“Irresistible” was released for the third and final time as a single in 1992, now as the lead single from Harley’s third solo studio album, Yes You Can, in Europe. The song was written by Harley and was produced by Harley and English producer Mickie Most. The 1992 release uses the Stuart Breed remix of “Irresistible”, originally released in 1986.
Background
In 1992, “Irresistible” was released for the third and final time as a single. A re-release of Breed’s 1986 remix, the song was released in Europe as the lead single from Harley’s third solo album Yes You Can. In his 1992 interview with Record Collector, Harley said, “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.”
Release
“Irresistible” was released as a CD single by Comeuppance Ltd in Europe. The release included a new “Radio Edit” of the song, Breed’s extended remix (also the album version on Yes You Can), 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 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 originally appeared as the B-side to Harley’s 1989 single “When I’m with You”, where it was titled “The Theme from Babbacombe Lee”.
Live performances
“Irresistible” was frequently included in the setlist on the band’s tours between 1989 and 1993. Harley’s brother and Cockney Rebel keyboardist Ian Nice recalled in 2025, “It was tough to play live back in those days. I needed four keyboards and a sound module as there are so many keyboard overdubs on the original recording. I looked like an octopus playing it onstage!”
Critical reception
In a retrospective review of Yes You Can, Dave Thompson of AllMusic stated, “There are some heartwarming moments on this album. ‘Irresistible’ very nearly is…”
Track listing
CD single (Europe)
- “Irresistible” (Radio Edit) – 3:21
- “Irresistible” (Album Version) – 5:04
- “The Waggon” – 3:04
Personnel
Production
- Steve Harley – producer on “Irresistible” and “The Waggon”
- Mickie Most – producer on “Irresistible”
- Stuart Breed – remixer on “Irresistible”
- Matt Butler – producer on “The Waggon”
- Ian Jones, Steve Rooke – mastering
Other
- Kevin Williamson, Mike Simister – illustration
- Steven D. Schwachter – art layout, design
