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"It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" is a 1936 popular song written by Billy Mayhew, introduced early that year on records by many dance bands including Dick Robertson on the 78rpm record Champion 40106, and later popularized by Fats Waller on Victor 25342 and re-issued on Victor 20-1595. It was recorded in French by Cajun singer Cléoma Breaux in 1936 or 1937. Four further recordings of the song were made in 1936, namely by Freddy Ellis and His Orchestra (April), Victor Young and His Orchestra (April), Elton Britt (September), Roy Smeck and His Serenaders and Vera Lynn.

Later versions

As of 2019, in all there are 95 versions, including:

• The tune was revived in 1955 by Somethin' Smith and the Redheads, reaching number 7 on the Billboard charts in that year.
• It was later a Top 40 country hit for Slim Whitman, reaching #21 on the 'Top Country Singles' chart in 1971, from the album of the same name.
• John Denver tells a story about the song and does a cover in his 1978 album, Live at the Sydney Opera House (RCA Victor VPL1-7167).
• Gerry Monroe (a number 13 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1971)
• Billie Holiday
• The Ink Spots
• Brent Spiner
• Floyd Vivino
• Tony Bennett (US #99 in 1964)
• Bobbi Martin
• Lenny Breau
• Buddy Greco
• Steve Goodman
• The Quebe Sisters Band
• Ann Breen
• Jerry Murad and the Harmonicats
• Bobby Vinton
• Patti Page
• Vera Lynn
• George Maharis
• Naomi Akimoto
• Asylum Street Spankers

Later uses

• Originally a waltz, during the British Dixieland revival in the 1950s and 1960s this melody was often played in fast 4/4 time, notably recorded by the Kenny Ball Band.
• In the 2010 role-playing game Fallout: New Vegas, The Ink Spots rendition of the song can be heard on the in-game radio.
• A private recording exists of Elvis Presley singing part of the song over an orchestral recording by Nelson Riddle.
• In season 2, episode 4 of the New Zealand TV series Seven Periods With Mr Gormsby, "Dancing with the Staff", the titular character performs a version of the song at the school dance.

References

1. "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie - Fats Waller | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-08-22.
2. "Victor 25342 (Black label (popular) 10-in. double-faced)". Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
3. "ARCHIVE OF RECORDED 78 RPM RECORDS". 78records.cdbpdx.com. Retrieved 2016-08-22.
4. Neal Pomea. "Joe Falcon & Cleoma Breaux". Retrieved 2017-06-22.
5. Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 779.
6. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 383.
7. "The Other John Denver Discography". Math.hmc.edu. Archived from the original on 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2016-08-22.
8. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 375. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
9. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
10. Fallout New Vegas Radio - It's A Sin To Tell A Lie, retrieved 2022-02-08

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