Irresistible (Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel song)

"Irresistible" is a song by British singer-songwriter Steve Harley, which was released three times as a single. In 1985, it was released under his band's name Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel as a non-album single.[1] In 1986, the track was remixed and released as a single again. Later in 1992, Harley released a remixed version of the 1986 version as a single again, after it appeared on his 1992 album Yes You Can.

"Irresistible" was written solely by Harley and produced by English producer Mickie Most.

1985 version

"Irresistible"
Single by Steve Harley
B-side "Such is Life"
Released 28 May 1985
Format 7", 12"
Genre Pop, Rock
Length 3:30
Label RAK Records
Writer(s) Steve Harley
Producer(s) Mickie Most
Steve Harley singles chronology
"Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) (re-issue)"
(1983)		 "Irresistible"
(1985)		 "Heartbeat Like Thunder"
(1986)

Background

"Irresistible" had originally been offered to Rod Stewart, however knowing how keen Harley was for a hit of his own, Stewart turned the song down and encouraged Harley to record it in the hope that it would put him back in the charts.[2] During 1984, Harley signed a contract to record three albums for RAK - the record label belonging to Mickie Most. Working with Most at the producers helm, "Irresistible" was recorded featuring Harvey Hinsley on guitar, Adrian Lee on keyboards and Mark Brzezicki of Big Country on drums. The song was chosen as Harley's first single release on the label.[3] The single peaked at #81 in the UK and stayed in the top 100 for a total of five weeks. It debuted on the chart in mid-June 1985 at #98.[4]

The original 1985 version of "Irresistible" remains unavailable on CD. Due to the 1986 remix version following as a single and also appearing elsewhere, the original version became largely forgotten.

"Irresistible" had been first played live circa 1984,[5] where the song's performance in 1984 at the Camden Palace in London was professionally filmed for the video release "Live from London". The performance is available under the same title of "Live from London" on two DVD editions; one from 2001 (and its re-issue in 2007) and one from 2012.[6][7] It was originally released during the 1980s as a VHS release.[8] This live version of the song used lead guitar as a more dominant instrument and featured an extra 'third verse' that was never included on any studio versions or future live performances. This verse linked directly into the fourth and final verse (which would become the third verse itself on the studio recordings):

They're clapping their hands now, the vision has grown dim
They're building a cross now, and giving it to him
I'm every religion, I'm practicing a sin
It's so cold, so cold, so cold and getting colder

Release

The single was released via 7" and 12" vinyl through RAK Records in the UK and the Netherlands.[9] It was the first release on Harley's new label RAK Records.[10]

The single featured the b-side "Such is Life" which was written by Harley and produced by Most. The b-side was exclusive to the single and did not appear on any other release until 1988 when it was included on the Castle Communications Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel release The Collection, as part of their "The Collector Series".[11] "Such is Life" was originally introduced live by Harley on his Christmas tour in 1980. He also introduced "My Cold Heart", "I Could Be Anyone" and a reggae-version of "Mr. Soft" on this tour.[5]

On the 12" vinyl release, exclusive in the UK, an "Extended Version" of "Irresistible" was included, remixed by Harley, and Calvin Hayes and Mike Nocito, who would later achieve fame with the British pop rock band Johnny Hates Jazz, with Clark Datchler. At the time, Hayes, being the son of Mickie Most, was an in-house producer at RAK and Mike was an in-house studio engineer. An additional track on the 12" version was "Sebastian" - which was originally Cockney Rebel's 1973 debut single.[12] All versions of the release featured a full colour picture sleeve.[13]

Following the song's release as a single, the version made its only outside appearance on the 1988 Castle Communications Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel compilation The Collection, as part of their "The Collector Series", like the b-side "Such is Life".[11]

Promotion

The single had a music video for promotion, which was played on MTV and Music Box. The clip featured Harley performing the song in a dark room, with the use of various lighting and spotlight tricks shown throughout.[14][15] 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 UK number one hit "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" from 1975.

