After the breakup of Trip Shakespeare, Dan Wilson and John Munson joined up with drummer Jacob "Jake" Slichter to form Semisonic in 1995. An E.P., Pleasure, was released that year, and their first studio full-length release, Great Divide, followed in 1996 on MCA. Although they drew a cult following among 90s powerpop fans, mainstream success eluded the group.
Semisonic's breakthrough came two years later in 1998 when their sophomore effort, Feeling Strangely Fine, reached the Top 50 chart on the strength of the hit single "Closing Time". Their international career also blossomed when another song from the album, "Secret Smile," quickly became a U.K. radio favourite in the summer of 1999, eventually peaking at #13 on the official U.K. Singles Chart.
In early 2001, the band released its third album, All About Chemistry. The single "Chemistry" was a mainstay overseas; however, the album didn't fare as well in the United States. Another song, "Over My Head," was used in the 2001 teen movie Summer Catch, and Semisonic rode the wave of various tours in and around the U.K. In the fall of 2001, Semisonic contributed their cover of the Wings classic, "Jet," for the Paul McCartney tribute CD, Listen to What the Man Said.
Semisonic has been mostly on hiatus since 2001. Band members have since pursued other projects, such as Slichter's writing career and Wilson's solo recordings They performed for the first time in years on July 14, 2006 for the Minneapolis Aquatennial. They have also been spotted performing for private parties in basements. Dan Wilson's talented songwriting has lead to massively popular collaborations with Adele and other artists.
* The song "F.N.T." was used in the 1996 movie The Long Kiss Goodnight.
* "F.N.T." was also used in the 1999 movie 10 Things I Hate about You.
* "Never You Mind" appeared on the Never Been Kissed soundtrack in 1999.
* "Chemistry" appeared on the 40 Days and 40 Nights soundtrack in 2002.
temptation
Semisonic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a four-plex on the old high drive
Cause something in my life was runaway
Or maybe to prove that I am still alive
Temptation lives alone and she works all day
So I waited after five on her front porch
She arrived, parked her car and she walked my way
Tell me now how pleasure can be a sin
She turned the key in the lock and let me in
Ah...
Temptation showed me what I shouldn't do
Ah...
Temptation showed me what I shouldn't do
Somewhere in the world tonight
Two lovers are treating each other right
Somewhere else in a lonely town
One lover waits an endless hour
Driving home in the dark I say this time will be the last
I know what I should never do
At least I'll keep temptations photograph
Maybe hang onto her phone number too
Tell me now how pleasure can be a sin
Well I don't plan to tell anyone where I've been
Ah...
Temptation showed me what I shouldn't do
Ah...
Temptation showed me what I shouldn't do
The Semisonic song "Temptation" is a story about a man who goes to see Temptation, possibly referring to a woman or a metaphor for a forbidden desire or situation. The singer seems to be in search of something in his life that has recently gone astray. He perhaps wants to prove to himself that he is still alive and in control of his life. He finds Temptation living alone and working all day. He waits for her to arrive after work and is happy when she smiles at him.
The chorus "Temptation showed me what I shouldn't do" repeats throughout the song, highlighting the theme of temptation and sin. The singer is aware of the dangers of giving in to temptation, and while he indulges this once, he seems to know it would be his last time. He thinks that perhaps he should keep Temptation's photograph and phone number as memorabilia of that short encounter. He acknowledges the fact that pleasure can be a sin and that he cannot tell anyone what he has done.
The song ends with contrasting pictures of two different lovers - one treating each other right and the other waiting endlessly in a lonely town, perhaps longing for the same pleasures the singer gave in to. Ultimately, the song depicts the conflict between desires and consequences, the struggle to resist temptation, and the human inclination towards sin.
Line by Line Meaning
I went to see temptation yesterday
I sought out temptation yesterday
In a four-plex on the old high drive
I found her in an old apartment building
Cause something in my life was runaway
Something in my life felt out of control
Or maybe to prove that I am still alive
Perhaps to feel alive and dangerous
Temptation lives alone and she works all day
Temptation is a working woman, living by herself
So I waited after five on her front porch
I waited for her outside her apartment, after her workday was done
She arrived, parked her car and she walked my way
When she arrived, she saw me waiting and walked over
She smiled to see me standing at her door
She greeted me with a smile, happy to see me there
Tell me now how pleasure can be a sin
Is it possible for pleasure to be sinful?
She turned the key in the lock and let me in
She unlocked her door and allowed me inside her apartment
Somewhere in the world tonight
At this moment, somewhere in the world
Two lovers are treating each other right
Two people in love are behaving correctly towards each other
Somewhere else in a lonely town
Elsewhere, in a sad, empty place
One lover waits an endless hour
One person waits indefinitely for their love to arrive
Driving home in the dark I say this time will be the last
As I drive home in the darkness, I resolve that this will be the final time
I know what I should never do
I know what actions I should always avoid
At least I'll keep temptations photograph
But I will keep a picture of temptation as a memento
Maybe hang onto her phone number too
Perhaps even keep her phone number as well
Well I don't plan to tell anyone where I've been
I have no intention of telling anyone what I have done
Ah... Temptation showed me what I shouldn't do
Temptation taught me what actions are off-limits
Ah... Temptation showed me what I shouldn't do
Temptation taught me what actions are off-limits
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIC DANSBY, TOMMY DEW, TOMMY J JOY, JOHN G WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
yo mama
on F.N.T.
wow i cant stop listening to this