Heaven 17
Heaven 17 is a British synthpop band originating in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England that was formed in 1980, having much 80s success with their electronic sound. Taking their name from a fictional group mentioned in Anthony Burgess's novel A Clockwork Orange (where 'The Heaven Seventeen' are at number 4 in the charts with 'Inside'), Heaven 17 formed when Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware split from their earlier group, The Human League, and devised the production company British Electric Foundation (B.E.F.). Read Full BioHeaven 17 is a British synthpop band originating in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England that was formed in 1980, having much 80s success with their electronic sound. Taking their name from a fictional group mentioned in Anthony Burgess's novel A Clockwork Orange (where 'The Heaven Seventeen' are at number 4 in the charts with 'Inside'), Heaven 17 formed when Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware split from their earlier group, The Human League, and devised the production company British Electric Foundation (B.E.F.).
Shortly after, they recruited their good friend and photographer Glenn Gregory on vocals to complete their lineup for Heaven 17. Contrary to popular belief, they were not 'New Romantics' per se and had different visual characteristics than groups such as Spandau Ballet and the Culture Club. Like The Human League, Heaven 17 heavily used synthesizers and drum machines while taking influence from the minimalist electronica music of the 70s.
They had a few minor hits in their early days, including the song "Play To Win" that featured on the album 'Penthouse and Pavement'. Their debut single '(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang' from the same album attracted some attention, became a left-wing anthem for a while, and was banned by the BBC because of its overtly political lyrics, but it still reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.
Major chart success eluded them until the single 'Temptation' (in which they were augmented by the vocalist Carol Kenyon) reached number 2 in the UK charts in summer 1983. Other songs from the same album, The Luxury Gap, also charted though not as high - 'Come Live With Me' reached number 5 in the UK, 'Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry' reached number 17, and 'Let Me Go', reaching 41 in November 1982. The album itself charted at their best ever position, number four.
At the end of 1983, the band helped re-launch Tina Turner's solo career, producing and providing backing vocals on her debut hit 'Let's Stay Together'. 1984 featured the release of the moderately successful How Men Are, which reached number 12.
The band also worked on the Band Aid single at the end of 1984, with Gregory supplying vocals alongside Midge Ure and Sting. However, they did not perform at Live Aid the following year.
Pleasure One (featuring the single 'Trouble') appeared in 1986 and it was followed up in 1988 with Teddy Bear, Duke & Psycho (featuring the single 'Train Of Love In Motion'). The early 90's were a quiet period for the band and they wouldn't work together as Heaven 17 until 1996's Bigger Than America. In the preceding years, Marsh and Ware produced a second B.E.F. album to 1981's original Music of Quality and Distinction and Gregory formed the band Ugly. Ware became an in-demand producer, working for the likes of Terence Trent D'Arby, Alison Moyet and Erasure. 2005 saw the release of the long-awaited Before After; the album having a much more contemporary dance sound compared to previous albums.
Shortly after, they recruited their good friend and photographer Glenn Gregory on vocals to complete their lineup for Heaven 17. Contrary to popular belief, they were not 'New Romantics' per se and had different visual characteristics than groups such as Spandau Ballet and the Culture Club. Like The Human League, Heaven 17 heavily used synthesizers and drum machines while taking influence from the minimalist electronica music of the 70s.
They had a few minor hits in their early days, including the song "Play To Win" that featured on the album 'Penthouse and Pavement'. Their debut single '(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang' from the same album attracted some attention, became a left-wing anthem for a while, and was banned by the BBC because of its overtly political lyrics, but it still reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.
Major chart success eluded them until the single 'Temptation' (in which they were augmented by the vocalist Carol Kenyon) reached number 2 in the UK charts in summer 1983. Other songs from the same album, The Luxury Gap, also charted though not as high - 'Come Live With Me' reached number 5 in the UK, 'Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry' reached number 17, and 'Let Me Go', reaching 41 in November 1982. The album itself charted at their best ever position, number four.
At the end of 1983, the band helped re-launch Tina Turner's solo career, producing and providing backing vocals on her debut hit 'Let's Stay Together'. 1984 featured the release of the moderately successful How Men Are, which reached number 12.
The band also worked on the Band Aid single at the end of 1984, with Gregory supplying vocals alongside Midge Ure and Sting. However, they did not perform at Live Aid the following year.
Pleasure One (featuring the single 'Trouble') appeared in 1986 and it was followed up in 1988 with Teddy Bear, Duke & Psycho (featuring the single 'Train Of Love In Motion'). The early 90's were a quiet period for the band and they wouldn't work together as Heaven 17 until 1996's Bigger Than America. In the preceding years, Marsh and Ware produced a second B.E.F. album to 1981's original Music of Quality and Distinction and Gregory formed the band Ugly. Ware became an in-demand producer, working for the likes of Terence Trent D'Arby, Alison Moyet and Erasure. 2005 saw the release of the long-awaited Before After; the album having a much more contemporary dance sound compared to previous albums.
