This was originally written as a ballad by Phil Lynott, before the guitarist Brian Robertson and drummer Brian Downey rocked it up.
The lyrics, which were written by Lynott, tell of a man warning his loved one not to believe his words as he cannot be relied upon. The chorus sums it up: "Don't believe a word/For Words are only spoken/Your Heart is like a promise made to be broken."
Bass & Vocals - Phil Lynott
Guitar & Vocals - Gary Moore
Guitar - Scott Gorham
Drums - Cozy Powell
Keyboards - Don Airey
Lyrics
Don't believe me if I tell you,
not a word of this is true.
Don't believe me if I tell you,
especially if I tell you that I'm in love with you.
Don't believe me if I tell you
that I wrote this song for you.
There just might be some other silly, pretty girl
I'm singing it to.
Don't believe a word,
'cause words are only spoken.
And a heart is like a promise,
meant to be broken.
Don't believe a word,
for words can tell lies.
And lies are no comfort
when there's tears in your eyes.
Don't believe me if I tell you,
not a word of this is true.
Don't believe me if I tell you,
especially if I tell you that I'm in love with you.
Don't believe a word.
Lord, don't believe a word.
Don't believe me, don't believe me.
Oh, not a single word.
Oh, yeah.
Songwriters: Philip Parris Lynott
Don't Believe a Word lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group