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1 of 1- Blonde56
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Offline - Registered: 13/7/2020
- Posts: 325
Temptation/ meeting
I know Bing and others claim Bing ( when he was older at Paladium) didn't sing Temptation like Como. But Bing in Going Hollywood does the best version of that song that I ever heard. Better than Como's version!
- Pantelis Kavouras
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- Registered: 06/10/2024
- Posts: 130
Re: Temptation/ meeting
I completely agree with you Carmela. Bing did the best ever version of Temptation,
Arthur Freed that co-wrote the song with Nacio Herb Brown and later produced in his unit some of the MGM classics such as Singing in the Rain, Gigi, An American in Paris, Royal Wedding, Easter Parade and many others asked for Bing Crosby to sing it. He convinced the MGM studio to ask Paramount loaned them their star for one of his few outside pictures. That combined with the wish of Hearst and of his Cosmopolitan Pictures to produce a musical staring Bing and Marion Davies were the reasons behind Going Hollywood.
Freed was convinced that only Bing was able to sung Temptation as it should be, he realized that, shortly after writing the song. It was said he though the song would be wasted with any other singer and he pressed MGM to make the arrangements.
Bing likely didn’t compare his hit 1933 record with Perry’s record. Perry Como had record of Temptation made in 1945 but he had re-record it in 1974 shortly before Bing’s concert and possibly had that second version in mind comparing his older version with Perry’s older version.
Temptation as sung by Bing in 1933 is a masterpiece. The record he did for Brunswick is one of his bests, he is using a style unusual for his, he is not lay backed, he gives all while singing it. It stands out from the others songs of the period for its technique and its power.
- Blonde56
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Re: Temptation/ meeting
Thanks for all the info Pantelis! It does stand out and he sings it the proper way. My mom and dad when they were alive only knew of Como's version, when they heard Bing sing it in Going Hollywood, they loved Bing's version more. But we all loved Perry Como as a singer too. Many great songs. Mr. C and Mr. C!!! Going Hollywood is such a great movie with such great songs. Classic!
Last edited by Blonde56 (15/5/2025 11:36 pm)
- •
Thread Starter- Pantelis Kavouras
- Sustaining Member
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- From: Athens, Greece
- Registered: 06/10/2024
- Posts: 130
Re: Temptation/ meeting
I agree with you and Temptation is a great song.
- Ian Kerstein
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- Registered: 19/2/2022
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Re: Temptation/ meeting
Anyone who claims that Bing was just a basic crooner (a term I would argue over when applied to Bing) and one who didn't interpret songs - just sing them - would only have to listen to his definitive version of "Temptation" to dispense with both of these notions. There's subtlety, tension, drama, angst, tears and total declaration in that wonderful blast when he fully opens his golden throat in full operatic measure.
I agree with you both Pantelis and Carmela over its sheer excellence. Imagine being Freed and Brown and feeling fully validated on hearing Bing's recording for the first time - and all the unique extras he brings to such a classic.
I believe this may have been the first ever high quality song and recording I ever heard of Bing's from the 1930's. I must have been no more than thirteen years of age and I remember just stopping arranging my LP records in my bedroom cupboard and having to stand completely still until its end. I can also remember his 1940's recording of "Where the Blue of the Night ... " having the same effect. Sinatra's recording of "It Was a Very Good Year", "Send in the Clowns" and Jo Stafford's "You Belong to Me" also produced the same result.
Perry's vocal version on his 1945 recording is also excellent but I feel the orchestration plods a bit in comparison. There's certainly no orchestral plodding in this arrangement, performed tele-visually "live" by Mr Como in 1974. Aged sixty-two and still in his full throated glory.
I now must make an appointment to watch "Going Hollywood" for the first time!
- Blonde56
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- Posts: 325
Re: Temptation/ meeting
Ian, thanks for your input. I love reading your comments. You must see Going Hollywood. If you need a copy, I can help you. Let me know.
- •
Thread Starter- Pantelis Kavouras
- Sustaining Member
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- From: Athens, Greece
- Registered: 06/10/2024
- Posts: 130
Re: Temptation/ meeting
Ian Kerstein wrote:
Anyone who claims that Bing was just a basic crooner (a term I would argue over when applied to Bing) and one who didn't interpret songs - just sing them - would only have to listen to his definitive version of "Temptation" to dispense with both of these notions. There's subtlety, tension, drama, angst, tears and total declaration in that wonderful blast when he fully opens his golden throat in full operatic measure.
I agree with you both Pantelis and Carmela over its sheer excellence. Imagine being Freed and Brown and feeling fully validated on hearing Bing's recording for the first time - and all the unique extras he brings to such a classic.
I absolutely agree with you, Ian. Bing's original version of Temptation is a masterpiece. There’s immense quality in his interpretation—so much depth and emotional charged. His voice gives the song a fuller meaning, a more profound emotional layer, and a tension that’s truly palpable to the listener.