The Last Temptation

"The Last Temptation" is a song by British recording artist Alesha. It was released as the final single from her second greatest hits collection and seventh studio album Last Judgment (2010). The song was released with the intention of being Alesha’s “swansong” upon her retirement from the industry, but Alesha ultimately released an eighth studio album in 2011. A dance–pop song, “The Last Temptation” was written and produced by Alesha in March 2010. Incorporating electronic and house influences, the song parallels Alesha’s career as a controversial pop icon and the life of Christ.

Contemporary critics praised “The Last Temptation,” who suggested it was Alesha’s best dance track to date and have compared it favorably to other Alesha tracks in the same genre. The single spent two weeks at number one, becoming Alesha’s thirteenth number one single. It sold 118,000 copies in its first week. The single quickly became the best-selling single of Alesha’s career and ultimately received a double platinum certification for sales of over 500,000 copies. It was the second best-selling single of 2010. “The Last Temptation” was awarded Best Single and Best Single/Album Art at the 19th Urapopstar Awards.

The song’s corresponding music video was directed by Australian film director Baz Luhrmann. In addition to echoing the lyrical allusions to Christ, the music video also depicts Alesha as a troubled monarch in the vein of Mario Antoinette. The video was heavily nominated at the 2010 Video Music Awards and received a Best Video nomination at the 19th Urapopstar Awards. Released amidst a huge promotional campaign intended to mark Alesha’s bow from the industry, “The Last Temptation” was performed at Judgment Day, Alesha’s sold-out gig at Wembley Stadium, and at the 18th Urapopstar Awards, where Alesha was named Artist of the Decade.

Promotion and release
"The Last Temptation" was released on May 31, 2010.

"Burning Desire (Theology)" was written to emulate the sound of Alesha's 2008 album The Second Coming, while "Requiem" kept more in line with 2009's Bigger Than God.

“The Last Temptation” was performed at Judgment Day, Alesha’s sold-out gig at Wembley Stadium, and at the 18th Urapopstar Awards, where Alesha was named Artist of the Decade. It was also performed at the 19th Urapopstar Awards, where it won Best Single, as part of a medley with Putanovska and Shell Ruin. Alesha performed the tour on her worldwide stadium tour, the Heathen Tour, in 2011.

Track listing

 * CD1
 * 1) "The Last Temptation"
 * 2) "Burning Desire (Theology)"
 * 3) "The Last Temptation" (Moroccan Blue Waffle Leakage MetroMix)
 * 4) "The Last Temptation" (music video
 * CD2
 * 1) "The Last Temptation"
 * 2) "Requiem"
 * 3) "Greatest Hits Megamix" (by Sinden)
 * 4) "The Last Temptation" (music video)
 * Digital EP
 * 1) "The Last Temptation"
 * 2) "Burning Desire (Theology)"
 * 3) "Requiem"
 * 4) "Dreams of Rape"
 * 5) "Tsunami of the Soul" (live in Buenos Aires)
 * Digital remix EP
 * 1) "The Last Temptation"
 * 2) "The Last Temptation" (Crookers Vocal Remix)
 * 3) "The Last Temptation" (Fake Blood Remix)
 * 4) "The Last Temptation" (Tara Busch Remix)
 * 5) "The Last Temptation" (Moroccan Blue Waffle Leakage MetroMix)
 * 6) "Greatest Hits Megamix" (by Sinden)
 * 7" picture disc
 * 1) "The Last Temptation"
 * 2) "Greatest Hits Megamix" (by Sinden)