"Gonna Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse" is a song written in 1973 by
John Worth,
a pseudonym used by John Worsley (also known as
Les Vandyke). It was originally sung by the American
soul singer
Jimmy Helms
James D. Helms (born September 27, 1941) is an American soul singer, known as a member of Londonbeat but who also had solo hits such as " Gonna Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse".
Early years
James D. Helms was born in Florida, United States. ...
, and the track was
arranged by
Mike Moran.
The single was issued by
Cube Records
Cube Records was launched on 26 May 1972 by independent music publisher David Platz, and was based at his UK offices for Essex Music.
History
Platz had entered the arena of record production in the early 1960s, and having had a string of hit ...
in the UK.
The single first charted in February 1973,
and it peaked at No. 8 in the
UK Singles Chart, spending ten weeks in that listing.
The track is still played on
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content. ...
, with three outings between August 2017 and February 2018.
Between 1972 and 1975, Helms recorded prolifically for the Cube label, largely due to the success of this song.
However, he did not have another solo hit in the UK,
although Helms found further chart success in both the UK and US as part of
Londonbeat in 1990s.
Cover versions
The song has also been recorded by Lisa Linn, and The Gentle Rain (also in 1973).
Les McKeown also did a longer cover in his 1982 album, ''Heart Control''.
Other information
The song has appeared on a number of
compilation album
A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several Performing arts#Performers, performers. If by one artist, then generally the tr ...
s including ''Heart & Soul'' (1997),
''Everlasting Love'' (1999),
and Helms's own earlier collection ''Gonna Make You An Offer...'' (1975).
References
External links
YouTube
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1973 songs
1973 singles
Songs written by Les Vandyke
British soul songs
1970s ballads
Pop ballads