Elvis Costello - Temptation Lyrics
Who's this kid with his mumbo jumbo
Living in air-conditioned limbo
Though they treat him just like a guest
He's living under threat of arrest
Now that he's finally trying to make some sense
Give me temptation
The subtle touch of authority will
Take you anytime down to the station
You say that it's alright by me
Now you're living with the curse of sophistication
Now that you're shackled up to the rigmarole
With absolute control
I see you lying so wide awake
After I've given you all that you can take
Give me temptation
Still you want to succeed so badly
Finding your life will not be deadly
You tell me you can take it or leave it
Sometimes I think that you really believe it
You're just itching to break her secret laws
As you go from claws to clause
Give me temptation
Other Lyrics by Artist
- Elvis Costello - 45
- Elvis Costello - You Turned To Me
- Elvis Costello - Fallen
- Elvis Costello - When It Sings
- Elvis Costello - Still
- Elvis Costello - Let Me Tell You About Her
- Elvis Costello - Can You Be True?
- Elvis Costello - When Green Eyes Turn Blue
- Elvis Costello - I'm In The Mood Again
- Elvis Costello - Impatience
- Elvis Costello - Too Blue
- Elvis Costello - North
- Elvis Costello - Button My Lip
- Elvis Costello - Country Darkness
- Elvis Costello - There's A Story In Your Voice
- Elvis Costello - Either Side Of The Same Town
- Elvis Costello - When Did I Stop Dreaming?
- Elvis Costello - Someone Took The Words Away
Rand Lyrics
- Neil Sedaka - The World Through A Tear
- Neil Sedaka - Do It Like You Done It When You Meant It
- Neil Sedaka - Junkie For Your Love
- Neil Sedaka - Letting Go
- Neil Sedaka - You Better Leave That Girl Alone
- Neil Sedaka - My Friend
- Neil Sedaka - It's Good to Be Alive Again
- Neil Sedaka - You
- Neil Sedaka - Should've Never Let You Go
Last Posts
Beyonce Shakes the Internet with Surprise Super Bowl Tease and New Music Release
Beyoncé once again set the digital world abuzz with her latest musical surprise. In an unforgettable move during the Super Bowl, a Verizon commercial served...
Watch Usher’s Full Super Bowl 2024 Halftime Performance Usher, Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris,
At the 2024 Super Bowl, Usher redefined the halftime show with a dazzling, career-highlight performance that will be remembered for years to come. Taking the...
Usher Unveils ‘Coming Home’: A Journey Through Sound and Soul in His Latest Album
Spanning three decades in the music industry, Usher has consistently mesmerized fans with his soulful tunes and magnetic performances. However, his most recent project, Coming...
Elvis Costello Temptation Comments
Total class
Brilliant
Love it! takes me back in time.......Great song, great music , great album.
Fantastic
Best song on his best album
Name an Album with more masterpieces than Get Happy!!-High Fidelity-Riot Act-Possession-Temptation-Men Called Uncle-King Horse-New Amsterdam-Motel Matches.
Always a great songwriter but always felt the band a bit lacklustre and samey for such a quality music maker like Declan !
This is why Elvis is king~!
This just might be his best effort.
Sounds like “Time is Tight” Booker T and the mgs
Yeah. 5ive Gears In Reverse kinda sounds like that too. The guitar on that reminds me of Steve Cropper
kevtruth Must be intentional, seeing as the whole album is a homage to 60s R&B
I forget where i found them, but i read Elvis's liner notes for Get Happy!! on a website once and he explicitly mentioned that this song was inspired by Time is Tight and that they used the bassline from it as an homage. So yep, it's definitely intentional!
that's the point
I misheard the lyrics as "though you treat him just like a guest he's living under an arm rest" Of, course it's "threat of arrest" but I like my mistake better!
As you go from clause to claws...
One if EC's great songs.
and then listen to Booker T & The MGs Time is Tight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtdMhh1jIvw
An acknowledged remembrance
vocals back in the mix, which is unusual, but smart and catchy . . .great drum rvb . . .
This song would be better if were a minute longer. How few song can that be said of?
Tasty northern soul! Great song!
yes, gimme temptations instead of this junk
Diddums.
Now this was rock `n roll! I never understood why this didn`t become a big hit, but thank you for uploading it !
Agreed.
In the 80's you didn't have hit records if you weren't androgynous. No lipstick, no hits. Besides this was an album track. Also, I doubt if a mass-audience would have understood what Elvis was singing about. 80's audiences were only interested in dance, dance, dance.
Bruce Thomas shines here.
BT shines all the time except when he wrote the book. ;)
Oh.. guess I need to read the book. ;-D
The Big Wheel is the title if my older memory serves me. Read the review first before throwing out the coin for it. It's what got him booted from the band. Take head, never write a book about your mates especially the leader of the group!
Or at least wait until the band is no more.
@Quinn Johnson He (Bruce) actually published that book long after he got booted in 1986. Elvis C then requested his bass services in 1994 when he reformed the Attractions
Underrated? By who?
This album and Trust are the most underrated.
@wpollock1 so true!!
Trust, yes. But Get Happy!! does get it's accolades deservedly.
Great tune and Bruce is a highly underrated bassist in my opinion!
Awesome song...Bruce Thomas' bass playing just kills me.
Best song on this record, inexplicable it never got airplay.
King Horse for me