Kirby was born in Winchester, Virginia. In 1926 he moved to Baltimore, Maryland, a town he is still linked to by some. He played with Chick Webb and Fletcher Henderson (where during the early 1930s, he performed some amazingly complicated tuba work on a number of Henderson's recordings) before starting his own band in 1937. His John Kirby's Sextet "The Onyx Club Boys" (usually included himself on bass, Charlie Shavers on trumpet, Buster Bailey on clarinet, Russell Procope on alto saxophone, Billy Kyle on piano and O'Neil Spencer on drums) would become one of the more significant "small groups" in a Big band era and had the first recording of the song "Undecided". He tended toward a lighter classical influenced style of jazz, which has strong defenders and critics. He was very prolific and popular from 1938-1941. After World War II his career declined and he died in Hollywood, California, just before a planned comeback. In 1993 he was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame. Unlike other then-popular "novelty" jazz groups (like Raymond Scott), Kirby is not particularly well remembered today; his small group light jazz style is a great example how swing can also be quite elegant.
temptation
John Kirby 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 of John Kirby's "Temptation" describe the singer succumbing to the temptation of a seductive person who has entered their life. The song begins with the singer being alone and vulnerable when the tempter arrives. Despite a sense that this is not a safe person to be involved with, the singer is lured in by their charm and becomes consumed by their desire. This is evidenced by the line, "You smiled, luring me on/ My heart was gone, you were temptation."
The singer expresses a desire for a relationship with the tempter, despite knowing that it is not the right choice. "It would be thrilling/ If you were willing/ If it can never be/ Pity me for you are temptation and I am yours," the singer laments. The lyrics convey a sense of helplessness in the face of intense attraction and temptation, with the singer unable to resist even though they know it will only bring heartache.
The song concludes with a sense of surrender, with the singer declaring themselves to be a slave to temptation. "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 convey a sense of danger and inevitability, as the singer recognizes they have been ensnared by something too powerful to resist.
Line by Line Meaning
You came, I was alone
When you arrived, I was by myself
I should have known you were temptation
In hindsight, it was clear that you were an irresistible allure
You smiled, luring me on
Your smile was inviting and drew me in
My heart was gone, you were temptation
You captured my heart, you were the source of my temptation
It would be thrilling
It would be exhilarating
If you were willing
If you had the desire
If it can never be
If our connection is impossible
Pity me for you are temptation and I am yours
Have compassion for me as I am helplessly drawn to you
Here is my heart, take it and say
I am giving you my heart, please take it and assure me
We'll never part
That we will never be separated
I'm just a slave
I am powerless
Only a slave to you, temptation
I can only succumb to your temptation
You were born to be kissed
You were created to be kissed, to be desired and loved
I can't resist.
I am unable to hold back my desire
You are temptation and I am yours
You are my irresistible draw and I am yours to have
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