Temptation
Tom Waits Lyrics
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Everything is made from dreams
Time is made from honey slow and sweet
Only the fools know what it means
Temptation
Temptation
Temptation
I can't resist
I just know that she is made of smoke
But I've lost my way
She knows that I am broke
But that I must play
Temptation
Temptation, yeah
Temptation
I can't resist
Temptation
Temptation
Temptation
I just can't resist
Dutch pink and Italian blue
She is there and waiting for you
My will has disappeared
My confusion is oh-so clear
Temptation
Temptation
Temptation
I can't resist
Temptation
Temptation
Temptation
I can't resist
Rusted brandy in a diamond glass
Everything is made from dreams
Time is made from honey slow and sweet
Only the fools know what it means
Temptation
Temptation
Temptation
Temptation
Temptation
Temptation
Tom Waits's song Temptation is a bluesy anthem about succumbing to the lure of a seductive woman. The lyrics begin with the image of "rusted brandy in a diamond glass," which suggest a contrast between the old and the new, the decayed and the polished. The following line, "Everything is made from dreams," furthers this idea of illusion and fantasy, implying that the singer's attraction to this woman is based on a false perception. The next line, "Time is made from honey slow and sweet," speaks to the relentless patience of temptation and the pleasure it brings, but also implies that the sweetness of the moment will eventually pass. The final line of the stanza, "Only the fools know what it means," suggests that giving in to temptation may lead to a sense of foolishness, of having been taken in by something that was ultimately not worth pursuing.
The chorus repeats the word "temptation" three times before the singer admits, "I can't resist." This repetition reinforces the idea of the seductive power of this woman and the difficulty the singer has in resisting her pull.
The third stanza starts with the image of "Dutch pink and Italian blue," implying a sense of longing for far-off places and exotic experiences. The woman is "there and waiting" for the singer, suggesting that he is being lured into a world beyond his current reality. The following lines, "My will has disappeared/ My confusion is oh-so clear," indicate that the singer is both losing himself to the seduction and also finding a kind of clarity in his surrender.
Overall, the lyrics to Temptation are a meditation on the allure of desire, the difficulty of resisting temptation, and the way that temptation can both fascinate and ultimately disappoint us.
Line by Line Meaning
Rusted brandy in a diamond glass
Everything may look expensive and luxurious on the surface, but it could just be deceiving outer appearances masking something old and rusty underneath.
Everything is made from dreams
Illusions and fantasies are what comprise the groundwork for reality - not solid, palpable elements.
Time is made from honey slow and sweet
Time may be beautiful, but it is not eternal. It's a fleeting thing that appears beautiful and sweet but can also cause trouble.
Only the fools know what it means
Only the naive and ignorant believe they possess a true comprehension of reality.
I just know that she is made of smoke
I am aware she's unattainable, that she's ephemeral and though she seems present and substantive, she's not solid in any way.
But I've lost my way
I have veered off the path of stability and responsibility, and I am uncertain about where to go from here.
She knows that I am broke
She knows that I could never give her the wealth she covets, and I'm therefore not valuable to her in any serious way.
But that I must play
I'm not giving up, and I'm determined to stay in the game and try until I get what I want, regardless of that it might destroy me.
Dutch pink and Italian blue
Her appearance is deceitful, probably exaggerated with fake elements and a style that embodies a visually pleasing, but ultimately meaningless sense of fashion.
She is there and waiting for you
She's present, enticing and tempting in a way that I cannot resist or ignore, beckoning for me to come closer.
My will has disappeared
I've lost the capability of making sound judgment calls for myself, and I'm now completely under her spell and at her command.
My confusion is oh-so clear
Despite being hopelessly lost in her web, everything else in life seems to be more transparent and factual than ever before.
Temptation
The temptation to pursue her despite the odds and warning signs is too great.
Temptation, yeah
The temptation to pursue her is so great it's almost unbearable, but I'm determined to always pursue her.
Temptation
The temptation to chase her is a powerful force, one that blinds me to all else.
Temptation
The temptation is the main driving force, and everything else is dull when compared to her luxurious and playful energy.
Temptation
The pure, raw temptation of this situation envelops everything, leaving no room for any other thoughts or feelings.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oslaf Oirausu Ebutuoy
Rusted brandy in a diamond glass
Everything is made from dreams
Time is made from honey slow and sweet
Only the fools know what it means
Temptation, temptation, temptation
Oh, temptation, temptation, I can't resist
I know that she is made of smoke
But I've lost my wayy
She knows that I am broke
So that I must play
Temptation, temptation, temptation
Oh, whoa, temptation, temptation, I can't resist
Dutch pink and Italian blue
She is waiting there for you
My will has disappeared
Now my confusions oh so clear
Temptation, temptation, temptation
Whoa, whoa, temptation, temptation
I can't resist
Clue Vios
Rusted brandy in a diamond glass
everything is made from dreams
time is made from honey slow and sweet
only the fools know what it means
temptation, temptation, temptation
oh, temptation, temptation, I can't resist
I know that she is made of smoke
but I've lost my wayy
she knows that I am broke
so that I must play
temptation, temptation, temptation
oh, whoa, temptation, temptation, I can't resist
Dutch pink and Italian blue
she is waiting there for you
my will has disappeared
now my confusions oh so clear
temptation, temptation, temptation
whoa, whoa, temptation, temptation
I can't reisist
JP Colin Design
Tom Waits is a stone genius. His music is pure art and moving in a way that few types of music can match. This song reminds me of why I love being an artist.
Fanbladechopsuey
I vacillate between GENIUS and Exaggerated eccentricity every time I listen to Mr. Waits. Either way, great work, buddy. I've never not found something to appreciate within.
Jean
Exaggerated eccentricity is a good peg...theatrics. that's art. he takes it over that line knowing he'll get called for it. Ha!
Aidan Childers
Tom Waits may be the only man on Earth who sounds creepier when his voice is super high-pitched than when it's super deep.
Michael Chylewski
I need this song every once in while to keep me from getting insane.
Larry Linn
I need this song every once in while to keep insane.
Michael Chylewski
@Larry Linn 👍❤️
Edward J Trusky Jr
Is there anything better than Tom waits, on a Tuesday morning?
Robyn Stuckey
Love tom waits, good artist.
Oslaf Oirausu Ebutuoy
Rusted brandy in a diamond glass
Everything is made from dreams
Time is made from honey slow and sweet
Only the fools know what it means
Temptation, temptation, temptation
Oh, temptation, temptation, I can't resist
I know that she is made of smoke
But I've lost my wayy
She knows that I am broke
So that I must play
Temptation, temptation, temptation
Oh, whoa, temptation, temptation, I can't resist
Dutch pink and Italian blue
She is waiting there for you
My will has disappeared
Now my confusions oh so clear
Temptation, temptation, temptation
Whoa, whoa, temptation, temptation
I can't resist