I Never Lie
| "I Never Lie" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Zach Top | ||||
| from the album Cold Beer & Country Music | ||||
| Released | November 25, 2024 | |||
| Genre | Neotraditional country | |||
| Length | 3:45 | |||
| Label | Leo33 | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Carson Chamberlain | |||
| Zach Top singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "I Never Lie" on YouTube | ||||
"I Never Lie" is a song by American country music singer Zach Top from his debut studio album Cold Beer & Country Music. Top co-wrote the song with Carson Chamberlain and Tim Nichols, and was produced by Chamberlain. The song notably went viral on social media platform TikTok,[1] which led to it being released as the album's second single.[2]
Musical style and composition
[edit]"I Never Lie" is influenced by the neotraditional country style of country music popularized in the 1980s and 1990s.[3] Its comedic lyricism has been compared to George Strait's "Ocean Front Property" on the 1987 album of the same name.[4]
Critical reception
[edit]Country Central writer Will Chapman wrote that the song "as well as a classic voice, Zach Top has plenty of personality, and just like the greats he seeks to follow in the footsteps of, he puts a high premium on witty lyrics".[5] Taste of Country placed it at number 17 on its list of the Top 40 Country Songs of 2024.[6]
Live performances
[edit]Top performed "I Never Lie" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on April 30, 2025.[7]
Chart performance
[edit]The song debuted at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of September 28, 2024, and became Top's first entry on the chart.[8] It debuted at number 45 on Billboard Hot Country Songs.[9] In May 2025, it reached a peak of number two on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, and became Top's first number-one hit on the Canada Country chart.
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2024–2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia Country Hot 50 (The Music)[10] | 1 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] | 36 |
| Canada Country (Billboard)[12] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[13] | 24 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[14] | 2 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[15] | 6 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[16] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[17] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "Zach Top Performs Viral Hit 'I Never Lie' During Holler Nashville Session Presented by George Dickel | Holler". holler.country. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ "'I Never Lie' by Zach Top – Lyrics & Meaning | Holler". holler.country. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Edwards, Clayton (December 27, 2024). "Watch Lukas Nelson Deliver a Stunning Piano-Driven Cover of Zach Top's Hit "I Never Lie"". American Songwriter. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ Chapman, Will (April 7, 2024). "Zach Top, "Cold Beer & Country Music" - Album Review". Country Central. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Billy Dukes (December 5, 2024). "2024's Top 40 Country Songs Proves Country Music Is in Good Hands". Taste of Country. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Zach Top: I Never Lie: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". YouTube. April 30, 2025. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of September 28, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. August 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Countrytown Hot 50 – 2025, Week 14". Countrytown. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ "Zach Top Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ^ "Canada Country: Week of May 10, 2025". Billboard Canada. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "Zach Top Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ^ "Zach Top Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "Zach Top Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Zach Top – I Never Lie". Music Canada. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ "American single certifications – Zach Top – I Never Lie". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 18, 2025.