Written by Mick Leeson and Peter Vale, and produced by Josh Deutsch, it was released in August 1992 as the debut single from the duo's first album, Duophonic (1992).

The song reached number-one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in November 1992,[1] and was also number one in New Zealand, Germany, Austria and Zimbabwe.

AllMusic editor Alex Henderson felt that Charles & Eddie "shows a great deal of promise on smooth pop-soul offerings" like "Would I Lie to You?

[4] Larry Flick from Billboard noted that the duo "is quickly picking up pop radio adds with this delightful twirl into retro-R&B territory.

Rich lead vocals are supported by Motown-styled harmonies, rumbling Hammond organ fills, and an insinuating, live drum beat.

[6] Randy Clark from Cash Box stated that "the two still manage to create a modern sound through production techniques and danceable beats".

[11] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote that "one of soul afficionados' [sic] wildest dreams: a duet between Smokey Robinson and the late Marvin Gaye.

"[12] Neville Farmer from Music Week remarked that it "seemed like a one-off, a throw back to the classic soul style which stuck out like a sore thumb in the midst of the electronic techno filling the charts.

"[13] Terry Staunton from NME named it "perhaps one of the most accomplished and enjoyable mainstream pop singles of the year, finely-tuned soul crooning in the tradition of Sam & Dave or James & Bobby Purify.

[20] Its songwriters, Mick Leeson and Peter Vale, received the 1992 Ivor Novello award in the category for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

[67] Gibbons co-produced the song with Colin Hanley, while Wez Clarke mixed the track with mastering from Nick Bennett.

French DJs David Guetta and Cedric Gervais, and American singer Chris Willis released a cover of the song titled "Would I Lie to You".