"I Wouldn't Lie" by Yarbrough & Peoples

Song#:  2772
Date:  06/28/1986
Debut:  98
Peak:  93
Weeks:  4
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  This duo was last on the charts in '84. They nearly cracked the Pop Top 40 for a second time with "Don't Waste My Time" (#1 R&B), the lead single from their third album Be a Winner. It took two years for them to come up with their fourth album, Guilty. The title track would be issued out as the first single and it did well at R&B reaching #2. Unfortunately, it didn't cross over to the Pop chart. This follow-up also did well at R&B peaking at #6. This time around the single was able to make it to the Pop chart, but very briefly. It bubbled around the bottom of the chart for a month before disappearing. It would be the duo's last song to reach the Pop chart. The album topped out at #13 R&B, but with little mainstream support the LP missed the Pop chart.

ReduxReview:  For this album, Y&P hooked up with a new songwriting/production team (Jimmy Hamilton & Maurice Hayes from the R&B group Prime Time) and the results were a bit mixed. The first single, "Guilty," was just okay. It got to #1 at R&B, but it really wasn't strong enough to make it at Pop. This second single was better. It had a good groove and nice production that wouldn't be out of place on a Gap Band album. The little keyboard lick is a bit Prince-like, but it works. I do wish the chorus had something to make it stand out more from the verses. Basically, this is just the same long groove under the verse and chorus, so when that happens there needs to be something to make the chorus pop and I'm missing that here. Otherwise, it's a fine groove that should have done better on the chart.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  This duo of Calvin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples would get one more R&B charting single from Guilty. After everything with the album was wrapped up, the pair would choose to call it quits and leave the spotlight. They would marry in 1987 and make the move back to their original hometown of Dallas. There they would perform shows on occasion and would start their own production company. Later in 2007, the couple would secure roles in the off-Broadway production Blind Lemon Blues. Both would serve as musical arrangers and also perform on stage. Peoples would be part of the ensemble cast while Yarbrough would portray blues legend Lead Belly. The show received positive notices and would return for another run in 2009.

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