Temptation Boogie
Carman Lyrics

I woke up Monday morning
The singer starts the song by recounting an incident that occurred on a Monday morning.

With my head all full of nothin'
The singer implies that he wasn't particularly paying attention when he woke up, and his mind was vacant or empty.

I went down to McDonald's
The singer informs the listener that he went to a fast-food restaurant called McDonald's.

To get me an Egg McMuffin
The artist specifies that he went to McDonald's to purchase an Egg McMuffin, which is a type of breakfast sandwich.

Still asleep yet wide awake
This line suggests that the artist was experiencing a state of alertness or wakefulness despite not being fully awake.

Around seven twenty - three,
This line gives a specific time when the incident in the song took place, which was around 7:23 AM.

When this loudmouth pushy businessman
The singer is describing a man he encountered at McDonald's, whom he perceives to be pushy and talkative.

Cut in front of me
The businessman rudely went ahead of the artist in line at the restaurant.

My eyes went cold, I clinched my fist,
The artist experienced a sense of anger towards the businessman, which he physically manifested through his facial expression and clenching of his fist.

I wanted to thump him good,
The artist admits that he wanted to physically harm the businessman who cut in front of him.

But then the spirit stopped me
This line suggests that the singer was able to resist the urge to act out aggressively because of a spiritual presence guiding him.

When I saw how it stood
The artist became aware of the situation's implications and the message he would be sending to others if he acted out.

The holy ghost reminded me
The singer attributes his ability to control his emotions to divine guidance from a spirit called the Holy Ghost.

I represent the Lord,
The singer understands that as a follower of the Christian faith, he must set an example of good behavior and morality.

And it would be hard to witness to him
The singer knows that acting out would make it difficult to relay a message of love and forgiveness to the businessman and others witnessing the event.

Stretched out on the floor
The artist is using a visual metaphor to describe what might have happened if he acted out physically, which would have caused the businessman harm.

CHORUS:
The song moves on to the chorus, introducing a repeated verse that serves as a catchy interlude.

Some people say "let it out"
The singer acknowledges that some people think it's okay to act out their emotions physically.

Some people say "hold it in"
Other people believe that one should suppress their emotions and not express them outwardly.

But Jesus says to crucify it
The artist believes that the appropriate response to negative emotions is to deny them and have self-control, following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

For that thing there is sin,
The artist firmly believes that giving in to negative emotions, such as anger or aggression, is sinful behavior.

And I was fighting with temptation
The artist admits to struggling with the temptation to act out physically against the rude businessman.

I was dueling with that thing
The singer describes the experience of fighting his negative impulses as a 'duel' with a challenging opponent.

Bondage and struggle
The artist uses the phrase 'bondage and struggle' to express the difficulties inherent in resisting temptations and negative emotions.

Is all that it will bring
The singer suggests that giving into temptation leads to negative consequences and entrapment.

Well, what's a soul to do
The singer poses a rhetorical question, indicating that the difficulties of resisting temptation are a universal, philosophical problem.

When it's face to face with sin?
The singer reinforces the idea that everyone faces temptation and has to decide how to respond to it.

He oughta pray not once but twice
The artist offers advice to the listener, suggesting that one must pray frequently and persistently to overcome temptations and negative emotions.

Put on the Mind of Christ
The artist uses a metaphor to describe the ideal behavior when faced with negative emotions or temptations, suggesting that one should make decisions according to the wisdom and teachings of Jesus Christ.

And get that sweet ol' victory again
The singer believes that if one follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, they will eventually overcome their negative impulses and achieve a 'sweet' victory.

Well, I grabbed my superman beach towel
The singer is transitioning to a new story, set at the beach.

QT Tanning lotion
The artist identifies a specific brand of tanning lotion that he used at the beach.

I thought I'd take a cruise
The artist decided to take a walk by the beach.

And catch some rays down by the ocean
The artist wanted to sunbathe while he was at the beach.

I had it all planned out
The singer had a specific agenda and expectations for his day at the beach.

To roast some burgers and some wienies
The artist had planned to prepare hot dogs and burgers to eat while he was at the beach.

But, when I arrived everything but the telephone poles
The singer expresses surprise and shock upon arriving at the beach and seeing how other people were dressed.

Was dressed up in bikinis
The singer specifically notes that the beach-goers were all wearing revealing swimsuits, which contrasts with his expectations.

I knew that there must be a way to please the Lord and still get tan
The singer is able to reconcile his religious views with the secular activity of sunbathing, and seeks to find a way to enjoy both simultaneously.

But I felt so stupid with my big ol' head stuck in the sand
The artist is embarrassed and self-conscious when he compares himself to the other beach-goers who are more comfortable and confident in their own skin.

CHORUS
The song returns to the chorus, repeating the message of self-discipline and reliance on religious faith to resist temptation.

You gotta pray for that victory again
The song concludes by reiterating the idea that prayer and religious faith are essential in resisting negative emotions and winning the battle against temptation.