"It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" is a 1936 popularsong written by Billy Mayhew,[1] 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[2] and re-issued on Victor 20-1595.[3] It was recorded in French by Cajun singer Cléoma Breaux in 1936 or 1937.[4] 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[update], in all there are 95 versions, including:
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.[10]
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.
