In the earlier years of Queen, this song was regarded as one of the most impressive performances of a live show, often going over 8 minutes long. However over time the song eventually fell off the set-list, with the exception of The Works Tour. The song though was cut down to 3 minutes or less. At Wembley right before "Tear It Up," the beginning of the"Liar" guitar riff is played by Brian May.
During live performances, it was one of the very few songs when bass player John Deacon sang backing vocals,during the part where the band calls "all day long." in response to Mercury's lead. He mimics the promotional video for the song, where Deacon stands behind Freddie, and sings into his microphone. Also in live performances, Deacon also performs a short bass solo.
As confirmed by the transcription on EMI Music Publishing's Off The Record sheet music for the song, this is one of three Queen tracks, the others being "Now I'm Here" and "Under Pressure" (their collaboration with David Bowie), to feature a Hammond organ.
Liar
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Father, I have sinned
Try and help me, Father
Won't you let me in? Liar
Oh nobody believes me, liar
Ooh, why don't you leave me alone?
Sire I have stolen, stolen many times
Raised my voice in anger
Liar, oh everybody deceives me
Liar, ooh, why don't you leave me alone?
Liar, I have sailed the seas
Liar, from mars to mercury
Liar, I have drunk the wine
Liar, time after time
Liar, you're lying to me
Liar, you're lying to me
Father please forgive me
You know you'll never leave me
Please will you direct me in the right way
Liar liar liar liar
Liar that's what they keep calling me
Liar liar liar
Ooh, let me go
Listen, are you gonna listen?
Mama I'm gonna be your slave
All day long
Mama I'm gonna try behave
All day long
Mama I'm gonna be your slave
All day long
I'm gonna serve you 'til your dying day
All day long
I'm gonna keep you 'til your dying day
All day long
I'm gonna kneel down by your side and pray
All day long and pray
All day long and pray
All day long and pray
All day long, wow, all day long, wow
All day long, all day long, all day long
Yes, all day long, all day long, all day long, all day long, yeah
All day long, we have lift off, ow
All day long, all day long, all day long
Liar liar they never ever let you win
Liar liar everything you do is sin
Liar nobody believes you
Liar they bring you down before you begin
Ooh, now let me tell you this
So now you know you could be dead before they let you, uh
The lyrics of Queen’s song “Liar” present a dialogue between the singer and his father. He apologizes for his sins and seeks guidance to be led in the right way. However, he is being called a liar, and no one believes him. The lyrics take a dark and introspective turn as the singer confronts his inner demons. He admits to stealing, raising his voice in anger, and sailing the seas. He has drunk wine repeatedly, as the line “time after time” suggests, and yet he is still being called a liar. The singer’s desperation is palpable, as the chorus repeats the word “liar” several times.
The bridges in the song “Liar” showcase contrasting emotions. The first bridge features the promise of being obedient and humble, while the second bridge contains despair, as the singer is fighting a losing battle. The song ends on a note of resignation, as the singer realizes that he could die before anyone believes him. Overall, the lyrics of “Liar” are an allegory for the struggle for self-acceptance and the impact of societal pressure on individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
I have sinned dear, Father
Confessing to Father about his sins
Father, I have sinned
Acknowledging his wrongdoing to Father
Try and help me, Father
Requesting Father's guidance and support
Won't you let me in? Liar
Questioning why he's being called a liar and begging for forgiveness
Oh nobody believes me, liar
Feeling misunderstood and mistreated
Ooh, why don't you leave me alone?
Frustrated with the accusations and judgments
Sire I have stolen, stolen many times
Conceding to his repetitious thievery
Raised my voice in anger
Admitting to aggressive behavior
When I know I never should
Recognizing he should handle things differently
Liar, oh everybody deceives me
Feeling he's being made a scapegoat and unfairly targeted
Liar, ooh, why don't you leave me alone?
Asking again to be left alone to deal with his problems
Liar, I have sailed the seas
Boasting about various experiences to play up his image
Liar, from mars to mercury
Overembellishing his experiences for effect
Liar, I have drunk the wine
Bringing up more of his seemingly impressive feats
Liar, time after time
Emphasizing his many experiences as a means of validation
Liar, you're lying to me
Flipping the tables and claiming someone else is lying to him
Father please forgive me
Asking for Father's pardon again
You know you'll never leave me
Believing he can always depend on Father
Please will you direct me in the right way
Requesting Father's guidance once more
Liar liar liar liar
Stating the chorus again, continually protesting his innocence
Liar that's what they keep calling me
Feeling victimized by constant accusations
Listen, are you gonna listen?
