I Told Myself A Lie

"I Told Myself A Lie" by Clyde McPhatter

Picture the close of the 1950s, when one of the most influential and beautiful voices in the history of rhythm and blues was crafting emotional, sophisticated records. Clyde McPhatter was a pioneering soul and R&B singer, a founding figure whose extraordinary voice influenced generations of artists. "I Told Myself A Lie" showcased that remarkable voice in a heartfelt ballad about self-deception in love, a beautiful example of his emotional, sophisticated style.

A Pioneering Voice

Clyde McPhatter stood as one of the most important and influential figures in the development of rhythm and blues and soul music. He had been a founding member of the Drifters and had sung lead with other groups before launching a successful solo career, his beautiful, expressive tenor influencing countless singers who followed. His emotional, sophisticated style helped shape the sound of R&B as it evolved toward soul. By 1959 he was an established solo star, and "I Told Myself A Lie" showcased his remarkable voice. His pioneering, influential voice made him one of the genre's most important early figures.

A Heartfelt Ballad of Self-Deception

"I Told Myself A Lie" was a heartfelt ballad exploring the theme of self-deception in love, the way people lie to themselves about their feelings or a relationship. McPhatter delivered it with his beautiful, expressive tenor, bringing genuine emotion to the reflective theme. The arrangement carried the sophisticated, polished R&B sound of the era, providing an elegant setting for his remarkable voice. That beautiful, emotional delivery was the song's calling card, a poignant exploration of the lies we tell ourselves about love.

A Modest Chart Run

On the Billboard Hot 100, "I Told Myself A Lie" had a modest run. It debuted at number 97 on April 20, 1959 and held that position for a second week before climbing to number 76, then reaching its peak of number 70 on May 11, 1959. The song spent five weeks on the chart in total. The modest showing belied McPhatter's enormous importance and influence, a fine example of his emotional, sophisticated style during his successful solo period.

Part of an Influential Legacy

Clyde McPhatter's legacy is one of the most influential in the history of R&B and soul, his beautiful voice shaping the development of the music. "I Told Myself A Lie" is a fine example of his emotional, sophisticated style, a showcase for his remarkable tenor. His status as a pioneering R&B voice rests on his enormous influence on the genre. For lovers of vintage R&B and of McPhatter's beautiful voice, the song remains a poignant and rewarding listen.

The Roots of Soul

The song reflects Clyde McPhatter's crucial role in the development of soul music, as he was among the artists who bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and the emerging soul sound. His emotional, gospel-influenced singing style, full of feeling and expressive nuance, helped lay the foundation for soul as it would develop in the 1960s. Countless later singers drew on his pioneering approach, making him one of the most influential vocalists in the history of the music. "I Told Myself A Lie" reflects that emotional, sophisticated style, a beautiful ballad that showcases the voice that helped shape soul. The song stands as an example of McPhatter's enduring influence and the beauty of his remarkable talent. Though he is less widely remembered today than some of the artists he influenced, his contribution to the development of soul music was immense, and the singers who followed owed a profound debt to his pioneering, emotionally expressive style. His beautiful tenor helped establish the vocabulary of soul singing that would define the genre for decades to come.

Press play and hear the beautiful, influential voice that helped to shape soul music. Some singers change everything that comes after them.

"I Told Myself A Lie" — Clyde McPhatter's singular moment on the 1950s charts.