Burning The Ground Exclusive
In the summer of 1988, Robert Palmer stormed back onto the charts with “Simply Irresistible,” a bold, brash, and unapologetically confident anthem that became one of the defining hits of his career. Taken from his platinum-selling ninth studio album, Heavy Nova, the track showcased Palmer’s sleek fusion of hard rock swagger and dancefloor sheen — a formula he’d perfected since his Riptide days and the smash success of “Addicted to Love.”
Produced by Palmer himself, “Simply Irresistible” features an explosive horn section, stomping drums, and his signature vocal coolness, delivered with razor-sharp precision. The song’s infectious chorus, underscored by a wall of sound production, became an instant earworm that dominated radio and MTV alike.
The 12″ mix expands on the already high-octane energy of the single, giving DJs and fans a longer dose of that irresistible groove. Clocking in at just over six minutes, this extended version retains all the bombast of the original while giving the arrangement more breathing room — emphasizing the pulsing basslines, pounding percussion, and layers of synth and guitar that made the track a dance-rock juggernaut.
Visually, “Simply Irresistible” was immortalized by a striking music video directed by British fashion photographer Terence Donovan, featuring a cadre of identically styled women in black dresses and red lipstick, moving in mechanical precision. It was a continuation of the stylized aesthetic from “Addicted to Love” and helped cement Palmer’s image as the epitome of 80s cool.
Commercially, the single was a major success:
#2 on the US Billboard Hot 100
#1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart
Top 20 in Canada, Australia, and several European countries
Though some critics at the time were divided, accusing Palmer of recycling the formula that brought him success in 1986, fans embraced it wholeheartedly, and decades later, it’s still celebrated as a quintessential late-80s power pop anthem.
If Addicted to Love made Robert Palmer a superstar, “Simply Irresistible” proved it was no fluke — he truly had an irresistible formula.
SIDE A:
Simply Irresistible (Extended Version) 6:33
Simply Irresistible (7″ Version) 4:15
SIDE B:
Simply Irresistible (Instrumental) 4:46
Nova 2:56
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Simply Irresistible | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #2 |
| 1988 | Simply Irresistible | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #1 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI-Manhattan Records – V-56095
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock
CREDITS:
- Executive-Producer – David Harper (4)
- Mixed By – Eric “ET” Thorngren*
- Producer – Robert Palmer
NOTES:
Produced for Remlap Co. Inc., Direct Metal Mastering.
The album version can be heard on Heavy Nova.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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What a great song, and this is my first time hearing the extended version! thank you for posting this.
I still remember seeing the video for this on MTV. I didn’t hear it much on the radio at the time though. Explosive production, which always gets my feet moving.
Robert Palmer did a great cover version of Marvin Gaye – Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You in 1990, which charted well in the UK charts.
Thanks Paul
This is really weird, because I’m always singing that song when nobody can hear me. I used to sing it to my favorite Kitty.
I wasn’t a fan of Robert Palmer. I’ve never even seen the video. But I dig that song, it’s tattooed on my brain. Damn you, Robert Palmer!
Thanks for the upload, Paul.
Haha, I love that, Muff Diver — what a visual! You serenading your kitty with “Simply Irresistible” is honestly the best thing I’ve heard all week. 😄 It’s funny how a song can sneak in and take up permanent residence in your brain, even if you’re not a fan of the artist overall. That hook is lethal — Palmer really knew how to craft something that sticks. If you ever do check out the video, prepare yourself — it’s peak 80s, all stylized models and slick suits. Totally over-the-top, but that’s part of its charm. Thanks for dropping by and… Read more »
thank you for this Paul! “Nova” was always one of my fave b-sides of his
I love “Nova” too, Lee, so atmospheric.
It’s really weird, but this flopped here in his native UK. I’m guessing that radio stations at the time gave it a miss, as it’s a great song. ‘She Makes My Day’s was his big hit that year. Quite a few of his songs didn’t do much in the UK charts. ‘Johnny And Mary’s somehow missed the top 40 too, which is such a shame!
Right? It is strange how this one didn’t catch fire in the UK, especially considering how massive it was in the States. You’d think with Palmer’s profile riding high after The Power Station and Riptide, “Simply Irresistible” would’ve been a guaranteed hit back home — but radio airplay really does make or break a single, and it seems like UK stations just didn’t bite. “She Makes My Day” is lovely, but such a contrast — smooth and understated where “Simply Irresistible” is all bombast and bravado. Palmer was so versatile, but that versatility might’ve worked against him chart-wise in the… Read more »
Many thanks for posting this gem of a song. When I was 15 I bought a tape of Addictions Volume 1 and was instantly hooked. I couldn’t believe how many different styles of music he could write. This is one of his greatest rock songs. BTW: The extended mix on this is actually the so-called E.T. Mix. There is another shorter extended mix running for 5.14 minutes.
You’re welcome. The version that appears on European and Australian releases, 5:14, was also mixed by E.T. and shares the same “Extended Version” mix title—kind of confusing.
