Irresistible (Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel song)

"Irresistible" is a song by the British singer-songwriter Steve Harley. It was released three times as a single; the first being in 1985 as a non-album single under his band's name Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel.[1] In 1986, the track was remixed and re-issued as a new solo single. Later in 1992, Harley released the 1986 version as a single again, after it appeared on his 1992 solo album Yes You Can. "Irresistible" was written by Harley and produced by English producer Mickie Most.

1985 version
"Irresistible"
Single by Steve Harley
B-side"Such is Life"
Released28 May 1985
GenrePop, Rock
Length3:30
LabelRAK Records
Songwriter(s)Steve Harley
Producer(s)Mickie Most
Steve Harley singles chronology
""Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" (re-issue)"
(1983)		 "Irresistible"
(1985)		 "The Phantom of the Opera"
(1986)

Background

"Irresistible" was first performed live at Cockney Rebel's December 1984 concert at Camden Palace, London.[2] The concert was recorded for a special TV broadcast (and later released on the VHS Live from London in 1985).[3][4] This performance of the song used lead guitar as a more dominant instrument and featured a verse that was not included on the studio version.

After writing it, Harley offered "Irresistible" to Rod Stewart, however Stewart turned it down. He knew how keen Harley was for a hit of his own and so encouraged him to record it in the hope that it would put him back in the charts.[5] Harley told the Daily Mirror in 1985: "I wrote the song for Rod Stewart. But when he heard it he told me it was so good I should do it myself. So I did."[6] During 1984, Harley signed a contract to record five albums for Mickie Most's label RAK.[7] Working with Most at the producer's helm, "Irresistible" was recorded with Harvey Hinsley on guitar, Adrian Lee on keyboards and Mark Brzezicki of Big Country on drums.

The song was released in May 1985 as Harley's debut RAK single.[8] It peaked at No. 81 on the UK Singles Chart and stayed in the Top 100 for five weeks. It had debuted on the chart in mid-June 1985 at No. 98.[9] Speaking of the song to Newcastle Journal in 1985, Harley said: ""Irresistible" is pure me. The more I hear it, the more I'm proud of it. It has got its own sound."[10]

Release

"Irresistible" was released by RAK Records on 7" and 12" vinyl in the UK, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.[11] The B-Side, "Such is Life", was written by Harley and produced by Most. It was exclusive to the single and did not appear on any other release until 1988 when it was included on the Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel compilation The Collection.[12] "Such is Life" was debuted live by the band during their 1980 Christmas tour. Harley also introduced "My Cold Heart", "I Could Be Anyone" and a reggae-version of "Mr. Soft" on the same tour.[2]

For the 12" vinyl release, an extended version of "Irresistible" was included, remixed by Harley, along with Calvin Hayes and Mike Nocito, who would both later achieve fame in the British pop rock band Johnny Hates Jazz. At the time, Hayes, being the Mickie Most's son, was an in-house producer at RAK, while Nocito was an in-house studio engineer. An additional track included on the 12" version was "Sebastian", which was Cockney Rebel's 1973 debut single.[13] All versions of the release featured a full colour picture sleeve.[14] Following the song's release as a single, the version made its only outside appearance on the 1988 compilation The Collection, like the B-Side "Such is Life".[12]

Promotion

A music video was filmed to promote the single, which received plays on channels such as MTV and Music Box. It featured Harley performing the song in a dark room with the use of various lighting and spotlight tricks shown throughout.[15][16] RAK had booked the use of a studio in West London to shoot the video. Additionally, Harley also appeared on European TV performing the song along with his 1975 UK number one hit "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)". At the time of its release, an A4 promotional black-and-white advert of "Irresistible" was featured in the British music magazine Number One, based on the single's sleeve artwork.[17]

Critical reception

Upon release, Max Bell of Number One wrote: "Irresistible? Hardly. Remember "Mr Soft"? "Come Up and See Me, Make Me Smile"? You don't? You're not missing much, except that they were a thousand times more entertaining than this hackneyed dirge. Knock it on the head Steve, there's a good chap."[18] In Record Mirror, "Irresistible" was one of a number of singles reviewed by ABC. Mark White commented that the song "sounds like it was written, arranged and produced on a poolside in LA", and David Yarritu added: "This would be good if someone like Lulu was singing it... jaunty, I liked the marimbas."[19]

