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Don't Leave Me This Way

{{short description|1975 song by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes}}

{{about|the song written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert|the Tina Turner song|Don't Leave Me This Way (Tina Turner song)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}

"Don't Leave Me This Way" is a song written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert. It was originally released in 1975 by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes featuring Teddy Pendergrass, an act signed to Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label. "Don't Leave Me This Way" was subsequently covered by American singer Thelma Houston in 1976 and British duo the Communards in 1986, with both versions achieving commercial success.

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes original version

{{Infobox song

| name = Don't Leave Me This Way

| image = Don't leave me this way by harold melvin and the bluenotes UK single solid centre.png

| alt = side-A label

| caption = Solid centre variant of the UK single

| type = single

| artist = Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

| album = Wake Up Everybody

| B-side = To Be Free to Be Who We Are

| released =

  • November 1975 (as an album track)
  • November 1976 (as a single)

| recorded = 1975

| studio = Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

| genre =

| length =

  • 6:08 (album version)
  • 3:59 (7″ edit)
  • 7:07 (12″ version)
  • 11:00 (1984 version)

| label = Philadelphia International

| writer =

| producer =

  • Kenneth Gamble
  • Leon Huff

| prev_title = Tell the World How I Feel about 'Cha Baby

| prev_year = 1976

| next_title = Reaching for the World

| next_year = 1977

| misc =

}}

The Blue Notes' original version of the song, featuring Teddy Pendergrass's lead vocals, was included on the group's 1975 album Wake Up Everybody. Though not issued as a single in the United States at the time, the Blue Notes' recording reached number three on the US Billboard Hot Disco Singles chart in the wake of Thelma Houston's version. The song proved to be the group's highest-peaking entry in the United Kingdom, reaching number five on the UK Singles Chart, when released there as a single in 1977. It became the title track of a budget LP issued on the CBS Embassy label in the UK in 1978.{{cite web|last=Hamilton|first=Andrew|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/dont-leave-me-this-way-mw0000857466|title=Don't Leave Me This Way – Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes | Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic|access-date=October 10, 2016}} The track was finally issued as a 12-inch single in the US in 1979, coupled with "Bad Luck".

=Charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 1975 weekly chart performance for "Don't Leave Me This Way"

! scope="col"| Chart (1975)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| US Hot Disco Singles (Billboard){{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/harold-melvin-the-blue-notes-mn0000665957/awards |title=Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes {{!}} Awards |website=AllMusic |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031051632/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/harold-melvin-the-blue-notes-mn0000665957/awards |archive-date=October 31, 2013}}

| 3

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 1977 weekly chart performance for "Don't Leave Me This Way"

! scope="col"| Chart (1977)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report){{sfn|Kent|1993|p=197}}

| 78

{{single chart|Flanders|29|artist=Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|Sweden|13|artist=Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 3, 2008}}
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|5|artist=Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes|artistid=14763|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|West Germany|44|songid=22514|artist=Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}

{{clear}}

Thelma Houston version

{{Infobox song

| name = Don't Leave Me This Way

| image = Don't leave me this way by thelma houston US single side-A variant A.png

| alt = side-A label

| caption = A-side label of the US single

| type = single

| artist = Thelma Houston

| album = Any Way You Like It

| B-side = Today Will Soon Be Yesterday

| released = December 2, 1976

| recorded = 1976

| studio =

| genre = {{hlist|Disco|soul|rhythm and blues}}

| length = * 5:42 (album version)

  • 3:35 (radio edit)

| label = Tamla

| writer = {{hlist|Kenneth Gamble|Leon Huff|Cary Gilbert}}

| producer = Hal Davis

| prev_title = You've Been Doing Wrong for So Long

| prev_year = 1976

| next_title = If It's the Last Thing I Do

| next_year = 1977

}}

"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.{{cite journal|last=Stibal|first=Mary E.|date=October 1977|title=Disco—Birth of a New Marketing System|journal=Journal of Marketing|publisher=American Marketing Association|volume=41|issue=4|pages=82–88|doi=10.2307/1250240|jstor=1250240}} Houston's version topped the US soul singles chart{{cite book|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|author-link=Joel Whitburn|year=2004|publisher=Record Research|page=262}} and, nine weeks later, the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in April 1977. The song peaked at number 13 in the UK. The song peaked at number one on the disco chart.{{cite book|title=Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|author-link=Joel Whitburn|year=2004|publisher=Record Research|page=124}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/20th-annual-grammy-awards-1977|title=Past Winners Search|date=November 28, 2017|publisher=Grammy Foundation|access-date=September 11, 2020}}

