Temptation

1982 single by New Order

"Temptation" is the fourth single released by English band New Order on Factory Records in 1982. Released as the last of a string of stand-alone singles early in the band`s career, "Temptation" reached number 29 on the UK Singles Chart.

Original release

The 7" version is a more structured version with a commercial synthpop feel; the 12" is more chaotic with the emphasis on electronic rhythms rather than melody. The 7" version plays at 33⅓ rpm to accommodate its length of around five and a half minutes. Both versions bear the same catalogue number "FAC 63" despite these differences.

The 12" versions of both "Temptation" and its B-side, "Hurt", appear on New Order`s mopping-up EP 1981–1982, released a few months after the single itself.

Neither version mentioned the band`s name on the sleeve; instead the song title and catalogue number FAC 63 were embossed into the cover.[5]

The vocal track on the original 12" version features an audible "startled yelp" during the song`s intro. Vocalist Bernard Sumner has since explained that the scream was from him due to bandmates thrusting a snowball down his shirt during recording.[6]

Music video

In 2006 the song was interpreted in a video titled The Temptation of Victoria by filmmaker Michael Shamberg, who had directed a number of music videos for New Order. Victoria Bergsman of Swedish band The Concretes acted the role of the protagonist in the video. Set to the song`s 1987 re-recording the film features a young woman in Paris who steals a vinyl copy of the song`s original 12-inch release from a vintage record shop (the now defunct Bimbo Tower), along with a bouquet from a flower shop, before returning to her apartment. On arrival home she puts the flowers in a vase and the record on to a player, and begins dancing to its music. At this point the video shifts from black and white to full color, starting with the bouquet before quickly encompassing the whole scene. The film plays out with her dancing alone, absorbed in the rhythm of the music.

The storyline of the video may refer to Ian Curtis, the late frontman/singer of Joy Division, New Order`s previous formation, who used to shoplift records. The video is dedicated to the memory of the film director Michael Powell.[7]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner

Charts