Shortly after, they recruited their good friend and photographer Glenn Gregory on vocals to complete their lineup for Heaven 17. Contrary to popular belief, they were not 'New Romantics' per se and had different visual characteristics than groups such as Spandau Ballet and the Culture Club. Like The Human League, Heaven 17 heavily used synthesizers and drum machines while taking influence from the minimalist electronica music of the 70s.
They had a few minor hits in their early days, including the song "Play To Win" that featured on the album 'Penthouse and Pavement'. Their debut single '(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang' from the same album attracted some attention, became a left-wing anthem for a while, and was banned by the BBC because of its overtly political lyrics, but it still reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.
Major chart success eluded them until the single 'Temptation' (in which they were augmented by the vocalist Carol Kenyon) reached number 2 in the UK charts in summer 1983. Other songs from the same album, The Luxury Gap, also charted though not as high - 'Come Live With Me' reached number 5 in the UK, 'Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry' reached number 17, and 'Let Me Go', reaching 41 in November 1982. The album itself charted at their best ever position, number four.
At the end of 1983, the band helped re-launch Tina Turner's solo career, producing and providing backing vocals on her debut hit 'Let's Stay Together'. 1984 featured the release of the moderately successful How Men Are, which reached number 12.
The band also worked on the Band Aid single at the end of 1984, with Gregory supplying vocals alongside Midge Ure and Sting. However, they did not perform at Live Aid the following year.
Pleasure One (featuring the single 'Trouble') appeared in 1986 and it was followed up in 1988 with Teddy Bear, Duke & Psycho (featuring the single 'Train Of Love In Motion'). The early 90's were a quiet period for the band and they wouldn't work together as Heaven 17 until 1996's Bigger Than America. In the preceding years, Marsh and Ware produced a second B.E.F. album to 1981's original Music of Quality and Distinction and Gregory formed the band Ugly. Ware became an in-demand producer, working for the likes of Terence Trent D'Arby, Alison Moyet and Erasure. 2005 saw the release of the long-awaited Before After; the album having a much more contemporary dance sound compared to previous albums.
Temptation
Heaven 17 Lyrics
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I've tried to understand
That certain feeling
Carved by another's hand
But it's too late to hesitate
We can't keep on living like this
Leave no track
(All I desire)
Temptation
(Keep climbing higher and higher)
Temptation
(Adorable creatures)
Temptation
(With unacceptable features)
Temptation
(Trouble is coming)
Temptation
(It's just the high cost of loving)
Temptation
(You can take it or leave it)
Temptation
(But you'd better believe it)
You've got to make me an offer
That cannot be ignored
So let's head for home now
Everything I have is yours
Step by step and day by day
Every second counts I can't break away
Leave no trace
Hide your face
(All I desire)
Temptation
(Keep climbing higher and higher)
Temptation
(You can take it or leave it)
Temptation
(But you'd better believe it)
Step by step and day by day
Every second counts I can't break away
Keep us from temptation
Keep us from temptation
Keep us from temptation
Lead us not into temptation
(All I desire)
Temptation
(Keep climbing higher and higher)
Temptation
(Adorable creatures)
Temptation
(With unacceptable features)
Temptation
(Trouble is coming)
Temptation
(It's just the high cost of loving)
Temptation
(You can take it or leave it)
Temptation
(But you'd better believe it)
You've got to make me an offer
That cannot be ignored
So let's head for home now
Everything I have is yours
Step by step and day by day
Every second counts I can't break away
Leave no trace
Hide your face
(Trying to find it)
Temptation
(You've got to get up behind me)
Temptation
(Put your dime in the hot slot)
Temptation
(But it's a million to one shot)
Temptation
(You think that you're right now)
Temptation
(You're going to fake it tonight now)
Temptation
(Give me a breakdown)
Temptation
(Because it's time for a shakedown)
(Temptation)
It's just temptation
(Temptation)
The song Temptation by Heaven 17 is about succumbing to temptation and the lustful desires that come along with it. The opening lines suggest that the singer has never been closer to understanding this certain feeling, which has been carved by another's hand. However, it is too late to hesitate and they must move forward. The chorus emphasizes that the temptation is desirable and climbing higher, with adorable creatures but also unacceptable features. Trouble is coming and it's just the high cost of loving. The singer asks for an offer that cannot be ignored so that they can head for home, and everything they have is the other person's. The song ends with the singer trying to resist temptation and asking to be led not into it.
The song's lyrics explore the difficult choices that come along with temptation and the conflicting desires that arise within ourselves. It also highlights how the cost of giving into temptation, like trouble and heartbreak, can be high. The pleading nature of the song, expressed through the repetition of "temptation," highlights how strong the desires can be and the difficulty in resisting them.
Line by Line Meaning
I've never been closer
I have never felt this close to someone or something before.
I've tried to understand
I have made efforts to comprehend my feelings and situation.
That certain feeling
A particular emotion or sensation that I cannot name or fully explain.
Carved by another's hand
A feeling that was created or influenced by another person.
But it's too late to hesitate
I can no longer hesitate or doubt my actions, I must act now.
We can't keep on living like this
Our current way of life or situation is unsustainable and cannot continue.
Leave no track
Cover our tracks and leave no evidence of our actions or decisions.
Don't look back
Do not dwell on past events or decisions, focus on the present and future.
(All I desire)
Temptation
The thing I desire that is both appealing and potentially dangerous.
(Keep climbing higher and higher)
Temptation
The appeal of temptation is constantly increasing and becoming stronger.
(Adorable creatures)
Temptation
Temptation is often presented in an attractive and alluring way.
(With unacceptable features)
Temptation
Despite its positive attributes, temptation may also have negative or undesirable aspects.
(Trouble is coming)
Temptation
Indulging in temptation may lead to problems or consequences in the future.
(It's just the high cost of loving)
Temptation
If you truly love someone or something, you may be willing to endure the costs or risks associated with temptation.
(You can take it or leave it)
Temptation
The decision to indulge in temptation is up to the individual, but they must accept the consequences of their choice.
(But you'd better believe it)
Accept the reality of the situation, whether it is positive or negative.
You've got to make me an offer
You need to present me with an enticing proposition or temptation.
That cannot be ignored
The offer or temptation must be too good to resist or overlook.
So let's head for home now
Let us return to our safe haven or familiar surroundings.
Everything I have is yours
I am willing to share everything with you if you accept my offer or temptation.
Step by step and day by day
We must make progress slowly and steadily, one day at a time.
Every second counts I can't break away
My time and attention are valuable and I cannot be easily distracted or swayed from my goals.
Keep us from temptation
A request for guidance or protection from the allure of temptation.
Lead us not into temptation
A plea or prayer to be steered away from the appeal of temptation.
(Trying to find it)
Temptation
Searching for something that is both exceptionally attractive and potentially dangerous.
(You've got to get up behind me)
Temptation
You need to follow closely behind or indulge in my risky behavior.
(Put your dime in the hot slot)
Temptation
Take a gamble or risk on something alluring but potentially costly.
(But it's a million to one shot)
Temptation
The chances of success may be slim, but the reward is still appealing.
(You think that you're right now)
Temptation
Feeling confident in your current actions or decisions, despite the potential risks.
(You're going to fake it tonight now)
Temptation
Indulging in something fake or superficial for the sake of temporary pleasure or satisfaction.
(Give me a breakdown)
Temptation
Requesting a detailed analysis or explanation of the temptation before making a decision.
(Because it's time for a shakedown)
A breaking apart or disruption of current patterns or habits is necessary in order to indulge in the temptation.
(Temptation)
The persistent, alluring allure of temptation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY JOEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind