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Read the Stories and Lyrics Behind Each of My Songs
temptation
LYRICS BY JUSTINE THOMAS
He walked into the room
Took off his coat and said
Baby the things I’m gonna do
Got a degustation here
But darling, lets be clear
I think I’d rather devour you
Oh baby.
I got that sweet, sweet sugary rush.
Oh darling.
You’re like a treat now, I’m feeling the crush.
Oh yeah.
Baby got me love struck.
[Chorus]
Gotta feel the urge
Gotta flow with that temptation
I just can’t avoid
Gotta move the earth
Gotta save my soul from deprivation
Make me lose my voice
woah oh oh
Feel the temptation
woah oh oh
Feel the temptation
He made my mind go blank
Then drew me onto him
My canvas turned to messy color
His strokes were like a brush
I faded in the rush
He painted my body like no other
Oh baby
I want your sweet, sweet body to stay
Oh darling
Every inch of muscle, I just want to shade
Oh yeah
Picturing the art our bodies can make
[Chorus]
Kiss me like rain drops
Trickle down my body
Touch me like snow flakes
Melt me into your skin
Engulf me like a waterfall and
Take me like a hurricane
Let’s create a storm
That scream, scream, screams,
Our names
[Chorus]
about the song
The tune and story behind this song goes way back to when I was thirteen years old. Now, before you go, “Why was a thirteen year old writing such provocative lyrics?!” – no. The lyrics were rewritten quite a bit before this recording, and the verses were completely new.
The original version of this song was about the temptation of being rebellious, taking chances, finding my confidence, and most definitely scooting up close next to that cute boy in class that I was way too shy to actually ever flirt with. Of course, the lyrics could’ve very easily been misconstrued, even if my 13 year old brain had no comprehension of that.
When I was 13, I begged my parents for the chance to record my songs at a studio. I had stars in my eyes and wanted nothing more than to be a pop star. My uncle knew a producer at the time so my parents sent me off to California for a chance to record.
At the time, I chose three songs of mine to record including Temptation. I was so eager as it was my absolute favorite at the time.
My first day in the studio, I shared the songs with my producer, a cappella and discussed my vision for them. The next day, I returned to hear the background music he had created. I was shocked to hear my pop song completely changed into some R&B one measure loop. Completely on my own in this, I mustered up the confidence to stand up to him. I told him I really wanted this song to stay true to the tune I wrote it in.
He told me he would “try”. In the meantime, he asked me to speak the first part of the song in a “low and sexy voice” with his music and then I could record the rest my way. He said he’d put together the background music to go with it later. Looking back, I was incredibly naive to believe that was remotely possible.
The next day, he told me it was “impossible” to do background music for my tune. So instead, he just kept the song with my “sexy” speaking voice and my vocals following a cappella.
I was humiliated and embarrassed. At the same time, I didn’t want anyone to know how upset I was and pretended I was thrilled with the results of the song. Deep inside though, I had lost a huge amount of confidence during this experience. It was the first time I had tried to fight for something of mine creatively and I was not just knocked down, I was completely bulldozed over.
About a year later, I auditioned for the school talent show using this song and was rejected. I started to believe that this song maybe really was that bad. Or maybe I just couldn’t sing.
It’s ironic how a song that was about taking chances and finding my confidence ended up doing the complete opposite of that.
ORIGINAL LYRICS
Oh baby come close to me
Let me see
Let me know that your heart is mine.
Oh baby
Temptation is just too hard.
Oh darling
Sometimes I just have to beat the odds.
Oh yeah. Baby darling. Oh yeah.
Sometimes it's just too hard to be just what everybody wants.
chorus
So I gotta feel the urge.
I gotta go forth with that temptation
That I just can't avoid
Gotta make it all, worthwhile
Gotta save my soul from denial
Oh
Oh baby
There's certain feelings I just can't escape
Oh darling
Everyone tells you, you should run away
Oh no
And sometimes It's just too hard to fight your biggest urge
And sometimes your feelings, well, they just control
chorus
Sometimes you can't be held down
Sometimes a temptation can't be stopped from a light
Sometimes you just want to burst
And you say no
I just gotta, uh!
Go forth with my wildest dreams
Baby my temptations
they just take over me
Now, at 34, as I prepared for my first time back in a studio since I was 20, I picked three songs to record. However, as I started flipping through my old songs for fun, my eye caught “Temptation”. In a single moment I realized how important it was for me to rewrite history and give this song the justice it deserved.
Of course, the lyrics needed an overhaul – after all, I couldn’t really relate to the mindset of a 13 year old anymore – and I like to think my writing skills have also improved since then. I combined it with other lyrics I had recently written (the verses of the song). While the song took on a much more provocative nature, it was still about going for what you want. This time, however, through the lens as me, a mother, who just wants a moment of alone time with my husband.
Is that too much to ask? (I know, the answer seems to always be, yes.)
The updated lyrics ended up being about the idea of finally having a date night with your spouse. The one you’ve been waiting months and months for. You even have a romantic dinner planned. But the second you’re together, you just want to make the most of the fact you are finally together without a single interruption.
Bringing my song to the studio, I was so nervous about it being ripped to shreds again. Even when I was 20 and had a much more positive studio experience, I still felt like I could never truly express what I wanted. The producers I had worked with always had their own mindset, as well as their own restrictions regarding their abilities, which I didn’t recognize at the time.
Thankfully, my producer, Ant Torrent, has been absolutely incredible. I’ve never worked with someone before who not only listens, but gives constructive criticism that enhances my writing and my vocals. After doing this song with him, I knew that the sky was the limit. It was in that moment I realized, I couldn’t just record a few songs: I needed to finally record the album I always dreamt of doing.