Phil Murphy of Newcastle Journal commented on the unlikely blend of pairing of Harley's "original melodic rock" and Most's "sometimes crass pop". He added: "An ironic letter home from a soldier in Belfast, it is couched in jaunty love song format and works well."[10] In his 1990 book The Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Donald Clarke noted: "Harley came back with a band in '85, and skirted the charts with the catchy "Irresistible"."[20]

Track listing
7" Single
  1. "Irresistible" - 3:30
  2. "Such is Life" - 3:50
12" Single
  1. "Irresistible (Extended Version)" - 4:07
  2. "Sebastian" - 5:42
  3. "Such is Life" - 3:52

Chart performance
Chart (1985) Peak
position
Belgian Singles Chart[21] 7
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[9] 81

Personnel
  • Steve Harley - vocals, remixer of "Irresistible (Extended Version)"
  • Harvey Hinsley - guitar
  • Adrian Lee - keyboards
  • Mark Brzezicki - drums
  • Mickie Most - producer
  • Mike Nocito - engineer, remixer of "Irresistible (Extended Version)"
  • Calvin Hayes - remixer of "Irresistible (Extended Version)"
  • Neil Harrison - producer of "Sebastian"
  • Crocodi Le Suite (London) - sleeve design

1986 version
"Irresistible"
Single by Steve Harley
B-side"Lucky Man"
ReleasedJune 1986
GenrePop, Rock
Length3:26
LabelRAK Records
Songwriter(s)Steve Harley
Producer(s)Mickie Most
Steve Harley singles chronology
"Heartbeat Like Thunder"
(1986)		 "Irresistible"
(1986)		 ""Mr. Soft" (re-issue)"
(1988)

Background

In 1986, "Irresistible" was remixed and released again as a single. For the new version, Harley worked with recording engineer Stuart Breed at Air Studios in London. Breed had come to Harley's attention through Mickie Most, who knew of his work. For the remix, the pair used the original 1985 recording on a 2" Master tape. Harley and Breed mixed-and-matched parts of the track, and experimented with equipment. The song ended up being sped-up and dramatically altered from its original form. The 1985 version's guitar solo was replaced by a keyboard solo, which had been recorded during the original sessions with Most. The vocals used were from a different take, taken from the original 24-track 2" tape of the original 1985 sessions.

Speaking to Record Collector in 1992, Harley said of the remixing of "Irresistible":

"Irresistible came out here in the 80s, but this is a new mix and it's fabulous. I gave it to a guy who works at Air Studios in London, Stuart Breed. He has done a fantastic job. I went in initially as the producer to do it with him, but after half an hour of this guy hitting the buttons and doing fantastic things with sampling machines, I said "I'm going for a cup of tea, you get on with it."[22]

In 2013, the engineer Matt Butler recalled of the 1986 remix:

"This mix was made by Stuart Breed. He did an exceptional job, not least as a maintenance engineer made a career-threatening error on the morning of the session and recorded a sublime 1kHz tone over the original multi-track up until around the first chorus of "Irresistible" as made by Mickey Most a year before. The client (Steve Harley) kept his cool of course and he and Stuart came up with this gem of a version that was justly included on the forthcoming album."

Once the remix was completed, Most chose to release it as a single. Following Harley's second RAK single, "Heartbeat Like Thunder", which had been released in April, "Irresistible" was released in June 1986 as the lead single from the forthcoming solo album El Gran Senor. However, the single failed to enter the UK Top 100. Soon after its release, RAK folded and was sold to EMI,[23] leaving the El Gran Senor album to be shelved. Some of the songs due to appear on the album would later appear on Harley's 1992 album Yes You Can.[8] The full five-minute extended remix of "Irresistible" was later featured as the album version on Yes You Can. In 2015, Harley commented on the song: "I always thought it should be a hit. I found it hard to give up trying!"

