Peak
40
Weeks
13
Score
896
Chart Year
1987
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Written by the soul songwriting team of Gamble & Huff (with Cary Gilbert), "Don't Leave Me This Way" was first recorded in 1975 by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes; their version went to #5 in the UK. In America, it was a #1 hit for Thelma Houston in 1977 (in the UK, her version reached #13). The Communards decided to cover the song, as Jimmy Somerville loved Houston's disco version, while Richard Coles liked the Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes one. This was dedicated to the Greater London Council (GLC), London's top administrative body, which was about to be abolished by Margaret Thatcher, a move that was drawing much criticism from left wing quarters. In the UK this was the biggest-selling single of 1986, helped by the inclusion of an innovative 22:55 extended version. The Communards were a UK duo formed in 1985 by ex Bronski Beat singer Jimmy Somerville and classically trained pianist Richard Coles. They named themselves The Communards after a group of 19th century French revolutionaries. They disbanded in 1988. The female vocalist on this song is Sarah Jane Morris, also a jazz vocalist and actress. In 1992 she had a #1 hit in Italy with a cover of Barry White's "Never Never Gonna Give You Up." Morris was an old college friend of Richard Coles. The Communards version both added and omitted some parts. Jimmy Sommerville's verse, from "I can't survive, I can't stay alive" to "I'll surely miss you're tender kiss" and Sara Jane Morris' verse, "I Don't Understand" had a few other verses between them ("A broken man with empty hands," "It would be wrong to string along a love so true") and the parts "Believe" and "Don't satisfy me" were nonexistent. >>
Don't leave me this way I can't survive, I can't stay alive Without your love, no baby Don't leave me this way I can't exist, I will surely miss your tender kiss So don't leave me this way Oh, baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you So come on down and do what you've got to do You started this fire down in my soul Now can't you see it's burning out of control So come on down and satisfy the need in me 'Cause only your good loving can set me free Don't leave me this way I don't understand how I'm at your command So baby please, so don't you leave me this way Oh, baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you So come on down and do what you've got to do You started this fire down in my soul Now can't you see it's burning out of control So come on down and satisfy the need in me 'Cause only your good loving can set me free (Set me free, set me free, set me free, set me free, set me free) (Free, free, free, free) (Come satisfy me, come satisfy me Come satisfy me, come satisfy me Come satisfy me, come satisfy me) Don't you leave me this way Don't leave me this way, Ooh, baby, I can't exist, I will surely miss your tender kiss So don't leave me this way Oh baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you So come on down and do what you've got to do You started this fire down in my soul Now can't you see it's burning out of control So come on down and satisfy the need in me 'Cause only your good loving can set me free (Set me free, set me free, set me free, set me free, set me free Set me free, set me free, oh baby) Don't you know by now, don't you know by now Don't you know by now, don't you know by now I'm losing control, I'm losing control
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 27, 1986 | 87 | 39 |
| 2 | Jan 3, 1987 | 87 | 39 |
| 3 | Jan 10, 1987 | 83 | 43 |
| 4 | Jan 17, 1987 | 81 | 45 |
| 5 | Jan 24, 1987 | 78 | 48 |
| 6 | Jan 31, 1987 | 65 | 61 |
| 7 | Feb 7, 1987 | 58 | 68 |
| 8 | Feb 14, 1987 | 53 | 73 |
| 9 | Feb 21, 1987 | 46 | 80 |
| 10 | Feb 28, 1987 | 42 | 84 |
| 11 | Mar 7, 1987 | 40 | 86 |
| 12 | Mar 14, 1987 | 62 | 64 |
| 13 | Mar 21, 1987 | 81 | 45 |