Temptation
Tiwa Savage & Sam Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Temptation, temptation
That's all I see when I look at you
Temptation, temptation (temptation)
That's all I see when I look at you (oh)
Look me in the eyes
Je ka ri ra
If you do me nice
If you do me right
I'ma give you everything you like
Anything you like
Give me ginger
Oh, give me ginger, oh no
Temptation, temptation
That's all I see when I look at you
Temptation, temptation (temptation)
That's all I see when I look at you (oh)
(Give to me, give to me)
(Give to me, give to me)
Yeah
Sweet temptation got the better of me, baby
I guess I'm not that strong, uh
My whole body leaning closer to you lately
Even though I know it's wrong
I just give into
The shape of your body replays in my mind
The sound of your promises echo in me, deep inside
Crave your attention, it compliments my pride
All fired up, with nowhere to go
You give me temptation
Oh that temptation, no, no, no
That's all I see when I look at you
Temptation (ooh temptation), temptation (ooh that temptation)
That's all I see when I look at you (all I see, see, see)
Tiwa Savage's song "Temptation" oozes with sensuality and a battle of resistance to temptation. The temptation being referred to is towards someone with whom she is supposed to have no business. The song opens with the repetition of the word "temptation," implying the intensity of the feeling. Savage speaks about how she cannot help but see "temptation" when she looks at the person. This person is so compelling that she is visibly weakened by the presence of this person, and the temptation is driving her mad.
She then requests that the person "look me in the eyes," which could be seen as her seeking validation or reassurance that it's worth it. The phrase "Je ka ri ra" means "let us continue" in Yoruba, which is a language commonly spoken in West Africa, giving the song an Afrobeat vibe. Savage then speaks about how she will give the person anything they like if they do her right, emphasizing the pull of temptation. The line "give me ginger," can be interpreted as asking for power or drive and serves as a metaphor for the intense feeling of attraction.
Savage follows this up with her admittance of her weakness to temptation, acknowledging that she isn't that strong. She expresses her conflict between rational thought and the impulse of the temptation. The bridge of the song then goes on to describe her cravings for the person’s attention, wants, and desires. Overall, the song is a confession of the conflict between rational and emotional urges, a timeless and universal theme that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Temptation, temptation
The presence of temptation is all the singer can sense when looking at the person she is singing to.
That's all I see when I look at you
The singer can only perceive temptation in the person she is looking at.
Look me in the eyes
The singer requests that the person she is addressing makes eye contact with her.
Je ka ri ra
Unknown meaning. No rewording provided.
If you do me nice
If you treat me well.
If you do me right
If you behave correctly towards me.
I'ma give you everything you like
I will give you everything that you enjoy.
Anything you like
Whatever you desire.
Give me ginger
Unknown meaning. No rewording provided.
Temptation, temptation
The presence of temptation is all the singer can sense when looking at the person she is singing to.
That's all I see when I look at you
The singer can only perceive temptation in the person she is looking at.
Give to me, give to me
Unknown meaning. No rewording provided.
Yeah
An exclamation of confirmation or agreement.
Sweet temptation got the better of me, baby
The singer was seduced by temptation towards the person she is addressing.
I guess I'm not that strong, uh
The singer feels fragile and unable to resist the temptation she is feeling.
My whole body leaning closer to you lately
The singer is acknowledging the physical attraction she has been feeling towards the person she is addressing.
Even though I know it's wrong
The singer is aware that her actions are morally incorrect.
I just give into
The singer surrendered to her temptation.
The shape of your body replays in my mind
The singer recalls the physical features of the person she is addressing.
The sound of your promises echo in me, deep inside
The singer remembers the words of the person she is addressing, which resonate with her emotionally.
Crave your attention, it compliments my pride
The singer desires the attention of the person she is addressing, which boosts her ego and self-esteem.
All fired up, with nowhere to go
The singer is experiencing strong emotions but has no outlet to express them.
You give me temptation
The person the singer is addressing is the source of her temptation.
Oh that temptation, no, no, no
The singer acknowledges the detrimental nature of her temptation.
That's all I see when I look at you
The singer can only perceive temptation in the person she is looking at.
Temptation (ooh temptation), temptation (ooh that temptation)
Reiteration of the presence of temptation when the singer is looking at the person she is addressing.
That's all I see when I look at you (all I see, see, see)
The only thing that the singer can notice when looking at the person she is addressing is the temptation she feels towards them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., EMPIRE PUBLISHING
Written by: Adedamola Adefolahan, Michael Ovie Hunter, Michael Segun Ajayi, Sam Smith, Temitayo Ibitoye, Tiwa Savage, Tomi Mannonen, Ville Arosqvist, Emmanuel Oluwatimilehon Aladeloba
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sn6328
This song is fire! I cant believe I've just heard it today.
That trumpet saxophone sound is soooo dope... really, the whole melody takes me to the moon.
@officialellajones5401
Sam Smith coming through with these African collabs😭❤
@entertainmenttv718
https://youtu.be/MlsI6TveRPM
@lostcause9961
Exactly what I was thinking😅
@jillyboo902
WHAT I'M SAYIN!!!!!
@Cwrote
https://youtu.be/WTtM7ckiG64
@eschelar
Sure would be nice if there was something to say about the music that made it stand out other than the fact that the girl is from somewhere. I got bored half-way through... then realized I was only a quarter the way through. Tried to finish it. Realized I had just put more effort into listening to it than they did in making it.
@KCNwokoye
Queen Tiwa has found her stride with these new Afro-Europe groove...I'm here for all of this, please give us a video!
@entertainmenttv718
https://youtu.be/MlsI6TveRPM
@Princess4babs
Me too🙌😁❤️