The band was formed in 1973 by the amalgamation of two groups, Choise and The Golden Hammers. This led to an eight member band, with the unusual feature of having two vocalists, two drummers, two bassists and two guitarists. Their first single, Hey Rock 'n' Roll (written by the band), was released in April 1974. It reached number two in the UK singles chart. Showaddywaddy then went on to have a further 22 UK hits from this point until late 1982. The first few singles were all written by the band and these generally reached the top-20. However they had most of their biggest hits with pop versions of old '50s US rock 'n' roll songs, catchy tunes backed up by their colourful image, dance routines and numerous television appearances. Some of their best known covers are Three Steps To Heaven, Heartbeat, Under The Moon Of Love, You Got What It Takes, Blue Moon (based on the Marcels' interpretation), and I Wonder Why.
In total they had ten Top Ten singles, a Number One, and spent 209 weeks in the UK singles chart. At the peak of their popularity, this tally included having seven successive Top Five entries. Their biggest selling single was the aforementioned "Under The Moon Of Love", which sold 985,000 copies and gave the group its only UK Number One.
Band members
Current members
Romeo Challenger (born 19 May 1950, St John's, Antigua, West Indies) — drums (1973–present)
Rod Deas (born 13 February 1948, Scarborough) — bass (1973–present)
Ray Hatfield — guitars / vocals / (2017–present)
Rob Hewins — drums / guitars / vocals (2012–present)
Dean Loach — keyboards/ guitar / backing vocals (2012–present)
Andy Pelos — vocals / guitar (2012–present)
Billy Norman — bass guitar/ backing vocals (2018–present)
Former members
Paul Dixon — guitars / vocals / (2008–2017)
Dave Bartram (born 23 March 1952, Leicester) — vocals (1973–2011)
Trevor Oakes (born Trevor Leslie Oakes, 9 September 1946, Leicester) — guitars (1973–2008)
Al James (born Geoffrey Betts, 13 January 1946, Leicester - 16 November 2018) — bass (1973–2008)
Buddy Gask (born William George Gask, 18 December 1945, Leicester – 7 June 2011, Spain) — vocals (1973–1987)
Russ Field (born James Lewis Russell Field, 1 September 1949, Berwick-upon-Tweed) — guitars (1973–1985)
Malcolm "Duke" Allured (born 27 August 1945, Leicester) — drums (1973–1984)
Ray Martinez — guitars (1985–1995)
Danny Willson — guitars (1995–2009)
David Graham — saxophone (2009–2011)
temptation
Showaddywaddy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 to Showaddywaddy's song "Temptation" describe the feelings of someone who has been swept away by the allure of someone who they find irresistible. The first verse paints a picture of how the singer was alone when the tempter first appeared. However, they should have known that this person was nothing but temptation. The second line explains how the individual's smile was enough to lure them in.
The second verse continues where the first one left off. The singer admits that it would be thrilling if the tempter were willing to be with them. However, they understand that it may never be possible. Therefore, the singer asks for pity because they are temptation, and the tempter is theirs. The chorus emphasizes that the singer is the tempter's slave, and they can't resist their irresistible charm. The final line of the song is a desperate plea to the tempter to take their heart and say they'll never part.
Overall, the lyrics of "Temptation" are an eloquent expression of how the lure of something or someone can be so strong that one's free will can easily be ignored. The singer understands that they are being swept away by temptation, but they can't fight it, no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
You came, I was alone
The singer was by themselves when the person they are addressing showed up.
I should have known you were temptation
The singer recognizes that the person they are addressing is dangerous and will lead them astray.
You smiled, luring me on
The person they are addressing is trying to seduce them with their smile and make them follow their lead.
My heart was gone, you were temptation
The artist has already fallen in love with the person they are addressing and knows it's because they are seductive and tempting.
It would be thrilling
The artist believes that if they could be with the person they are addressing it would be very exciting.
If you were willing
The singer knows that the person they are addressing is the one who has the power to make things happen and is waiting for them to decide to make a move.
If it can never be
The singer acknowledges that there may be obstacles that prevent them from being with the person they are addressing.
Pity me for you are temptation and I am yours
The artist is admitting that they are fully under the spell of the person they are addressing and there is nothing they can do about it.
Here is my heart, take it and say
The artist is offering their heart to the person they are addressing and waiting for a response.
We'll never part
The artist is hoping for a commitment and promises that they will never be separated from the person they are addressing.
I'm just a slave
The singer is willing to do anything for the person they are addressing and is completely committed to them.
Only a slave to you, temptation
The artist is admitting that they are powerless to resist the temptations that the person they are addressing presents them with.
You were born to be kissed
The singer believes that the person they are addressing was born to be the object of their affections and to be kissed by them.
I can't resist
The singer acknowledges that they are unable to resist the charms of the person they are addressing.
You are temptation and I am yours
The singer fully acknowledges that they are completely under the control of the person they are addressing and will do anything for them.
Lyrics © 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