Caterina Valente (born January 14, 1931 in Paris) is an Italian-born singer… Read Full Bio ↴Caterina Valente (born January 14, 1931 in Paris) is an Italian-born singer, dancer, and actress. She comes from an Italian artist family; her father Giuseppe was a well-known accordion player, her mother, Maria Valente, a musical clown. She had three siblings, of whom Silvio Francesco was also active in show business.

In 1952 she married juggler Erik van Aro (Gerd Eric Horst Scholz). He recognized her talent and accompanied her in her initial years of worldwide success, although they later divorced. In 1953, she made her first recordings with Kurt Edelhagen. Soon afterwards she achieved great success with songs like "Malagueña", "The Breeze and I", and "Dreh dich nicht um" with the Werner Müller orchestra. In 1955 she was featured on the "Colgate Comedy Hour" with Gordon MacRae. Between 1966 and 1972 she was a frequent guest on the Dean Martin Show. In 1972, she married the British pianist Roy Budd; they had a son, Alexander, but they divorced in 1979.

In Germany she was a major performer of Schlager music. There she recorded Cole Porter's "I love Paris" i.e. "Ganz Paris träumt von der Liebe", which sold more than 500,000 copies in (1954.) Like in other countries where she was popular, some in Germany mistakenly consider her a German singer.

Over the years, she has recorded or performed with many international stars, including Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Buddy Rich, Sy Oliver, Claus Ogerman, and Chet Baker.

In 2001, she released a new album Girltalk with harpist Catherine Michel. She is also the mother of singer Eric van Aro, Jr.

temptation
Caterina Valente Lyrics

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You came, I was alone
I should have known you were temptation
You smiled, luring me on
My heart was gone, you were temptation
It would be thrilling
If you were willing
If it can never be
Pity me for you are temptation and I am yours

Here is my heart, take it and say
We'll never part
I'm just a slave
Only a slave to you, temptation
You were born to be kissed
I can't resist.

You are temptation and I am yours
Here is my heart, take it and say
We'll never part

I'm just a slave
Only a slave to you, temptation

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Caterina Valente's "Temptation" are a story of love and longing. The song begins with the singer lamenting her single and lonely state before being enticed by the object of her desire. She acknowledges that she should have known he was temptation and that he has won her heart with just a smile. She acknowledges that it would be exciting if he were willing to be with her, but she knows it can never be. She pitifully resigns herself to being a slave to him and his lure.

The song paints temptation as an irresistible force that cannot be fought against. Even though the singer knows that her object of desire is not good for her, she cannot help but be drawn to him. She declares that he was born to be kissed and that she cannot resist him, for he is temptation and she is his slave.

The lyrics' power comes from their ability to capture the all-consuming desire that people feel towards someone they know they should resist. The song's melody, combined with Valente's delivery, further reinforces the overwhelming nature of temptation, making it clear that it is something impossible to resist.

Line by Line Meaning

You came, I was alone
When you saw me alone, you made the decision to approach me

I should have known you were temptation
I knew from the beginning that you were going to lead me astray

You smiled, luring me on
You used your charm and good looks to entice me and draw me closer to you

My heart was gone, you were temptation
You had taken control of my heart, and I could not resist you

It would be thrilling
I would find it exciting and exhilarating

If you were willing
If you were open to being with me

If it can never be
If our relationship can never progress beyond mere temptation

Pity me for you are temptation and I am yours
I am at your mercy, and you are the one in control of our relationship

Here is my heart, take it and say
I am offering myself to you, heart and soul

We'll never part
I hope that we will be together forever

I'm just a slave
I am completely devoted to you

Only a slave to you, temptation
I am powerless against your charms and allure

You were born to be kissed
You are irresistible, and meant to be kissed

I can't resist.
I cannot resist the temptation to be with you

You are temptation and I am yours
You are the one tempting me, and I am at your mercy

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LARRY JOHNSON, LARRY CURTIS JOHNSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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