Temptation
Perry Como 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
And, if it can never be, pity me
For 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 that we'll never part
I'm just a slave, only a slave
To you, temptation

And I am yours
Here is my heart take it and say that we'll never part
I'm just a slave, only a slave




To you, temptation
I'm your slave

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Perry Como's "Temptation" essentially convey the struggle of a person who finds themselves irresistibly drawn towards someone who they know is bad for them. The singer realizes that their attraction to this person is a temptation that they can't seem to resist. They admit that they should have known better, but the other person's smile and lure captivated their heart, leaving them helpless against their seduction. The singer acknowledges that nothing can ever come of this, and it's impossible for them to be together, which is a source of great sorrow for them.


They describe the person in vivid terms, as someone who was born to be kissed, and they were unable to resist falling for their temptation. The singer compares their relationship with this person to that of a slave, implying that they are powerless against the pull that the other person has on them. The lyrics are filled with a sense of yearning and longing, mixed with regret and sadness, making it a compelling and relatable song for anyone who has experienced unrequited love or an unhealthy attraction.


Line by Line Meaning

You came, I was alone
You appeared when I was by myself


I should have known you were temptation
I should have realized that you were a temptation


You smiled, luring me on
You smiled, enticing me to follow


My heart was gone, you were temptation
My heart belonged to you; you were my temptation


It would be thrilling
It would be exciting


If you were willing
If you were agreeable


And, if it can never be, pity me
If it is impossible, feel sorry for me


For you were born to be kissed I can't resist
You were meant to be kissed, and I can't resist you


You are temptation and I am yours
You are my temptation, and I belong to you


Here is my heart take it and say that we'll never part
Here is my heart, keep it and promise that we'll never separate


I'm just a slave, only a slave
I'm like a slave - devoted to you


To you, temptation
To you, my temptation


And I am yours
And I belong to you


Here is my heart take it and say that we'll never part
Here is my heart, keep it and promise that we'll never separate


I'm just a slave, only a slave
I'm like a slave - devoted to you


To you, temptation
To you, my temptation


I'm your slave
I belong to you completely, like a slave




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Fintage House Publishing
Written by: ARTHUR FREED, NACIO BROWN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@smack3427

If it weren’t for The Muppetts I’d never have heard this epic song!

@violettatraviata8838

Me too! 😂

@josephbarclayross6216

He was one of the biggest stars of my parents' generation. I remember growing up listening to his songs from infancy. What a smoothie! What a man! The great heart of popular singing.

@catman916

+Joseph Barclay Ross When I was a kid in the 1950s, Perry was one of the best known singers. His TV show was very popular.

@josephbarclayross6216

+catman916 Deservedly. The man embodied all the great love and hope and pride and meaningfulness of his American generation. In short, he was as good as it could possibly get.

@oldscoolgaming6700

"Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak."
Matthew 26:41

@MS-it4gb

Among the greatest vocalists, ever. My mother loved em. I'm 51 and listened to him since birth. I hate that he covered so many novelty tunes. Some have no idea how great he was because of those recordings.

Akin to Sinatra and New York, New York. I love that tune, but he was also far greater than that tune in his prime... Most younger people only know him for that one and those awful Duets albums...

@donbowers9208

My Dad's absolute Favorite Singer & my Mother in Law, attended high school with Perry, in Canonsburg, PA.

@jediewok16

This...this is amazing! His voice is like butter!

@JCNippert1

In the same light I would like to hear Torme sing this.

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