Elvis Costello and Squeeze’s “Tempted”

Elvis Costello Squeeze
Not Elvis

In 1981, Squeeze released the single “Tempted,” from the group’s fourth album, East Side Story. Although the song did not become a top-40 hit, the song became so popular you probably can sing along (“Tempted by the fruit of another. . .”). But did you know that Elvis Costello sings on the recording? Costello worked with Squeeze in the early 1980s, producing some of the band’s work, including co-producing “Tempted.” And, on the song, he sings a few lines.

Glenn Tilbrook, Squeeze’s usual lead singer, wrote “Tempted” with the band’s guitarist Chris Difford. But keyboardist Paul Carrack — who was only with the band for one album before a solo career and work with Mike and the Mechanics — sang lead on “Tempted.”

Tilbrook does sing a few lines on the second verse (starting around the 1:19 mark), as does Costello. Although a Rolling Stone article seems to imply that an “almost unrecognizable Elvis Costello” appears in the video, it appears he is not actually in the video. You hear Costello’s voice starting at the 1:24 mark (and elsewhere in backing vocals), but it looks like guitarist and songwriter Difford is moving his lips. Check it out for yourself.

If you were not around in the 1980s, you may still know the song, which has been used in movies, video games, and commercials. Among other places, the song was used in a Burger King commercial. The band recorded a new version of the song for the film Reality Bites (1994), once again joined by Elvis Costello.

After Carrack left the band, Tilbrook took over the lead vocals on “Tempted.” If you want to know more about what happened to the members of Squeeze in the decades after “Tempted,” check out this 2003 episode from VH1’s show, Bands Reunited below. For more information, check out the Squeeze website.

What is your favorite Squeeze song? Do you know more about Costello’s work on “Tempted”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson Put Johnny Cash’s Poetry to Music
  • “MTV Unplugged” Begins
  • Ethan Hawke Channels Jazz Great Chet Baker in “Born to Be Blue”
  • The First Song Loretta Lynn Ever Wrote
  • New Track from Darlene Love: “Forbidden Nights”
  • RIP Jesse Winchester
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)