The B-Side, "Lucky Man", featured Mick Ronson on guitar. Harley had known Ronson since the 1970s. During sessions with Most, Harley contacted Ronson and asked him to play guitar on the track. Harley later commented: "Mick played guitar on a track called "Lucky Man". It's a white reggae rhythm. Mick was as easy as could be, musically he was very quick and adaptable. I experimented with several guitar approaches, and naturally they were all well within his scope."[24] Speaking to Classic Rock in 2008, Harley said: "I produced a track for myself in the mid-80s - a song called "Lucky Man" - with Mick on electric guitar. It was difficult for me. Not that Ronno was a problem himself - you couldn't wish to meet a nicer, more generous man and musician - but I was in awe of him, even though we had socialised somewhat and shared a mutual respect."[25]

Release

"Irresistible" was released by RAK Records on 7" and 12" vinyl in the UK only.[11] The B-Side, "Lucky Man", was written by Harley and produced by Most. It was exclusive to the single and has not appeared on any other release since.[26] The 12" vinyl edition of the single featured an extended remix of "Irresistible".[27] Both formats of the release came with a full colour picture sleeve, featuring a close-up photograph of Harley, taken by John Stoddart.[28]

Following the song's release as a single, and later on the Yes You Can album, the extended remix/album version of the song has appeared on three compilation albums: 1992's Make Me Smile: The Best of Steve Harley,[29] 1998's More Than Somewhat – The Very Best of Steve Harley and 2006's The Cockney Rebel – A Steve Harley Anthology.[30]

Promotion

No music video was filmed to promote the single. On 30 July 1986, Harley appeared on the British BBC television chat show Wogan, presented by Terry Wogan. Featuring a performance of "Irresistible", Harley's appearance on the show was later broadcast on TV again on 13 August.[31] On 13 August, Harley also appeared on the UK ITV children's TV programme Razzamatazz, where he performed the song with a backing group.[32] At the time of the single's release, a collectable pin badge was also issued. It featured a blank design with the words "Who is irresistible?"[33]

Critical reception

In July 1986, the Newcastle Evening Chronicle reviewed the single and commented that the song was "as the title says".[34] Andy Gill of New Musical Express described "Irresistible" as "fairly pleasant" but in reference to the sleeve he added: "Only Brian Eno can afford to recede that much and remain a celebrity, Steve."[35]

Track listing
7" Single
  1. "Irresistible" - 3:26
  2. "Lucky Man" - 3:36
12" Single
  1. "Irresistible (Extended Re-Mix)" - 5:12
  2. "Lucky Man" - 3:36

Personnel
  • Steve Harley - vocals
  • Mickie Most - producer
  • Stuart Breed - remixer
  • Matt Butler - engineer
  • Mick Ronson - guitar on "Lucky Man"
  • John Stoddart - photography
  • Shoot That Tiger! - sleeve design

1992 version
"Irresistible"
Single by Steve Harley
from the album Yes You Can
B-side"The Waggon"
Released1992
GenrePop, Rock
Length3:21
LabelComeuppance
Songwriter(s)Steve Harley
Producer(s)Mickie Most, Steve Harley
Steve Harley singles chronology
""Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) (re-issue)"
(1992)		 "Irresistible"
(1992)		 "Star for a Week (Dino)"
(1993)

Background

In 1992, "Irresistible" was released for the third and final time as a single. It was released in Europe as the lead single from Harley's third solo album Yes You Can, using the 1986 remix by Stuart Breed. The release failed to enter any European charts.

In his 1992 interview with Record Collector, Harley revealed "I've just released a new album called Yes You Can in Europe, but it's not out in this country [UK]. I'm very proud of it. "Irresistible" is out over there as a single - it was never released over there at the time. It came out here in the 80s, but this is a new mix and it's fabulous."[22]

Release

"Irresistible" was released by Comeuppance Ltd on CD in Europe.[36] It was manufactured in Switzerland. The release featured a "Radio Edit" of the song, using the 1986 remix by Breed. It also included the full extended/album version of "Irresistible" and a B-Side titled "The Waggon". The single was mastered by Steve Rooke and Ian Jones at Abbey Road Studios in London. On the release, as well as Yes You Can, production on the song was credited to Most and Harley.

