Temptation
The Artie Shaw Orchestra 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 Artie Shaw Orchestra's song "Temptation" is about the overwhelming allure of temptation and the singer's inability to resist. The lyrics describe the moment the singer first encountered temptation and how they were immediately drawn in by their smile and charm. They express that it would be thrilling to act on their feelings, but come to terms with the fact that it can never be and instead pity themselves for being powerless to temptation.
The lines "Here is my heart, take it and say / We'll never part / I'm just a slave / Only a slave to you, temptation" reinforce the idea that the singer is completely powerless to temptation and has given themselves over completely to it. The repeated phrase "you are temptation and I am yours" reinforces the idea that temptation has complete control over the singer. Despite the fact that they know they should resist, they can't help but be drawn in by the allure of temptation.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of temptation and the power it can hold over someone. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, it's better to resist temptation than to give into it, even if it feels thrilling in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
You came, I was alone
When you appeared, I was by myself.
I should have known you were temptation
I should have realized that you were going to lead me astray.
You smiled, luring me on
Your smile enticed me and encouraged me to keep going.
My heart was gone, you were temptation
My heart was stolen by you, as you embodied temptation.
It would be thrilling
It would be electrifying and exhilarating.
If you were willing
If you would only agree to it.
If it can never be
If it's inevitably impossible.
Pity me for you are temptation and I am yours
Have sympathy with me because you are temptation personified and I can't help being attracted to you.
Here is my heart, take it and say
This is my heart, accept it and promise to keep it.
We'll never part
We'll always stay together.
I'm just a slave
I'm powerless to resist you.
Only a slave to you, temptation
I am solely subservient to you because you are temptation.
You were born to be kissed
Your purpose is to be passionately kissed.
I can't resist.
I am unable to stop myself.
You are temptation and I am yours
You represent temptation and I belong to you.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: LARRY JOHNSON, LARRY CURTIS JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jody Wilke
Such a talented man--and I'm so thankful, that he and his orchestra went around, and entertained the troops in WW2!😔⛪
Kirk Barkley
Once the band gets going, the interplay in this one is amazing.
Sleep is The Cousin of Death
This is some good stuff
Elizabeth Gonzales Jauregui
Me gusta sus música de artie shaw
Elizabeth Gonzales
es un bombo música muy buena
Justice M
I had just ordered this tune on a victor 78 from eBay (sorry im new too swing only a year in lol) costed about 20 bones luckily, came faster then expected too....I dropped it....and it split, currently I cant find any more listings on this tune which "stardust" was on the B side, however, this has always been my favorite Artie song, it has so much life and just feels like it belongs in a cartoon which im a 15 year old "aspiring" Cartoonist, I always ADORED the last pitch at the end, I actually noticed in a couple of Arties other songs he displays this "final" high note, I cant recall which ones since the names are burried somewhere in my record collection of swing, but overall this is proabaly my 3rd favorite swing theme, I hope I can find another user selling this on 78 but for now, thanks for posting this upload pal :) Â
Best Part: 2:48
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Glad you enjoyed it Let me know if you have any requests.
Justice M
@A Trip Down Memory Lane I was looking around looking to see if you had posted it already but, do you think you can do Artie Shaws "non stop flight" that one is one of my favorites! thanks pal! I appreciate all of your videos so dearly!
A Trip Down Memory Lane
@Justice M Your wish is my command....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHbnZ_KHTZE
Bharat Bhagwat
When Music was MUSIC .