Don't Leave Me This Way
"Don't Leave Me This Way" is a song written by
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes original version
"Don't Leave Me This Way" | ||||
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Single by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes | ||||
from the album Wake Up Everybody | ||||
B-side | "To Be Free to Be Who We Are" | |||
Released |
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Recorded | 1975 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | Philadelphia International | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes singles chronology | ||||
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The Blue Notes' original version of the song, featuring
Charts
Chart (1975) | Peak position |
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US Hot Disco Singles (Billboard)[2] | 3 |
Chart (1977) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] | 78 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[4] | 29 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[5] | 13 |
5 | |
West Germany (Official German Charts)[7] | 44 |
Thelma Houston version
"Don't Leave Me This Way" | ||||
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Single by Thelma Houston | ||||
from the album Any Way You Like It | ||||
B-side | "Today Will Soon Be Yesterday" | |||
Released | December 2, 1976 | |||
Recorded | 1976 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Leon Huff | ||||
Producer(s) | Hal Davis | |||
Thelma Houston singles chronology | ||||
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"Don't Leave Me This Way" was covered by American singer Thelma Houston in 1976. Originally assigned to Diana Ross, it was intended to be the follow-up to her 1976 single "Love Hangover", but was reassigned to Houston instead.
Following the release of Houston's fourth studio album, Any Way You Like It (1976), a Boston DJ record pool unanimously reported positive audience response to "Don't Leave Me This Way" in discothèques, and the song was selected for release as a single.[8] Houston's version topped the US soul singles chart[9] and, nine weeks later, the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in April 1977. The song peaked at number 13 in the UK.[10] The song peaked at number one on the disco chart.[11] Later in the year, it was featured on the soundtrack to the film Looking for Mr. Goodbar. In 1978, Houston won the award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female at the 20th Annual Grammy Awards for her rendition of the song.[12]
Houston's version was revived in 1995 in several remixes, which reached number 19 on the US Billboard dance chart and number 35 in the UK.[10] This version got Houston ranked number 86 on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders, as well as the number-two spot on their 100 Greatest Dance Songs list. In 2021, Rolling Stone included "Don't Leave Me This Way" in their list of 500 Best Songs of All Time at No. 355,[13] while in 2022, the magazine ranked it No. 121 in their 200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time.[14]
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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The Communards version
"Don't Leave Me This Way" | ||||
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Single by the Communards with Sarah Jane Morris | ||||
from the album Communards | ||||
B-side | "Sanctified" | |||
Released | August 11, 1986 | |||
Recorded | 1985–1986 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:50 | |||
London | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Mike Thorne | |||
The Communards singles chronology | ||||
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Sarah Jane Morris singles chronology | ||||
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In 1986, the song was covered by British
The song also had a music video, which showed the band performing in an underground setting with many fans. This included a blond stoic young man as part of the crowd simply watching. In the video, it turns out that he was chased down and caught and forced to be an informant to secret police. Near the end of the video, he finally radios in to them, and at the end they turn spotlights on the band and the crowd, forcing them to scatter.
Several remixes were issued, notably the "Gotham City Mix" which was split across two sides of a 12-inch single and ran for a total of 22 minutes 55 seconds. The album liner notes dedicate the song to the Greater London Council (GLC), which had recently been abolished.
Critical reception
Much critical of the Communards' version, Simon Mills of Smash Hits stated that it "crucif[ied]" the original one "with stupid, blundering unsympathetic Hi-NRG synthesiser noices and that bloody ridiculous voice", adding that he did not like the song, the band and the single cover.[59]
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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France ( SNEP)[90]
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Silver | 400,000[82] |
Netherlands (NVPI)[91] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[92] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ Hamilton, Andrew. "Don't Leave Me This Way – Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
- ^ "Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes | Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Kent 1993, p. 197.
- ^ "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes – Don't Leave Me This Way". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
- ^ "Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- JSTOR 1250240.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 262.
- ^ a b c d "Thelma Houston: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 124.
- Grammy Foundation. November 28, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- ^ "500 Best Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ Dolan, Jon; Lopez, Julyssa; Matos, Michaelangelo; Shaffer, Claire (July 22, 2022). "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ Kent 1993, p. 142.
- ^ "Thelma Houston – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ "Thelma Houston – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Thelma Houston – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5264a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Pennanen 2021, p. 105.
- ^ a b "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved August 11, 2023. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Don't leave me this way" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca".
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Thelma Houston" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Thelma Houston – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Thelma Houston – Don't Leave Me This Way". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ "SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts H". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on May 20, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "Thelma Houston – Don't Leave Me This Way". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ "Thelma Houston Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Thelma Houston Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ a b "Thelma Houston Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Thelma Houston Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending April 16, 1977". Cash Box. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "The Cash Box Top 100 R&B – Week ending February 26, 1977". Cash Box. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Thelma Houston – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- The ARIA Report – via Imgur.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- OCLC 29800226.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ISSN 0265-1548.
- ^ Kent 1993, p. 429.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1977 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ISSN 0315-5994– via Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1977" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1977" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1970". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
- ISSN 0006-2510– via Google Books.
- ^ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1977 – Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 31, 1977. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1977 – Top 100 R&B Singles". Cash Box. December 31, 1977. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1977" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Robbins, Ira; Rompers, Terry. "Bronski Beat". Trouser Press. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
- ^ "Series: 1000 songs everyone must hear – Part two: Heartbreak". The Observer. March 15, 2009. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
The Communards' hi-NRG version makes it clear that the song is as concerned with sexual satisfaction as it is with romance; perhaps more so.
- ISSN 0006-2510– via Google Books.
- ^ Neil McCormick (October 8, 2017). "Life before Strictly: Reverend Richard Coles's drug-fuelled disco years in The Communards". The Telegraph.
- ^ a b "Communards: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 62.
- ^ Westbrook, Caroline (July 25, 2015). "The Nation's Favourite 80s Number One: 12 more classic 80s chart-toppers which didn't make the cut". Metro. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ISSN 0260-3004. Retrieved December 4, 2023 – via World Radio History.
- ^ Kent 1993, p. 72.
- ^ "Communards with Sarah Jane Morris – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Communards with Sarah Jane Morris – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- OCLC 29800226.
- ^ Pennanen 2021, p. 51.
- Les classement single. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Don't Leave Me This Way". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Communards The" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Communards with Sarah Jane Morris – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Communards with Sarah Jane Morris – Don't Leave Me This Way". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- OCLC 29800226.
- ^ "SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts C". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- OCLC 29800226.
- ^ "Communards with Sarah Jane Morris – Don't Leave Me This Way". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "The Communards Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "The Communards Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "The Communards Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending September 13, 1986". Cash Box. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Communards with Sarah Jane Morris – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report. No. 650. December 29, 1986 – via Imgur.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1986 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- OCLC 29800226.
- ^ a b "Top – 1986". Top-france.fr (in French). Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ISSN 0265-1548.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1986" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- OCLC 29800226.
- OCLC 29800226.
- ISSN 0006-2510– via Google Books.
- Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "Dutch single certifications – The Communards – Don't Leave Me This Way" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 16, 2022. Enter Don't Leave Me This Way in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1986 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "British single certifications – The Communards – Don't Leave Me This Way". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
Bibliography
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- Pennanen, Timo (2021). Sisältää hitin – Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish) (2nd ed.). Helsinki: ISBN 978-952-7460-01-6.