=Legacy=

Houston's version was revived in 1995 in several remixes, which reached No. 19 on the US Billboard dance chart and No. 35 in the UK. This version got Houston ranked No. 86 on VH1's "100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders", as well as the number-two spot on their "100 Greatest Dance Songs" list in 2000. In 2012, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 8 in their list of "The Best Disco Songs of All Time".{{cite magazine|title=The Best Disco Songs of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-best-disco-songs-of-all-time-17854|work=Rolling Stone|date=May 23, 2012|access-date=April 11, 2025}} In 2020, Slant Magazine ranked it No. 8 in their "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time".{{cite magazine|author=Slant Staff|title=The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/100-greatest-dance-songs/|magazine=Slant Magazine|date=June 15, 2020|accessdate=April 10, 2025}} In 2021, Rolling Stone included "Don't Leave Me This Way" in their list of "500 Best Songs of All Time" at No. 355,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/the-supremes-baby-love-3-1224838/|title=500 Best Songs of All Time|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 15, 2021|access-date=February 18, 2022}} while in 2022, the magazine ranked it No. 121 in their "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".{{cite magazine|first1=Jon|last1=Dolan|first2=Julyssa|last2=Lopez|first3=Michaelangelo|last3=Matos|first4=Claire|last4=Shaffer|title=200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/200-greatest-dance-songs-of-all-time-1372888|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 22, 2022|accessdate=October 30, 2022}} In 2025, Billboard ranked it No. 55 in their "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time".{{cite web|first1=Andrea|last1=Domanick|first2=Andrew|last2=Unterberger|first3=Elias|last3=Leight|first4=Eric|last4=Renner Brown|first5=Jason|last5=Lipshutz|first6=Joe|last6=Lynch|first7=Kat|last7=Bein|first8=Katie|last8=Bein|first9=Krystal|last9=Rodriguez|first10=Lily|last10=Moayeri|first11=Melinda|last11=Newman|first12=Thomas|last12=Smith|first13=Zei|last13=McCarthy|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-dance-songs-all-time/|title=The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time: Staff List|work=Billboard|date=March 28, 2025|access-date=April 6, 2025}}

=Charts=

{{col-begin|width=74%}}

{{col-2}}

==Weekly charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Weekly chart performance for "Don't Leave Me This Way"

! scope="col"| Chart (1976–1977)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report){{sfn|Kent|1993|p=142}}

| 6

{{single chart|Austria|18|artist=Thelma Houston|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=June 15, 2013}}
{{single chart|Flanders|7|artist=Thelma Houston|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|Wallonia|1|artist=Thelma Houston|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|4|chartid=5264a|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
scope="row"| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{sfn|Pennanen|2021|p=105}}

| 25

scope="row"| Italy (Musica e dischi){{cite magazine |url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php |title=Classifiche |magazine=Musica e dischi |language=it |access-date=August 11, 2023}} Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Don't leave me this way" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca".

| 15

{{single chart|Dutch40|4|artist=Thelma Houston|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|4|artist=Thelma Houston|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|17|artist=Thelma Houston|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=June 15, 2013}}
scope="row"| South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web |url=http://rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(H).html |title=SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts H |website=The South African Rock Encyclopedia |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520042247/http://rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(H).html |archive-date=May 20, 2018}}

| 1

scope="row"| Spain (AFYVE){{cite book |last=Salaverrie |first=Fernando |date=September 2005 |title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 |language=es |edition=1st |location=Madrid |publisher=Fundación Autor/SGAE |isbn=84-8048-639-2}}

| 11

{{single chart|Sweden|4|artist=Thelma Houston|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=June 15, 2013}}
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|13|artist=Thelma Houston|artistid=16031|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2016|refname="ThelmaUK"}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Thelma Houston|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|40|artist=Thelma Houston|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Thelma Houston|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|1|artist=Thelma Houston|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
scope="row"| US Cash Box Top 100{{cite magazine |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19770416.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending April 16, 1977 |magazine=Cash Box |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329030148/https://www.cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19770416.html |archive-date=March 29, 2019}}

| 3

scope="row"| US Top 100 R&B (Cash Box){{cite magazine |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives-r/70s_files/19770226R.html |title=The Cash Box Top 100 R&B – Week ending February 26, 1977 |magazine=Cash Box |access-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503052530/https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives-r/70s_files/19770226R.html |archive-date=May 3, 2022}}

| 1

{{single chart|West Germany|5|songid=22213|artist=Thelma Houston|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Weekly chart performance for "Don't Leave Me This Way" (remix)

! scope="col"| Chart (1995)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite magazine|url=https://i.imgur.com/VHFeW8O.jpg|title=Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 21 May 1995|magazine=The ARIA Report|via=Imgur}}{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}

| 83

scope="row"| Europe (European Dance Radio){{cite magazine |title=European Dance Radio |magazine=Music & Media |volume=12 |issue=8 |date=February 25, 1995 |page=18 |oclc=29800226}}

| 13

{{single chart|Scotland|24|date=19950115|rowheader=true|access-date=October 13, 2021}}
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|35|artist=Thelma Houston|artistid=16031|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2016|refname="ThelmaUK"}}
scope="row"| UK on a Pop Tip Club Chart (Music Week){{cite magazine |title=The RM on a Pop Tip Club Chart |magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) |date=January 21, 1995 |page=8 |issn=0265-1548}}

| 4

{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|19|artist=Thelma Houston|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020|with "Any Way You Like It"}}

