Diana Krall was born into a musical family in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Ca… Read Full Bio ↴Diana Krall was born into a musical family in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada (on November 16, 1964). She began learning the piano at the age of four. In high school, she started playing in a small jazz group. At the age of fifteen, she started playing regularly in several Nanaimo restaurants. She also spent some time in Toronto studying with Canadian Jazz great, Don Thompson (Bass/Piano) and with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts she moved to the U.S to continue studies and develop her career.

Her playing attracted the attention of bass player Ray Brown, who brought her into touch with influential teachers and producers. At the age of seventeen, she won a scholarship from the Vancouver Jazz Festival to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After three terms she moved to Los Angeles to study with Jimmy Rowles, with whom she also began to sing. In 1990, Krall relocated to New York. She is married to British musician Elvis Costello.

Temptation
Diana Krall Lyrics

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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
I can't resist
Well I know that he is made of smoke
But I've lost my way

He knows that I am broke
But I must play
Temptation, oh temptation, temptation
I can't resist
Dutch pink and Italian blue
He's there waiting for you
My will has disappeared
Now confusion is oh so clear
Temptation, temptation, temptation
I can't resist

Temptation, temptation, temptation
I can't resist

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Diana Krall's song "Temptation" speak to the irresistible pull of temptation, and the danger it represents. The first stanza describes a scene of opulence and luxury, with "rusted brandy in a diamond glass" symbolizing the decay that lurks beneath even the most glittering surfaces. The line "everything is made from dreams" suggests that this world is a fantasy, a product of our imagination, and that the temptations we face are similarly intangible, yet no less powerful.

Next, the song speaks to the nature of time and how it moves, often too slowly for our liking, but sweet when we're consumed by temptation. The line "only the fools know what it means" refers to how we often become trapped in the moment of temptation, unable to see the consequences that await us. The chorus that follows underscores this theme of being unable to resist the pull of temptation, no matter how well we know the risks.

The second half of the song speaks to the specific temptation being faced: the allure of a man who is ephemeral and smoke-like, a symbol of impermanence and uncertainty. The singer is aware that she has lost her way and that the man is aware of her vulnerability, but she cannot resist the pull of the temptation, described as "Dutch pink and Italian blue." Ultimately, the confusion and turmoil caused by temptation prove overwhelming, as Diana Krall repeats the refrain "temptation, temptation, temptation, I can't resist."

Line by Line Meaning

Rusted brandy in a diamond glass
Indulging in things that are no longer enjoyable, represented by a luxury item that has lost its shine.

Everything is made from dreams
Life is a complex weave of desires and aspirations, each thread contributing to the greater tapestry.

Time is made from honey slow and sweet
Time should be savored like a delicious treat, enjoyed slowly and without haste, to truly appreciate its value.

Only the fools know what it means
Only the naive can fully comprehend the depth and complexity of existence, unencumbered by excessive knowledge or thought.

Temptation, temptation, temptation
The lure of potential pleasure or reward, risking the possibility of undesired consequences or lost opportunities.

I can't resist
Despite knowing the risks, the pull of temptation is too strong to resist.

Well I know that he is made of smoke
Despite not being a solid or tangible individual, the temptation still takes on a distinct and alluring form.

But I've lost my way
The temptation is blinding, causing one to lose sight of what truly matters and leading them down a misguided path.

He knows that I am broke
The temptation is aware of the individual's vulnerabilities and uses them as leverage to entice them further.

But I must play
Despite the risks, the temptation is too great to ignore and one must play along with it.

Dutch pink and Italian blue
Colors that evoke a sense of sophistication and elegance, used to describe the alluring nature of the temptation.

He's there waiting for you
'He' represents the temptation, waiting patiently for the individual to give in and indulge their desires.

My will has disappeared
The temptation has overpowered the individual's willpower, rendering them powerless against its pull.

Now confusion is oh so clear
Despite feeling lost and unsure before, the allure of the temptation has brought clarity and focus to the individual's mind.

Temptation, temptation, temptation
The temptation continues to beckon, its call growing stronger and harder to ignore.

I can't resist
Despite the risks, the pull of temptation is too strong to resist.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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