Lies (Through The 80’s)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the groovy vibes of Lies (Through The 80’s) by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band from their 1980 album Chance, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This track, written by Denny Newman, kicks off the album with a punchy, synth-driven sound that screams early ’80s pop-rock. According to a review on ProgArchives, the song marks a shift for the band, with a “faster, female voice behind” and a modern pop-rock feel that some fans felt signaled the end of the classic Manfred Mann’s Earth Band era. The lyrics, as noted on Genius, paint a cynical picture of the decade’s promises, with lines like “We’re all gonna live out the Hollywood dream” contrasted by a kid lamenting, “Where is my place in this bright future?” It’s a social critique wrapped in catchy hooks, reflecting the band’s knack for blending prog-rock roots with mainstream appeal.

Another tidbit from ProgArchives reveals mixed fan reactions—some called Lies “irritating” and too commercial, while others praised its energy as a “rocker” and a strong opener. The song’s production, helmed by Manfred Mann and Trevor Rabin (who also played guitar), leaned into the synthetic sound of the era, with “intoxicating, invasive, spatial synth” that hit radio waves hard, as one reviewer recalled their first emotional encounter with it. On HitParade.ch, fans noted its chart performance, peaking at #36 in the Netherlands for four weeks in October 1980, with some calling it a “flotter Ohrwurm” (catchy earworm) that deserved more global chart love. The official video on YouTube, released in 2017, showcases the band’s retro aesthetic, complete with moody lighting and ’80s flair, giving Zoo Freaks a visual trip back in time.

Manfred Mann’s Earth Band was born from the vision of South African musician Manfred Sepse Lubowitz, known professionally as Manfred Mann. Born on October 21, 1940, in Johannesburg, Mann grew up in a Lithuanian Jewish family, studying music at the University of the Witwatersrand and playing jazz piano in local clubs. His opposition to apartheid drove him to the UK in 1961, where he adopted the pseudonym Manfred Mann (inspired by jazz drummer Shelly Manne) and began writing for Jazz News. In 1962, he teamed up with drummer and keyboardist Mike Hugg at Clacton Butlins Holiday Camp, forming the Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers, a blues-jazz outfit. This evolved into the pop-oriented Manfred Mann band, scoring hits in the ’60s. After that group split in 1969, Mann and Hugg experimented with the jazz-rock of Manfred Mann Chapter Three before Mann launched the Earth Band in 1971, blending progressive rock with covers like Bruce Springsteen’s Blinded By The Light, which topped charts in 1976.

The band’s eclectic style, driven by Mann’s distinctive Minimoog solos and jazz-inspired improvisations, has kept them touring and recording for decades, with founding member Mick Rogers still by Mann’s side. You can catch up with them on their official website, where they share tour dates and news, like the cancellation of their 2024 Hungary shows or the 1986 release of Criminal Tango on CD. Their Facebook page is a hub for fan chatter, with posts about albums like Watch and tributes to late bassist Pat King. While they don’t have an official Instagram, fans keep the vibe alive on X, sharing love for tracks like Lies. For deeper dives, check out fan communities like the Manfred Mann’s Earth Band Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and vinyl finds, or browse Discogs for rare releases.