Bostic was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He turned professional at age 18 when he joined Terrence Holder's band. He made his first recording with Lionel Hampton in 1942 where he played along with Red Allen, J.C. Higginbotham, Sid Catlett, Teddy Wilson and Hampton. Before that he performed with Fate Marable on New Orleans riverboats. Bostic graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans. He worked with territory bands as well as Arnett Cobb, Hot Lips Page, Rex Stewart, Don Byas, Charlie Christian, Thelonious Monk and other jazz luminaries. He formed his own band in 1945, and turned to rhythm and blues in the late 1940s. His biggest hits were "Temptation," "Sleep," "Flamingo," "You Go to My Head" and "Cherokee." At various times his band included Jaki Byard, John Coltrane, Benny Golson, Blue Mitchell, Stanley Turrentine, Tommy Turrentine, Keter Betts, Sir Charles Thompson, Teddy Edwards, Tony Scott, Benny Carter and other musicians who rose to prominence in jazz. Bostic held his musicians to a high standard and demanded that they read music faultlessly. He was influenced by the great Sidney Bechet. John Coltrane in turn was influenced by Earl Bostic. James Moody said that Bostic was the chief influence on John Coltrane. Moody mentioned that "Bostic knew his instrument inside out, back to front and upside down."
His virtuosity is documented in records such as Up There In Orbit, Earl's Imagination, Apollo Theater Jump, All On, Artistry by Bostic, Telestar Drive, Liza, Lady Be Good and Tiger Rag. Bostic was a master of the blues and he used this skill in a variety of musical settings. Although Bostic recorded many commercial albums, some notable jazz based exceptions on the King label include Bostic Rocks Hits of the Swing Age, Jazz As I Feel It and A New Sound.
Bostic's King album titled Jazz As I Feel It featured Shelly Manne on drums, Joe Pass on guitar and Groove Holmes on organ. Bostic recorded the King Album "A New Sound" about one month later again, featuring Holmes and Pass. These recordings allowed Bostic to stretch out beyond the 3 minute limit imposed by the 45 RPM format. Bostic was pleased with the sessions which highlight his total mastery of the blues but they also foreshadowed musical advances that were later evident in the work of John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy.
He wrote arrangements for Paul Whiteman, Louis Prima, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, Jack Teagarden and Alvino Rey.
Bostic's signature hit, "Flamingo" was recorded in 1951 and remains a favorite among followers of Carolina Beach Music in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Their style of Beach Music is heavily influenced by Rhythm-and-Blues music from the 40's, 50's and 60's. Bostic recorded for Cincinnati-based King Records, a small label that was well known for releasing "R and B" and Bluegrass records. In fact, the biggest star on the King label was "the Godfather of Soul", James Brown. Bostic was also popular among R&B and jazz followers in the United Kingdom, thanks to his records that were released on the Parlophone label.
Bostic died from a heart attack in Rochester, New York, while performing with his band in 1965. His widow, Hildegarde, was still living in San Francisco as of the mid-1990s.
Temptation
Earl Bostic Lyrics
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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
The lyrics to Earl Bostic's song Temptation revolve around a powerful and seductive force that cannot be resisted - temptation. The song begins with the singer acknowledging his mistake of being alone in the presence of someone as tempting as the person he is addressing. He knew that the other person was temptation, but he still continued with the interaction, eventually losing his heart to them.
The singer seems to be aware of the danger that lies ahead if he were to fully give in to temptation. He says that it would be thrilling if the other person were willing, but acknowledges that it can never be. He ends up pitying himself for being under the spell of temptation and claims the other person as his own, despite the danger it poses.
The chorus of the song reinforces the idea that the singer is a slave to temptation, unable to resist its allure. He offers the other person his heart, willing to give himself completely, and states that he cannot resist their temptation. The lyrics depict a classic example of the struggle between desires versus what is right, with the singer ultimately succumbing to temptation.
Line by Line Meaning
You came, I was alone
You appeared when I was by myself
I should have known you were temptation
I had a hunch from the start that you were a seducing force
You smiled, luring me on
Your enchanting grin beckoned me ahead
My heart was gone, you were temptation
You snatched my heart away; your irresistible charm was too much for me
It would be thrilling
It would be a great excitement
If you were willing
If you felt the same way about me
If it can never be
If our love can never come to fruition
Pity me for you are temptation and I am yours
Have sympathy for me as you are an allure I cannot ignore, and I belong to you
Here is my heart, take it and say
Here is all of me, accept it and verify your devotion
We'll never part
We will be together, always
I'm just a slave
I'm at your mercy
Only a slave to you, temptation
I'm only a servant to you, my irresistible darling
You were born to be kissed
You were created to bewitch through kisses
I can't resist.
I am powerless to your spell.
You are temptation and I am yours
You have captivated me entirely, and I belong to you
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LARRY JOHNSON, LARRY CURTIS JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind