| "Temptation" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Song by Bing Crosby | ||
| Published | 1933 | |
| Writer | Arthur Freed (lyrics) | |
| Composer | Nacio Herb Brown | |
| Cover versions | ||
"Temptation" is a popular song. The music was written by Nacio Herb Brown, the lyrics by Arthur Freed. The song was published in 1933. The song was used again in the film Singin' in the Rain and later in the musical based on the film. The song was introduced by Bing Crosby in the film Going Hollywood. Crosby recorded the song with Lennie Hayton's orchestra on October 22, 1933. He re-recorded it with John Scott Trotter's Orchestra on March 3, 1945. The artist best known for recording the song was Perry Como, who recorded it several times:
- In mid-February, 1945, for a radio program, issued as a V-disc.
- On March 27, 1945, issued as:
- an RCA Victor 78rpm single, catalog number 20-1658-B with flip side "I'll Always Be With You" (Chart position #15 in the US)
- an RCA Victor 78rpm single, catalog number 20-1919-A with flip side "Goodbye Sue"
- an HMV 78rpm single, catalog number BD-1153 with flip side "Surrender"
- an RCA Victor 78rpm single, catalog number 20-3298-B and 45rpm single, catalog number 47-2886, with flip side "Prisoner of Love"
- On January 7, 1974, for an album, issued as:
- In 1980 at a live performance July 29-31, issued on an RCA 12" stereo LP album Perry Como Live On Tour (catalog number AQL1-3826)
Other versions of the song were recorded by Artie Shaw and his Orchestra on September 7, 1940 and by Mario Lanza in 1952. Andy Williams and others also recorded the song. A parody version, entitled "Tim-tay-shun," was recorded in a country music style by Red Ingle with a vocal by "Cinderella G. Stump" (actually a pseudonym for Jo Stafford) in 1947. An interpretation was also featured in Season One of The Muppet Show, with Miss Piggy, four chickens, four frogs, and two males pigs being lead by Kermit the Frog in the Muppet Glee Club, Miss Piggy sang a solo in the third verse until the end, her voice being performed by Richard Hunt instead of Frank Oz, her then-regular performer. This song is currently played by the Michigan Marching Band whenever an opponent is stopped on third down. It is also played as part of their traditional post game performance followed by Hawaiian War Chant because "you can't have one without the other". It is also played by the University of Michigan hockey band. The Everly Brothers' version (b/w "Stick With Me Baby", Warner Bros. Records WB5220) released in May 1961 reached #1 in the UK charts.
| Preceded by "Runaway" by Del Shannon |
UK number one single The Everly Brothers' version July 20, 1961 (2 weeks) |
Succeeded by "Well I Ask You" by Eden Kane |
External links
- 1945 lyrics as sung by Como
- 1974 lyrics as sung by Como
- 1980 lyrics as sung by Como
