I was tempted to write a long introduction for this week’s tune. Instead, I’m resisting temptation and keeping it short. It’s a pity that The Temptations never recorded Tempted. So much for keeping it short.

Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook wrote Tempted for Squeeze’s 1981 album East Side Story. That’s London’s East Side for anyone keeping score. It was by far the band’s biggest radio hit and has become a soul-rock standard over the years.

We begin with Squeeze with Paul Carrack on lead vocals.

Rita Coolidge was tempted by the fruit of another in 1983.

Here’s FCH regular Joe Cocker’s take on Tempted.

Richard Thompson with a solo acoustic version of the Difford and Tilbrook classic.

Here’s 21st Century version by Erykah Badu & James Poyser. Her first name caused my spell checker to cavil. I failed to call in the cavalry.

This segment begins with some food chatter from Daryl and his private chef. It looks so tasty that he should be promoted to Captain.

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time, the Midnite String Quartet and Spyro Gyra, not to be confused with Spiro or a gyro.

That’s it for this week. Tempted is a travel tune, so let’s drink to all the travelers out there, time and otherwise. It’s what the cast of The Time Tunnel would want. Never argue with a group that includes Whit Bissell.