Song Lyric Sunday: Squeeze, “Tempted”

Song Lyric Sunday, Song of the Day 2 Minutes

Jim has another prompt from Paula, "Socks, Shoes, Boots, Feet." My first thought was to use "Let’s Go, Go-Go White Sox," but I used that less than a year ago. Then I thought of this one…

Squeeze is a rock/New Wave band from London whose eponymous debut album came out in 1978. "Tempted" is from their fourth album, 1981’s East Side Story, the first to feature Paul Carrack (Ace, Roxy Music, The Bleeding Heart Band, Mike + The Mechanics) on keyboards, replacing Jools Holland. Wikipedia tells us

"Tempted" is a song by the British rock band Squeeze. Written by the Squeeze songwriting team of Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford, the song features lyrics inspired by Difford’s experiences on an American tour and an arrangement inspired by the Temptations. "Tempted" is one of a few Squeeze songs with Paul Carrack as lead vocalist, at the suggestion of producer Elvis Costello.

"Tempted" was released as the second single from their fourth album, East Side Story, in 1981. The single was only a moderate chart hit at the time; however, it has since become one of the band’s most famous songs, appearing in movies, TV shows, video games, and commercials. It has also seen critical acclaim and has become a mainstay of the band’s live setlist, often being sung by Tilbrook.

In case you’re checking, "shoes" is mentioned in verse 1, "sock" in verse 2.

[Verse 1, Paul Carrack]
I bought a toothbrush, some toothpaste
A flannel for my face
Pajamas, a hairbrush
New shoes and a case
I said to my reflection
Let’s get out of this place
Past the church and the steeple
The laundry on the hill
The billboards and the buildings
Memories of it still
Keep calling and calling
But forget it all, I know I will

[Chorus, Paul Carrack]
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
What’s been going on now that you have gone
There’s no other
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered

[Verse 2, Glenn Tillbrook]
I’m at the car park, the airport
The baggage carousel
[Elvis Costello]
The people keep on crowding
Been wishing I was well
[Glenn Tillbrook]
I said it’s no occasion
[Elvis Costello]
It’s no story I could tell
[Paul Carrack]
At my bedside, empty pocket
A foot without a sock
Your body gets much closer
I fumble for the clock
Alarmed by the seduction
I wish that it would stop

[Chorus, Paul Carrack]
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
What’s been going on now that you have gone
There’s no other
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered

[Verse 3, Paul Carrack]
I bought a novel, some perfume
A fortune all for you
But it’s not my conscience
That hates to be untrue
I asked of my reflection
Tell me what is there to do?

[Chorus, Paul Carrack]
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
What’s been going on now that you have gone
There’s no other
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered

[Outro]
Oh, tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
Tempted by the truth of another
Tempted and the truth is discovered
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered

Lyrics courtesy Genius.com.

That’s Song Lyric Sunday, and Song of the Day, for May 8, 2022.

Published by John Holton

Internet disc jockey, lover of old TV (especially the commercials), inveterate wise guy.

Published

26 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday: Squeeze, “Tempted””

  1. Pingback: The Mid-May Week That Was – The Sound of One Hand Typing

  3. I had no clue what song you were talking about until I started to play it and knew it right away. It’s a great song.

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  11. I loved how they used everyday items with this song…toothbrush etc…great song.

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  12. This song and group brings back some powerful memories for me. I was just thinking about Squeeze the other day. I haven’t listened to them in a long time.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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      1. The song that first turned me on to Squeeze was “Satisfied” which got a lot of airplay when I first moved to L.A in the summer of 1991. Soon after we moved we went to see them at The Roxy music club and then I bought most of their catalog on CD. So many great songs they did.

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