Les Fleur de Lys (sometimes The Fleur de Lys) was a British band originally… Read Full Bio ↴Les Fleur de Lys (sometimes The Fleur de Lys) was a British band originally formed in 1964 in Southampton. Known for their varied line-ups, only drummer Keith Guster was a member throughout their history. After finally disbanded in 1969, keyboardist Pete Sears went on to play with Sam Gopal then was a founding member of Jefferson Starship and went on to play with Hot Tuna, bassist Gordon Haskell replaced Greg Lake in King Crimson before going on a successful solo career, while guitarist Bryn Haworth recorded solo albums in the 1970s.

Although several of their singles are coveted by collectors of British 1960s rock, Les Fleur de Lys never came close to getting a hit. The group did release a number of fine singles in the mod-psychedelic style that has latterly become known as "freakbeat", with more of a soul music influence than most such British acts.

Les Fleur de Lys changed lineups about half a dozen times during their recording career, which roughly spanned 1965-1969. Drummer Keith Guster was the only constant member; some of the musicians passing through went on to commercial success with Journey and Jefferson Starship (keyboardist Pete Sears) and King Crimson (bassist Gordon Haskell). At the outset they recorded a couple of singles for the Immediate label that were produced by Jimmy Page (there remains some controversy about whether he played guitar on these as well). A cover of the Who's "Circles" featured the fluid, slightly distorted guitar lines that would become Les Fleur de Lys's most distinguishing characteristic. The 45s made no commercial impact, however, and Les Fleur de Lys helped sustain themselves in the late '60s by backing relocated South African singer Sharon Tandy.

Continuing to record intermittently on the side, the band managed a few decent slabs of freakbeat with "Hold On", "Mud in Your Eye", and their most psychedelic outing, the memorably titled "Gong with the Luminous Nose". As if the musical chairs of personnel weren't enough, they further confused record buyers with tracks issued under different names like Shyster and Chocolate Frog, as well as playing on singles by Tandy, Waygood Ellis, and John Bromley. One single issued under the moniker Rupert's People, the Procol Harum-like "Reflections of Charlie Brown", became a European hit of sorts; subsequent singles by Rupert's People, however, are not Les Fleur de Lys playing under an assumed name. They finally disbanded in 1969.

Keyboardist Pete Sears went on to play with Sam Gopal Dream then was a founding member of Jefferson Starship and went on to play with Hot Tuna, bassist Gordon Haskell replaced Greg Lake in King Crimson before going on a successful solo career, while guitarist Bryn Haworth recorded solo albums in the 1970s.

A compilation of their work was issued in 1996 under the name Reflections.

liar
Les Fleur De Lys Lyrics

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When you talk of love
You're thinkin' of
Somethin' in your mind
And you say it's me, that you can see
But I know you're blind

In an empty room with you
I feel that I'm alone

Hiding from your empty words
I'm listening to my own

I think you're just a liar
I think you're just a liar
I think you're just a liar
I think you're just a liar

There's another place, another face
That your mind can see
Someone who once said
That love was dead
Never knowing me

You can give yourself to me
The feelings you despise
I can see the madness there
Reflected in your eyes

I think you're just a liar
I think you're just a liar
I think you're just a liar
I think you're just a liar

I think you're just a liar
I think you're just a liar

I think you're just a liar
I think you're just a liar

Overall Meaning

The song's “Liar” by Les Fleur De Lys is about a deceptive lover who claims to be in love but the singer knows that they are lying. The singer understands that the person speaking of love has a romantic image in their mind and tries to project it onto the singer, but in reality, they are blind to the singer's true emotions. The singer is left alone listening to their own thoughts and feelings, hiding from the empty words of the liar. The liar tries to convince the singer that they are the one to love, but they know the liar is seeing someone else that they believe is better suited for them.

As the song progresses, the singer sees the madness in the liar's eyes and believes that they are not capable of true love. The liar can give all of themselves to the singer, but they despise any feelings that do not fit their idealized image. The singer sees through the liar's façade and calls them out for their untruthful behavior.

Overall, “Liar” is a song that expresses the frustrations of being with someone who is insincere and uses love as a tool for their own selfish desires. The singer is left questioning the motives and intentions of the liar, ultimately realizing that they are just a liar.

Line by Line Meaning

When you talk of love
When you express your feelings of love

You're thinkin' of
You are considering

Somethin' in your mind
Something that only exists in your imagination

And you say it's me, that you can see
And you claim that I am the object of your affections

But I know you're blind
But I understand that you are unable to see the truth

In an empty room with you
When I am alone with you

I feel that I'm alone
I feel isolated and disconnected

Hiding from your empty words
Avoiding your insincere and meaningless expressions

I'm listening to my own
I am focusing on my own thoughts and emotions

I think you're just a liar
I believe that you are dishonest

There's another place, another face
You are thinking of someone else