Moby’s 2005 rendition of “Temptation,” originally a New Order classic, is more than just a cover; it’s a reimagining that strips the song down to its emotional core, revealing a vulnerability that was subtly masked in the upbeat tempo of the original. For many, the allure of a “Temptation Song” lies in its ability to capture the push and pull of desire, and Moby’s version masterfully amplifies this feeling.
The original “Temptation” by New Order, released in 1982 and famously remixed for their Substance compilation in 1987, is undeniably a synth-pop anthem. Bernard Sumner’s vocals, while introspective, are delivered with a certain detached coolness, characteristic of the era. The song, with its driving beat and shimmering synths, evokes a sense of yearning but within a danceable framework. Many listeners, including the author of the original blog post, connected with this yearning, reminiscing about youthful romantic ponderings while listening to it on a Walkman.
However, Moby’s 2005 cover, featured on his album Hotel, takes a drastically different approach. He slows down the tempo, replaces the synth-heavy instrumentation with a more organic, melancholic soundscape, and most crucially, enlists Laura Dawn to deliver the vocals. This transformation elevates “Temptation” from an 80s dance track to a haunting ballad.
Bernard Sumner himself acknowledged the power of Moby’s interpretation. He told the New York Times, praising Moby’s version and highlighting its unique qualities. Sumner noted how Moby “slowed the track down and stripped it to its basic elements,” revealing “the words and the melody in all their wonderful nakedness.” This “nakedness” is precisely what makes Moby’s “temptation song” so compelling.
Laura Dawn’s vocals are central to the success of this cover. Her hushed, breathy delivery embodies the “poignant and romantic” lyrics that Moby discovered anew when he heard the original playing in his vegetarian tea shop. As Moby explained, the original’s “anthemic chorus” somewhat obscured the lyrical depth. Dawn’s voice brings these lyrics to the forefront, transforming the song into “delicate midnight musings of a lover pondering sonic temptations,” as the original blog post aptly describes.
Moby’s “Temptation song” is not just a cover; it’s an act of rediscovery. It invites listeners to hear a familiar song in a completely new light, to appreciate the raw emotion within the lyrics, and to succumb to the gentle, yet powerful, seduction of its melody. Give in to the allure of this rendition; Moby’s “Temptation” offers an entirely new and deeply moving experience of this classic song.