Demanding that someone hear him out
Mama I'm gonna be your slave
Switching from addressing Father to Mama and pledging loyalty
All day long
Emphasizing that his devotion is constant
I'm gonna try behave
Promising to be obedient
I'm gonna serve you 'til your dying day
Promising to be a steadfast caretaker
I'm gonna keep you 'til your dying day
Vowing to never abandon Mama
I'm gonna kneel down by your side and pray
Offering Mama prayer and supplication
All day long and pray
Repeating the intent of his vow
All day long, wow, all day long, wow
Showing passion and enthusiasm for his commitment
All day long, all day long, all day long
Repeating again for effect
Yes, all day long, all day long, all day long, all day long, yeah
Confirming and validating his vow
All day long, we have lift off, ow
Emphasizing the takeoff of his commitment
Liar liar they never ever let you win
Continuing with the negative theme of the chorus
Liar liar everything you do is sin
Expressing bitterness and feeling condemnation
Liar nobody believes you
Being overwhelmed by alienation and exclusion
Liar they bring you down before you begin
Lamenting a lack of support and opportunity
Ooh, now let me tell you this
Introducing a new thought or idea
So now you know you could be dead before they let you, uh
Delivering a harsh truth or warning
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Mercury
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Matt-rq1gq
I have sinned dear Father
Father I have sinned
Try and help me Father
Won't you let me in?
Liar
Oh, nobody believes me
Liar
Why don't they leave me alone?
Sire, I have stolen
Stolen many times
Raised my voice in anger
When I know I never should
Liar
Oh, everybody deceives me
Liar
Why don't you leave me alone?
I have sailed the seas
(Liar)
From Mars to Mercury
(Liar)
I have drunk the wine
(Liar)
Time after time
Father please forgive me
You know you'll never leave me
Please, will you direct me in the right way?
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar
Look at what they've done to me
Everyday, ever night, all the time (Liar)
Let me go
Listen
Ooh you gotta listen
Mama I'm gonna be your slave
All day long
Mama I'm gonna try behave
All day long
Mama gonna be your slave
All day long
I'm gonna love you 'til your dying day
All day long
I'm gonna serve you 'til you dying day
All day long
I'm gonna love you 'til your dying day
All day long
I'm gonna kneel down by your side and pray
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
(Ah, yes, ah, oh yes, ah, we have lift off, oh yes)
All day long, all day long, all day long
Liar, liar, never ever let you win
Liar, liar everything you do is sin
Liar, nobody believes you
Liar, they bring you down before you begin
Ooh, let me tell you this
Ah, yes, ah
Before they let you
@imjuliet245
LYRICS
I have sinned dear Father
Father I have sinned
Try and help me Father
Won't you let me in?
Liar
Oh, nobody believes me
Liar
Why don't they leave me alone?
Sire, I have stolen
Stolen many times
Raised my voice in anger
When I know I never should
Liar
Oh, everybody deceives me
Liar
Why don't you leave me alone?
I have sailed the seas
(Liar)
From Mars to Mercury
(Liar)
I have drunk the wine
(Liar)
Time after time
Father please forgive me
You know you'll never leave me
Please, will you direct me in the right way?
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar
Look at what they've done to me
Everyday, ever night, all the time (Liar)
Let me go
Listen
Ooh you gotta listen
Mama I'm gonna be your slave
All day long
Mama I'm gonna try behave
All day long
Mama gonna be your slave
All day long
I'm gonna love you 'til your dying day
All day long
I'm gonna serve you 'til you dying day
All day long
I'm gonna love you 'til your dying day
All day long
I'm gonna kneel down by your side and pray
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
All day long
(Ah, yes, ah, oh yes, ah, we have lift off, oh yes)
All day long, all day long, all day long
Liar, liar, never ever let you win
Liar, liar everything you do is sin
Liar, nobody believes you
Liar, they bring you down before you begin
Ooh, let me tell you this
Ah, yes, ah
Before they let you
@Mario-nm2xw
I love how Freddie looks and points at you when he says Liar!. Like, yeah, i'm a liar, i'll be whatever my Queen tells me i am
@mia-luca8775
Speech:100 😂👏
@Sara-ut9zp
Supersonic women
@briana_patrick
That part is so hot
@gatoarabe2187
Gorillaz + Queen : legends
@ssupersic
Ikr (also this comment is so 😩👌)
@terrypie_innit01
Deacy: I can't sing.
Freddie: Liar!
@terrypie_innit01
@Sofia Arreaza thanks haha
@basskidjoshua9241
Hahaha I agree
@czvnndlcrz3203
@Sofia Arreaza me too HAHHAHHAHAA