You are right, of course. Compared the two versions which can be found on the expanded edition 2013. The shorter mix appears to be just an edit of the longer mix. According to Discogs the longer remix was only labeled ET mix when released on the b-side of „ She makes my day“, the follow up single from the Heavy Nova Album.
I remember when this song was released I assumed it was the rumored song Prince wrote for him. I could even almost hear Prince singing it. Of course, then I found out Prince did not write it after all, which was a bummer. Years later I would find out Prince gave him “Lust U Always,” a song he had written years earlier. Depending on who you believe, the Prince song master tapes either got lost in ownership when he left Island for EMI, or Palmer just recorded it so as not to insult Prince, because he didn’t think much of… Read more »
Thanks for sharing that memory, ING! That’s a fascinating bit of speculation — and I can totally see why you’d think “Simply Irresistible” had Prince’s fingerprints on it. The groove, the swagger, the attitude — it does feel like something Prince could’ve cooked up, especially in the Lovesexy-era vibe. Even Palmer’s vocal phrasing on parts of the track has a sly, funky precision that Prince could’ve easily delivered. The whole “Lust U Always” story is such an intriguing what-could-have-been. It’s one of those elusive tracks that lives in that grey area between rumor and legend, with just enough credible detail… Read more »
❤️
Oh, to clarify, my final statement was about Simply Irresistible, but Lust U Always, in the bootleg form I’ve heard, is a good track as well! 😆
After The Power Station and “Riptide” Robert Palmer was at an all time high, I knew he had a new record coming out and even I wondered what he would do next. Here is the point where I feel he jumped the shark, this has everything you might expect from a Robert Palmer song and video, it is top rate for what it is, and checks all the boxes, essentially a sequel, yet it veers into self parody, like it was done for SNL. Of course comedy was something that Robert Palmer utilized through his career to good effect. When… Read more »
That is quite the write up! 😆
Joey, this is such a spot-on take — I really appreciate your perspective. You’re absolutely right: by the time Heavy Nova dropped, Palmer was riding the wave of The Power Station and Riptide success, and expectations were sky-high. “Simply Irresistible” really did feel like the logical next step — bigger, glossier, and louder — but also risked slipping into that “too perfect” territory where the formula starts to feel self-aware, even cartoonish. The SNL comparison made me laugh — because yes, in hindsight, the whole thing does teeter right on the edge of parody. The video especially! It’s so precisely… Read more »
I was wondering what you might post after the Bruce Springsteen trifecta of Arthur Baker remixes!! This is a perfect choice, Paul!! I’m so jazzed to get this 12-inch mix from you because it really slams and has this wonderful energy to it! Already my heart is synching up to the pounding BPM of the song!! I’m perspiring in expectation to get up on my feet and succumb to the beats!! The moisture is pouring out my skin and I’m about to shed some clothes!! Damn, Paul, you’re on a hot streak here with all these powerful rock singles!! I… Read more »
Jeff, your comments are always a full-body experience — I can feel the energy radiating through the screen! 😂 After the Bruce/Baker blast, I knew I had to keep the BPMs pounding and the guitars screaming, and what better way than with Palmer’s high-octane masterpiece? “Simply Irresistible” really does hit like a freight train — it’s all adrenaline, attitude, and that signature Palmer polish. I’m thrilled to hear it’s got your pulse racing and the clothes coming off! (This blog is rated PG-13, right? 😄) And yes — the stylus has definitely broken a sweat lately, riding the grooves of… Read more »
LOL!! I haven’t come down from the high of the last 3 days – the Bruce Trifecta!! I was thinking the same thing as you Jeff (great minds think alike :))… How could Paul possibly top himself?? Well this does it. Eddie Martinez’ fiery guitar, the booming, steady backbeat, Robert Palmer’s cool as ever vocal delivery… This will keep me going all through the weekend! Ah the 80’s – whatever was your genre of choice, you always got the very best there was to offer. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into this and crank it up LOUD… The… Read more »
Thanks for the rip, Paul! This one of those songs that was such a success, played well for a year, and then seemingly never played again. In my vast cd collection of over 5000 discs, with sooo many 80s collections, this track is only on 1 disc and that’s the Addictions Volume 1 collection by him. And again, we just never ever hear it. Kinda weird it’s basically been forgotten. Anyway, thank you so much for reviving this! Have a great day!
Thanks, Fred! I know exactly what you mean — “Simply Irresistible” was absolutely everywhere in ’88, then suddenly vanished like it had fulfilled its chart destiny and retired! It’s wild how something that felt so omnipresent could end up almost forgotten, especially when it still packs such a punch. And you’re right — aside from Addictions Vol. 1, it’s surprisingly scarce on most 80s compilations, which is baffling given how iconic it was at the time. That’s exactly why I love doing these posts — bringing these lost-in-plain-sight tracks back into the spotlight where they belong. Really glad to be… Read more »