don't leave me this way

Thelma Houston had an international smash hit with her disco version of this Philly soul classic.  'Don't Leave Me This Way' was written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Cary Gilbert for  Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes who were on the Philadelphia International label that was founded by Huff and Gamble.  Teddy Pendergrass sang the lead vocal on the song for their album 'Wake Up Everybody'. Even though it wasn't released as a single, their version went to number three on the US Disco chart.  It also went to number thirteen in Sweden and number five in the UK in 1975.

Thelma Houston covered the song a year later and was a huge hit all over the world, going to number eighteen in Austria; seventeen in New Zealand; fifteen in Italy; thirteen in France and England; eleven in Spain; nine in Germany; six in Australia; four in Canada, Holland, and Sweden; and number one in South Africa and on the US Soul, Dance, and Pop charts.  

The Communards took their high energy version to the top of the charts in the UK in 1986.  Jazz singer Sarah Jane Morris was the guest vocalist.  It was dedicated to the Greater London Council, which was abolished by Margaret Thatcher.  

Um-hm-hm... aah ah ah...
Don't leave me this way
I can't survive, can't stay alive
Without your love, oh baby
Don't leave me this way, no
I can't exist, I'll surely miss your tender kiss
Don't leave me this way
(A broken man with empty hands
Oh baby please, don't leave me this way)
Aaah baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you
Now come on down and do what you gotta do
(Now come on girl and do what you gotta do)
You started this fire down in my soul
Now can't you see it's burning out of control
Come on (now) satisfy the need in me
Only your good lovin' can set me free... hey
Don't, don't you leave me this way, no
Don't you understand I'm at your command
Oh baby please, please don't leave me this way
Aaah baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you
Now come on down and do what you gotta do
(Now come on girl and do what you gotta do)
You started this fire down in my soul
Now can't you see it's burning out of control
Come on (now) satisfy the need in me
Only your good lovin' can set me free... hey
Need your lovin' baby, need need your love right now...
Your love is so important to me... got to have it...
('Cause it would be wrong
To string me along a love so true)