Raymond Scott (born Harry Warnow, 10 September 1908 – 8 February 1994), was… Read Full Bio ↴Raymond Scott (born Harry Warnow, 10 September 1908 – 8 February 1994), was an American composer, orchestra leader, pianist, engineer, electronic instrument inventor and electronic music pioneer. He was born in Brooklyn to a family of Russian-Jewish immigrants. Though Scott never scored cartoon soundtracks, his music is familiar to millions because of its adaptation by Warner Bros. In 1936, Scott formed the "Raymond Scott Quintette", hoping to revitalise swing music through tight, busy arrangements and reduced reliance on improvisation. He called this musical style "descriptive jazz," and gave his works titles like "New Year's Eve in a Haunted House," and "Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals" (recorded by the Kronos Quartet in 1993). It was these compositions that were sold to Warner Bros. in 1943.

Scott was an early experimenter with electronic music. In 1946 he established Manhattan Research, Inc. The lab developed some of the first devices capable of producing electronic tones automatically in sequence. Using such instruments, Scott recorded three ground-breaking albums designed to lull infants to sleep, Soothing Sounds for Baby, in 1964. The music, anticipating the ambient work of Tangerine Dream and Brian Eno, did not find much favour with the record-buying public of the day. Scott's electronic music for radio and television commercials was released posthumously as "Manhattan Research, Inc." in 2000.

Temptation
Raymond Scott 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
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

Overall Meaning

In Raymond Scott's song Temptation, the lyrics narrate the story of a person who is strongly attracted to someone who is likely to bring about their downfall. The first verse starts off with the arrival of the subject of the song - "You came, I was alone". The second phrase, "I should have known you were temptation" hints at the tantalizing yet dangerous nature of this person. The following line "You smiled, luring me on" suggests that the subject is using their seductive charm to draw the singer in. By the time the third sentence comes around, "My heart was gone, you were temptation", the singer is emotionally entwined and unable to break free from the power of the tempter. The singer then goes on to express that it would be exciting if the subject was willing to reciprocate but if that can never happen, then they are stuck with being a slave to temptation.

The second verse is a plea from the singer to the subject of the song. The lines "Here is my heart, take it and say We'll never part", illustrate the yearning of the singer to give their heart over to the subject completely. The following statement "I'm just a slave Only a slave to you, temptation" echoes the sentiment of being bound and at the mercy of temptation. The final line of the song "You were born to be kissed I can't resist. You are temptation and I am yours" reinforce the notion that this attraction is a powerful and all-consuming force.

Line by Line Meaning

You came, I was alone
When you came into my life, I was lonely.

I should have known you were temptation
I should have realized that you were nothing but temptation.

You smiled, luring me on
You smiled at me and drew me in with your lure.

My heart was gone, you were temptation
You took my heart and it was because of your tempting ways.

It would be thrilling
The idea of being with you is exciting.

If you were willing
If you want to be with me.

If it can never be
If it is impossible for us to be together.

Pity me for you are temptation and I am yours
Feel sorry for me, because you are temptation, and I am under your control.

Here is my heart, take it and say
I offer you my heart - please accept it.

We'll never part
Promise that we will always be together.

I'm just a slave
I am completely under your control.

Only a slave to you, temptation
I am only a slave to you - my tempting desire.

You were born to be kissed
You were created to be kissed.

I can't resist.
I am unable to resist your temptation.

You are temptation and I am yours
You are my temptation, and I am unable to resist you.

Here is my heart, take it and say
Once again, I offer you my heart - please take it.

We'll never part
Promise me that we will always be together.

I'm just a slave
Once more, I remind you that I am under your control.

Only a slave to you, temptation
Just remember that I am completely under your control.

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

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