"The Waggon" was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Matt Butler. An earlier version of the song had originally appeared as the B-Side to Harley's 1989 single "When I'm with You". It was originally titled "The Theme From Babbacombe Lee" and was supposed to be the theme to the forthcoming film Babbacombe Lee which was to star Harley in the lead role. However, the film never found its required budget and the project was dropped.[37][38]

Promotion

No music video was filmed to promote the single. Since Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel's return to touring with the "Come Back, All is Forgiven" tour in 1989, the song was included in the band's set-list, and continued to be regularly played by the band into the early 1990s.

Critical reception

Dave Thompson of AllMusic spoke of the song in a review of Yes You Can: "There are some heartwarming moments on this album. "Irresistible" very nearly is..."[39]

Track listing
CD Single
  1. "Irresistible (Radio Edit)" - 3:21
  2. "Irresistible (Album Version)" - 5:04
  3. "The Waggon" - 3:04

Personnel
  • Steve Harley - vocals, producer
  • Stuart Breed - remixer
  • Mickie Most - producer
  • Matt Butler - producer on "The Waggon"
  • Ian Jones - mastering
  • Steve Rooke - mastering
  • Kevin Williamson - illustration
  • Mike Simister - illustration
  • Steven D. Schwachter - art layout and design

References
  1. "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel* - Irresistible (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  2. "The Great Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel Story". Steveharley.www.50megs.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  3. "Steve Harley + Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD NTSC: Amazon.co.uk: Steve Harley: Music". Amazon.co.uk. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  4. "Steve Harley And The Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD 2007: Amazon.co.uk: Classic Pictures: Film & TV". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  5. Gray, John (Summer 1997). "Poetic Brilliance!". Smiler.
  6. Blake, John (24 May 1985). "Write me a hit!". Daily Mirror. p. 13.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Grand Senor". Steveharley.www.50megs.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  9. http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/18068/steve-harley/
  10. Murphy, Phil (5 July 1985). "Hungry Harley is back on rock". Newcastle Journal.
  11. "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel* - Irresistible at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  12. "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - The Collection (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  13. "Steve Harley - Irresistible (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  14. "Images for Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel* - Irresistible". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  15. Video on YouTube
  16. "Steve Harley - Irresistable [sic] (1986) | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  17. "STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL- 1 PAGE ADVERT FROM 80s No1 MAGAZINE. IRRESISTIBLE". eBay. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  18. Bell, Max (22 June 1985). "Single reviews". Number One Magazine.
  19. White, Mark; Yarritu, David (1 June 1985). "Singles". Record Mirror.
  20. Clarke, Donald (1990). The Penguin encyclopedia of popular music - Donald Clarke - Google Books. ISBN 9780140511475. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  21. Collin, Robert (1999). Het Belgisch Hitboek: 45 jaar hits in Vlaanderen: 1954-1999. Vox Music Books. ISBN 90-76695-01-6.
  22. Davis, Andy (July 1992). "Steve Harley strikes again!". Record Collector.
  23. "History". Rak Publishing. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  24. "Mick Ronson Sessions - 1980s and 1990s". Mickronson.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  25. http://www.harleyfanzone.com/70/Scrapbook/2006/Ronson/Ronson.htm
  26. "Steve Harley - Irresistible / Lucky Man (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  27. "Steve Harley - Irresistible (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  28. "Images for Steve Harley - Irresistible / Lucky Man". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  29. "Make Me Smile: The Best of Steve Harley - Steve Harley : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  30. "Irresistible - Steve Harley : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  31. "1986". TV Pop Diaries. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  32. "Steve Harley Irresistible". YouTube. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  33. "Steve Harley's? Who Is Irresistible Pop Music Picture Badge". eBay. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  34. Newcastle Evening Chronicle - Time Off: Singles - 3 July 1986 - page 12
  35. Gill, Andy (5 July 1986). "Singles". New Musical Express. p. 15.
  36. "Steve Harley - Irresistible (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  37. "Steve Harley - When I'm With You / The Theme From Babbacome Lee - Vital Vinyl - UK - VIT 3". 45cat. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  38. "Theme from "Babbacombe Lee" - single label". Images.45cat.com. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  39. Thompson, Dave. "Yes You Can - Steve Harley : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
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