An A4 promotional advert was issued in the British magazine Number One to promote the single, which used the single's artwork in black and white.[16]

Track listing

7" Single
  1. "Irresistible" - 3:30
  2. "Such is Life" - 3:50
12" Single
  1. "Irresistible (Extended Version)"
  2. "Sebastian"
  3. "Such is Life" - 3:50

Critical reception

In the 1990 book The Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Donald Clarke, the book's section on Harley spoke of the song, stating "Harley came back with a band '85, skirted charts with catchy 'Irresistible'."[17]

Chart performance

Chart (1985) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[18] 81

Personnel

1986 version

"Irresistible"
Single by Steve Harley
B-side "Lucky Man"
Released June 1986
Format 7", 12"
Genre Pop, Rock
Length 3:26
Label RAK Records
Writer(s) Steve Harley
Producer(s) Mickie Most
Steve Harley singles chronology
"Heartbeat Like Thunder"
(1986)		 "Irresistible"
(1986)		 "The Phantom of the Opera"
(1986)

Background

In 1986, "Irresistible" was remixed and released again as a single. Harley worked with the recording engineer Stuart Breed at A.I.R. Studios in London. Breed had come to Harley's attention through Most, who knew of his work. For the remix the pair used the original 1985 recording on a 2" Master tape, produced by Most. Harley and Breed mixed-and-matched parts of the track, and experimented with gadgets. 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 session with Most. In regards to the vocals, the remix used a different "take" taken from the original 24-track 2" tape of the 1985 version.

In the July 1992 issue of Record Collector Magazine (issue no. 115), Harley was interviewed on the release of his new album of the time - Yes You Can. He mentioned the story behind the remixing of "Irresistible". Harley revealed "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."[19][20]

In 2013 the engineer Matt Butler recalled "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 made the decision to release the song again as a single. It was released in June 1986, following the issuing of Harley's second RAK single "Heartbeat Like Thunder" earlier in April. The new "Irresistible" single was released as the lead single to a forthcoming album named El Gran Senor. However the album remained unreleased, as RAK went bust before it could released. Some of the songs due to be released on the album later appeared on the 1992 album Yes You Can.[3] The single, unlike the original 1985 version, failed to enter the UK top 100 chart. Also unlike the 1985 version, the single was only credited to Harley and not Cockney Rebel. The full five-minute extended remix was later used as the album version on the 1992 album 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 Seventies, and during his studio work with Most, Harley contacted Ronson and asked him to help out, and so Ronson played guitar on the track. Harley later commented; "Mick played guitar on a track called "Lucky Man", which was never released. 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."[21] In Classic Rock magazine of January 2008, Harley was quoted within a large feature article on Ronson, stating "I produced a track for myself in the mid-80s - a so-far unreleased 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."[22]

Release

The single was released via 7" and 12" vinyl through RAK Records in the UK only.[9] The single featured the b-side "Lucky Man" which was written by Harley and produced by Most. The b-side was exclusive to the single and has not appeared on any other release since.[23] On the 12" vinyl release, an "Extended Re-Mix" of "Irresistible" was the featured track, whilst the b-side was again "Lucky Man".[24] All versions of the release featured a full colour picture sleeve - a different design compared to the original "Irresistible" single - featuring a close up photograph of Harley.[25]

Following the song's release as a single, and later on the Yes You Can album in 1992, the extended remix/album version of the song has appeared on the 1992 compilation Make Me Smile: The Best of Steve Harley,[26] 1998 EMI compilation More Than Somewhat – The Very Best of Steve Harley and on the 2006 compilation Cockney Rebel: A Steve Harley Anthology.[27]

Promotion

The single was promoted with Harley appearing with the song on the British BBC television chat show Wogan, presented by Terry Wogan. The appearance is dated 30 July 1986, and a repeat of Harley's performance was again shown on 13 August 1986 too.[28] The song was also mimed with a backing group on the UK ITV children's TV programme Razzamatazz.[29] The broadcast of the performance was dated 13 August 1986.[30]

A collectable pin badge was released - with featured a blank design with the words "Who is irresistible?"[31]

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

1992 version

"Irresistible"
Single by Steve Harley
from the album Yes You Can
B-side "The Waggon"
Released 1992
Format CD
Genre Pop, Rock
Length 3:21
Label Comeuppance
Writer(s) Steve Harley
Producer(s) Mickie Most
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. The single was released as the lead single to Harley's 1992 solo album Yes You Can, using the remix by Stuart Breed. The release failed to enter any European top 100 charts.