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Temptation
Heaven 17 Lyrics
I've never been closer
I've tried to understand
That certain feeling
Carved by another's hand
But it's too late to hesitate
We can't keep on living like this
Leave no track
Don't look back
(All I desire)
Temptation
(Keep climbing higher and higher)
Temptation
(Adorable creatures)
Temptation
(With unacceptable features)
Temptation
(Trouble is coming)
Temptation
(It's just the high cost of loving)
Temptation
(You can take it or leave it)
Temptation
(But you'd better believe it)
You've got to make me an offer
That cannot be ignored
So let's head for home now
Everything I have is yours
Step by step and day by day
Every second counts I can't break away
Leave no trace
Hide your face
(All I desire)
Temptation
(Keep climbing higher and higher)
Temptation
(You can take it or leave it)
Temptation
(But you'd better believe it)
Step by step and day by day
Every second counts I can't break away
Keep us from temptation
Keep us from temptation
Keep us from temptation
Lead us not into temptation
(All I desire)
Temptation
(Keep climbing higher and higher)
Temptation
(Adorable creatures)
Temptation
(With unacceptable features)
Temptation
(Trouble is coming)
Temptation
(It's just the high cost of loving)
Temptation
(You can take it or leave it)
Temptation
(But you'd better believe it)
You've got to make me an offer
That cannot be ignored
So let's head for home now
Everything I have is yours
Step by step and day by day
Every second counts I can't break away
Leave no trace
Hide your face
(Trying to find it)
Temptation
(You've got to get up behind me)
Temptation
(Put your dime in the hot slot)
Temptation
(But it's a million to one shot)
Temptation
(You think that you're right now)
Temptation
(You're going to fake it tonight now)
Temptation
(Give me a breakdown)
Temptation
(Because it's time for a shakedown)
(Temptation)
It's just temptation
(Temptation)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY JOEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1983 {May 15th} "Temptation" by Heaven 17 peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on the United Kingdom's Official Top 100 Singles* chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "True" by Spandau Ballet...
"Temptation" reached #3 in Ireland and #11 in Germany...
Between 1981 and 1998 the Sheffield, England band had eighteen records on the U.K. Singles chart, three made the Top 10 with the above "Temptation" being their biggest hit...
Besides "Temptation", their other two Top 10 records were "Come Live With Me" {#5 in 1983} and a re-mix of "Temptation" with Brothers In Rhythm {#4 in 1992}...
* And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the U.K. Singles' Top 10 on May 15th, 1983:
At #3. "Candy Girl" by New Edition
#4. "Dancing Tight" by "Galaxy featuring Phil Fear
#5. "Can't Get Used To Losing You" by The Beat
#6. "(Keep Feeling) Fascination" by The Human League
#7. "Our Lips Are Sealed" by The Fun Three
#8. "Pale Shelter" by Tears For Fears
#9. "Words" by F. R. David
#10. "Blind Vision" by Blancmange
Bob Boberson
Even with Glenn Gregory's unique voice - even he realizes the impact Carol has on this song. She simply crushes the vocal with a sensual seduction underscoring a triumph power. Such a great commanding tune from the boys of Sheffield.
townclubber
WOW! 30 years later it`s still fabulous!! Remember when it came out back in the good old days of REAL pop music.
Diane Kawulok
@Tim Richardson 42 years ago now..
Tim Richardson
Jeepres, is it really that long ago!?
AngelEyes
Still totally fuckin magic. The 80s were over waaaaaay too quickly for my liking.
ALFAL-PHA BITS
AngelEyes did you get to live through all of it like me?
1Mehring1
One of the only really intelligent English language songs of the entire decade IMHO
David Chávez Echevarría
Linda canción ochentera!! Grandes voces!!
Capri Corn
Wonderful song and graet voices! I LOVE IT!
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1983 {May 15th} "Temptation" by Heaven 17 peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on the United Kingdom's Official Top 100 Singles* chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "True" by Spandau Ballet...
"Temptation" reached #3 in Ireland and #11 in Germany...
Between 1981 and 1998 the Sheffield, England band had eighteen records on the U.K. Singles chart, three made the Top 10 with the above "Temptation" being their biggest hit...
Besides "Temptation", their other two Top 10 records were "Come Live With Me" {#5 in 1983} and a re-mix of "Temptation" with Brothers In Rhythm {#4 in 1992}...
* And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the U.K. Singles' Top 10 on May 15th, 1983:
At #3. "Candy Girl" by New Edition
#4. "Dancing Tight" by "Galaxy featuring Phil Fear
#5. "Can't Get Used To Losing You" by The Beat
#6. "(Keep Feeling) Fascination" by The Human League
#7. "Our Lips Are Sealed" by The Fun Three
#8. "Pale Shelter" by Tears For Fears
#9. "Words" by F. R. David
#10. "Blind Vision" by Blancmange