It's not my conscience that hates to be untrue

Thursday music corner: Falling just outside the UK top 40, Tempted was Squeeze’s 10th UK single. It appeared on their 1981 album East Side Story. At the suggestion of the album’s co-producer, Elvis Costello, the song that was written by the band’s Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook was instead sung by the band’s new keyboardist Paul Carrack (the replacement for the departed Jools Holland). The blue-eyed soul of Tempted became the band’s first (minor) US hit. It has been covered numerous times, including by Sting, OK Go, Richard Thompson, Joe Cocker, Rita Coolidge and Jenny Morris. After his time with Squeeze Carrack went on to co-lead Mike & the Mechanics.

Squeeze – Tempted (1981)