“Temptation Eyes” was one of the last big hits for the Grass Roots, and it’s today’s classic song of the day. The single was released in December of 1970 and, early in 1971, it rose to #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #16 on the Cash Box Top 100. Of all the group’s hits, this one stayed on the Billboard chart the longest, a full 18 weeks from start to finish.
Lead singer Rob Grill called “Temptation Eyes” his all-time favorite Grass Roots song. The tune was written by the team of Harvey Price and Daniel Walsh, who also wrote “Heaven Knows” for the group. Musicians on the track were the cream of L.A.’s studio musicians, powered by the Hollywood Golden Trio of Larry Knechtel on piano, Joe Osborn on bass, and the inimitable Hal Blaine on drums. Steve Barri produced.
The Grass Roots had two more big hits after “Temptation Eyes,” both released in 1971: “Sooner or Later” and “Two Divided by Love.” They continued recording for a few years but dialed it down after Rob Grill left the group in 1977. Over the years, different musicians have carried on under the Grass Roots name and continue to do so today, although none of the current members of the group were original members.
And here’s today’s daily bonus video of the day, the Grass Roots performing a truncated version of “Temptation Eyes” on the December 6, 1970, episode of The Ed Sullivan Show. Yeah, they’re lip synching.
