I remembered this from long ago; it's standard late 1960s soul. I enjoyed listening to it again but the lyrics imply that the female protagonist of this song is a bit obsessed with her potential lover. It doesn't bode well for their future, I fear.
Madeline Bell (born 1942) was from Newark, New Jersey. She started her career as a session singer before recording solo releases of her own. "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" was her most successful single, reaching #26 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Bell then joined Blue Mink, a British band that also featured Roger Cook, who was half of the duo David and Jonathan. Blue Mink reached the British top thirty seven times between 1969 and 1973, including reaching #3 with "Melting Pot" in 1969 and "The Banner Man" in 1971.
Ms. Bell continued working as a session singer and later joined the French disco group Space, who were successful in Europe in the late 1970s. She now lives in Spain and tours regularly in Europe; she last released a solo album in 2014.
Two other versions of "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" exist. The original version was recorded by Dee Dee Warwick (Dionne Warwick's sister) in 1966; it reached #13 on the U.S. R&B chart and #88 on the Hot 100. The Supremes and the Temptations recorded a version of this in 1969, with Diana Ross and Eddie Kendricks sharing lead vocals; it reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on the CHUM chart. Of the three versions, I like Ms. Bell's the best.
Created October 21, 2026.