Erykah Badu Shares Soulful Cover Of Squeeze’s ‘Tempted’

Erykah Badu’s soulful rendition of Squeeze’s 1981 hit ‘Tempted’ recorded exclusively for a Record Store Day release is now on streaming services.

Badu’s take on ‘Tempted’ also features an impressive line-up of backing musicians, ranging from singer-bassist Thundercat to Robert Glasper Experiment member Derrick Hodge, keyboardist for The Roots, James Poyser and jazz drummer Ali Jackson. The group is also featured on an instrumental B-side of the track, which appeared on the exclusive 45 record via Yep Roc records.

‘Tempted’ remains one of the most recognizable songs from the UK pop outfit, which initially featured Elvis Costello and Squeeze’s keyboardist-vocalist Paul Carrack on backing vocals. While the song didn’t crack the Top 40 in the US, it became a ubiquitous presence in TV shows, movies and commercials.

It may sound like an odd pairing at first, but the original song laid out soulful pop framework thanks to the crack songwriting team of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. Badu brings a loose delivery to the song’s built-in tight songcraft and Jackson provides some improvisational drumming to push the song into jazzier territory.

‘Tempted’ marks the first new material from Badu since she released the new track ‘Money Can’t Buy Me Love’ last year and her last proper release, But You Caint Use My Phone mixtape in November 2015. While her last studio album, New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) arrived in 2010, the neo-soul icon has been keeping busy touring and recently appeared on the beloved series Tiny Desk Concert to perform a number of her career-defining hits including ‘Rimshot’ and ‘Green Eyes’.

Badu is currently on tour in Europe, playing London’s O2 Arena on 9 June and will return to the US to play the Smokin’ Grooves Festival in Long Beach, California as well as the Riverfront Jazz Festival in Dallas, Texas in August.

Visit the official artist website for more tour details.

Format: UK English