"Love Lies" is a song recorded by American singers Khalid and Normani for the film Love, Simon. It was released through RCA Records on February 14, 2018, as the second single from the film's soundtrack, which was curated by Jack Antonoff. The song was written by Khalid, Normani, Tayla Parx, Jamil Chammas, and Ryan Vojtesak, with production handled by Charlie Handsome and Digi. It marked Normani's first single release outside of Fifth Harmony.^[2][3]

"Love Lies" reached number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, and also peaked within the top ten in six additional countries. It was the first duet with two African-American singers to reach number one on the US Mainstream Top 40 chart in over 20 years. The song also peaked at number two on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart. It was certified 5× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for selling over five million units; and was also certified diamond in Brazil, 5× platinum in Australia, and platinum or higher in five additional countries.

The song broke the record for the highest first-week position for a debut single by a girl group member. It was the top R&B song of 2018, according to BuzzAngle Music, and was the most Shazammed R&B song of 2018. "Love Lies" spent 45 weeks on Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart, which tied the record at the time for most weeks on the chart. In 2019, Billboard named it the seventh biggest song of the 2010s decade on the Mainstream Top 40 chart. In 2021, the song was revealed to be the fifth most thumbed up duet on Pandora, of all time.^[4]

Normani first hinted at a possible collaboration between her and Khalid via an Instagram post in July 2017.^[5] Khalid also opened up about the collaboration during an interview with MTV News the next month.^[6][7] Later, Normani confirmed to Billboard that they were working together on collaboration ideas, calling him "an important artist and a great friend".^[8] She divulged to Kode in an interview in October 2017, when asked to share information on the collaboration:

Khalid and I have been wanting to work together for some time. We actually got into the studio and were excited about a record we wrote together along with Tayla Parx. It was all one huge vibe session. We wanted to create something that our peers would fall in love with. I remember him telling me "I want this to be my favorite record, if I were listening, I want it to be something I vibe with that's just dope," which is something I relate to because I listen to our song every day. Issa vibe. But the greatest part of it all is that were genuinely two friends that created something special that were so proud of. We're in two different countries on tour but we still text each other sometimes like, "but that record though..."^[9]

The duet was officially announced on January 16, 2018.^[10][11] On February 12, 2018, Normani posted a photograph of her and Khalid, captioning the photo: "2/14".^[12] Similarly, Khalid posted the single artwork with the same caption.^[13] The two artists also teased a few lyrics from the song, with Khalid replying Normani's announcement with "tell me where your love lies", to which Normani replied: "waste the day and spend the night".^[14] Normani spoke to Zane Lowe on his Beats 1 radio show about the song, saying that recording it was a "growing process" for her. "I feel like people are actually getting like a sense of who I actually am," she said. "Being in the studio and partnering with Khalid, it actually tells me more about myself that I didn't necessarily know was even there. This is definitely [a] growing process and I can't wait. I'm so excited for the journey."^[15]

Musically, "Love Lies" is an R&B,^[1] song that contains elements of snap, as well as synths and vocal effects. The song's verses are resigned and have a quaint 1980s sound, laden with a simple finger-click beat and drums. Khalid and Normani's vocals are both in E♭ minor.^[16]

Nina Braca of Billboard wrote a positive review of the song, saying: "The romantically curious lyrics perfectly compliment Normani's smooth vocals over a simple guitar riff and slow pop beat."^[17] Hugh McIntyre of Fuse deemed the song "a laid-back R&B affair so mature it's difficult to believe the artists behind it are so young and still just getting started in their respective careers". He called the production "a natural progression" for Khalid and something "not far from Normani's comfort zone", and displaying herself as a ”sex symbol”. He also praised the guitar loop, calling it "a nice touch on a beat that is fairly sparse, and at times, nonexistent", writing that "it helps this song stand out among the hundreds of other similar tracks".^[18] Sam Damshenas of Gay Times described it as "incredibly catchy and addictive".^[19] Mike Wass of Idolator opined that "the dreamy mid-tempo anthem showcases her voice and hints at the R&B/pop direction of her side-project".^[20]

Billboard's critics' list placed it second on "Every Fifth Harmony Solo Single, Ranked" in March 2018,^[21] while "Love Lies" topped Billboard's critics' list on "Every Khalid collaboration, Ranked" in April 2019.^[22] Furthermore, Vanity Fair mentioned it among a group of "genre-averse" pop songs that blended multiple elements from other genres, and defined 2018 in music, and stated that "Love Lies" along with the other listed songs opened the door for ensuing genre-blending smash hits like "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus.^[23] Former United States president Barack Obama named the song among his favorites of 2018 on social media.^[24]

The song's music video premiered on February 16, 2018.^[50] It was directed by filmmakers Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz. The video is situated in Downtown Los Angeles. Khalid plays a valet worker at a local hotel while Normani acts as a superstar staying there. It started with the two texting, they plan to meet each other in their "favorite room". Normani later arrives at the scene in a fancy car, Khalid opens her door and she heads up to her room, in which she showed off her dance moves in front of a window, as Khalid enjoys the performance from a nearby rooftop.^[51][52][53] It ended with the two celebrating with love messages via text.^[54] As of January 2022, the music video has reached over 217 million views.

The two artists performed "Love Lies" for the first time at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, on April 10, 2018.^[71] On May 20, 2018, Khalid and Normani performed the song again at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.^[72] The performance went viral on social media, generating positive feedback from multiple publications and fans,^[73][74] who commended Normani's turn during the show, comparing it to Beyoncé.^[75] They also received a standing ovation from K-pop group BTS.^[76] While several other celebrities such as Lily Allen,^[77] Zendaya,^[78] Jennifer Hudson,^[79] and Anita Baker,^[80] took to Twitter to praise the performance.

The two artists have since performed the song together during Khalid's sets at 2019 Coachella,^[81] 2018 Lollapalooza,^[82] 2018 IHeartRadio Jingle Ball,^[83] and during Normani's opening set at Ariana Grande's Sweetener World Tour in Los Angeles, California.^[84]

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[85]

• Khalid – vocals, songwriting
• Normani Kordei Hamilton – vocals, songwriting
• Jamil Chammas – production
• Charlie Handsome – production
• Serban Ghenea – mix engineering
• John Hanes – engineering