Temporary Beauty

"Temporary Beauty" was described by AllMusic's Thom Jurek as a "mid-tempo rocker" with "Springsteen-esque piano". The song features an ondioline performance by famed session musician Nicky Hopkins, who had played on Parker's previous album, The Up Escalator.^[2] Like the rest of Another Grey Area, "Temporary Beauty" features glossy production that came under criticism from some reviewers; Parker later said in an interview that the production "suited" the song, although it did not work for all of the songs on the album.^[3]

Parker cited "Temporary Beauty" as an example of his improved singing on Another Grey Area, a change he attributed in part to producer Jack Douglas. He explained, "'Temporary Beauty' is a live vocal, the whole thing. I just did three takes and the third one was the take. It's a technique of learning - not studying - to sing. You sing more and more, and instead of singing with your throat, you're singing with your chest".^[1]

"Temporary Beauty" was first released as a single in January 1982, backed with "No More Excuses". The single reached number 50 in the UK, became Parker's first charting British single since 1978's "Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions".^[4] The single failed to chart elsewhere, despite receiving notable radio play in the US.^[5] The single release was accompanied by a music video where Parker lip synced to song in a room with ice sculptures that Parker torched and sawed.^[6] When asked about using a chainsaw in the video, Parker said, "As for chainsaws, I'm none too keen on the things, actually".^[7] Both "Temporary Beauty" and "No More Excuses" appeared on Another Grea Area in March 1982.

"Temporary Beauty" has seen positive reception from critics since its release. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called the song a "classic" while Jurek said the track "works".^[2][8] The song has also appeared on compilation albums, including Passion Is No Ordinary Word: The Graham Parker Anthology 1976-1991, Master Hits, Ultimate Collection, and the namesake compilation Temporary Beauty. Parker reflected positively on the song in an interview, saying, "Yeah, I'm keen on that song". Parker has also said that he thought Willie Nelson could perform the song well.^[3]