In the July 1992 interview with Record Collector Magazine, 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."[32][33]

Release

The single was released via CD maxi-single through Comeuppance in Europe and not the UK.[34] It was manufactured in Switzerland. The single featured a "Radio Edit" of the song, using the 1986 remix by Breed. It also included the full remix version of "Irresistible" (used as the album version on Yes You Can) and the b-side "The Waggon". The b-side was written by Harley and originally produced by himself and Steve Hills. It had originally appeared as the b-side to Harley's previous single "When I'm With You" from 1989, where it was originally titled "The Theme From Babbacombe Lee". As the original title suggests, according to the vinyl notes, it was initially supposed to be the theme to the forthcoming film Babbacombe Lee which was never released.[35][36] For the CD single, the b-side's production was re-credited to Steve Harley and Matt Butler. The production for "Irresistible" was credited to Most and Harley.

The single was mastered by Steve Rooke and Ian Jones at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Promotion

The single was given limited promotion overall - with no music video or TV performances of the track. Since Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel's comeback tour "All is Forgiven" in 1989, the song was made part of the setlist, and this lasted into the early 1990s.

Track listing

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

Critical reception

Dave Thompson of Allmusic spoke of the song in a review of the Yes You Can album, stating "There are some heartwarming moments on this album. "Irresistible" very nearly is..."[37]

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel* - Irresistible (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  2. ↑ http://www.harleyfanzone.com/70/Scrapbook/1977/Smiler/Smiler02.htm
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Grand Senor". Steveharley.www.50megs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  4. ↑ http://www.theofficialcharts.com/search-results-album/_/Irresistible#single
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Great Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel Story". Steveharley.www.50megs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  6. ↑ "Steve Harley + Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD NTSC: Amazon.co.uk: Steve Harley: Music". Amazon.co.uk. 2012-06-11. Retrieved 2012-12-25.
  7. ↑ "Steve Harley And The Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD 2007: Amazon.co.uk: Classic Pictures: Film & TV". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-12-25.
  8. ↑ "Live From London: Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel: Amazon.co.uk: Video". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-12-25.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel* - Irresistible at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  10. ↑ "Steve Harley Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1951-02-27. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - The Collection (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  12. ↑ "Steve Harley - Irresistible (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  13. ↑ "Images for Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel* - Irresistible". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  14. ↑ Video on YouTube
  15. ↑ http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b7f433641
  16. ↑ "STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL- 1 PAGE ADVERT FROM 80s No1 MAGAZINE. IRRESISTIBLE". eBay. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  17. ↑ The Penguin encyclopedia of popular music - Donald Clarke - Google Books. Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  18. ↑ http://www.theofficialcharts.com/search-results-album/_/Irresistible#single
  19. ↑ "Page 14". Harleyfanzone.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  20. ↑ "Page 14". Harleyfanzone.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  21. ↑ "Mick Ronson Sessions - 1980s and 1990s". Mickronson.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  22. ↑ http://www.harleyfanzone.com/70/Scrapbook/2006/Ronson/Ronson.htm
  23. ↑ "Steve Harley - Irresistible / Lucky Man (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  24. ↑ "Steve Harley - Irresistible (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  25. ↑ "Images for Steve Harley - Irresistible / Lucky Man". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  26. ↑ "Make Me Smile: The Best of Steve Harley - Steve Harley : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  27. ↑ "Irresistible - Steve Harley : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  28. ↑ http://www.tvpopdiaries.co.uk/1986.html
  29. ↑ "Steve Harley Irresistible". YouTube. 2013-06-23. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  30. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1477664/
  31. ↑ "Steve Harley'S? Who Is Irresistible Pop Music Picture Badge". eBay. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  32. ↑ "Page 14". Harleyfanzone.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  33. ↑ "Page 14". Harleyfanzone.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  34. ↑ "Steve Harley - Irresistible (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  35. ↑ "Steve Harley - When I'm With You / The Theme From Babbacome Lee - Vital Vinyl - UK - VIT 3". 45cat. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  36. ↑ "Theme from "Babbacombe Lee" - single label". Images.45cat.com. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  37. ↑ Thompson, Dave. "Yes You Can - Steve Harley : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-02-01.