{{col-2}}

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Year-end chart performance for "Don't Leave Me This Way"

! scope="col"| Chart (1977)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report){{sfn|Kent|1993|p=429}}

| 21

scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1977&cat=s |title=Jaaroverzichten 1977 – Singles |language=nl |publisher=Ultratop |access-date=December 19, 2020}}

| 49

scope="row"| Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine |url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5502a&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5502a.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5502a |title=Top 200 singles of '77 |magazine=RPM |volume=28 |issue=14 |date=December 31, 1977 |page=13 |issn=0315-5994 |via=Library and Archives Canada}}

| 48

scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1977 |title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1977 |language=nl |publisher=Dutch Top 40 |access-date=December 19, 2020}}

| 42

scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1977&cat=s |title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1977 |language=nl |publisher=Dutch Charts |access-date=December 19, 2020}}

| 48

scope="row"| South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web |url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/sahits_1977.html |title=Top 20 Hit Singles of 1970 |website=The South African Rock Encyclopedia |access-date=September 2, 2018}}

| 7

scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1977/hot-100-songs |title=Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1977 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419221622/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1977/hot-100-songs |archive-date=April 19, 2021}}

| 7

scope="row"| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k0UEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT95 |title=Talent in Action – Disco Audience Response |magazine=Billboard |volume=89 |issue=51 |date=December 24, 1977 |page=94 |issn=0006-2510 |via=Google Books}}

| 1

scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k0UEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT91 |title=Talent in Action – Soul Singles |magazine=Billboard |volume=89 |issue=51 |date=December 24, 1977 |page=90 |issn=0006-2510 |via=Google Books}}

| 12

scope="row"| US Cash Box Top 100{{cite magazine |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/1977YESP.html |title=The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1977 – Top 100 Pop Singles |magazine=Cash Box |date=December 31, 1977 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323023341/http://www.cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/1977YESP.html |archive-date=March 23, 2019}}

| 17

scope="row"| US Top 100 R&B (Cash Box){{cite magazine |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives-r/70s_files/1977YESR.html |title=The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1977 – Top 100 R&B Singles |magazine=Cash Box |date=December 31, 1977 |access-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503051735/https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives-r/70s_files/1977YESR.html |archive-date=May 3, 2022}}

| 34

scope="row"| West Germany (GfK){{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1977 |title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1977 |language=de |publisher=GfK Entertainment |access-date=February 7, 2022}}

| 32

{{col-end}}

{{clear}}

The Communards version

{{Infobox song

| name = Don't Leave Me This Way

| cover = Communards with Sarah Jane Morris Don't Leave Me This Way single cover.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = the Communards with Sarah Jane Morris

| album = Communards

| B-side = Sanctified

| released = {{start date|1986|8|11}}{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1986/Music-Week-1986-08-09.pdf|title=Music Week|page=12}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

  • Hi-NRG{{cite magazine|first1=Ira|last1=Robbins|first2=Terry|last2=Rompers|title=Bronski Beat|magazine=Trouser Press|access-date=October 25, 2013|url=http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=bronski_beat}}{{cite news|title= Series: 1000 songs everyone must hear – Part two: Heartbreak |newspaper= The Observer |date= March 15, 2009 |quote= 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. |access-date= October 25, 2013 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/table/2009/mar/15/heartbreak-1000-songs-everyone-must-hear}}{{cite magazine|title=Reviews > Dance > Picks > Communards – Don't Leave Me This Way|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ayQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT70|page=73|magazine=Billboard|volume=98|issue=38|date=September 20, 1986|issn=0006-2510|via=Google Books}}
  • disco{{cite web|website=The Telegraph|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/life-strictly-reverend-richard-coless-drug-fuelled-disco-years/|title= Life before Strictly: Reverend Richard Coles's drug-fuelled disco years in The Communards|author=Neil McCormick|date=October 8, 2017}}

| length =

  • 4:50 (album version)
  • 4:36 (single edit)

| label = London

| writer =

| producer = Mike Thorne

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = The Communards

| type = single

| prev_title = Disenchanted

| prev_year = 1986

| title = Don't Leave Me This Way

| year = 1986

| next_title = So Cold the Night

| next_year = 1986

}}

{{Extra chronology

| artist = Sarah Jane Morris

| type = single

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| title = Don't Leave Me This Way

| year = 1986

| next_title = Can't Get to Sleep Without You

| next_year = 1988

}}

}}

In 1986, the song was covered by British synth-pop duo the Communards in a hi-NRG version. This recording topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in September 1986, becoming the best-selling single of the year in the United Kingdom. The featured guest vocalist was jazz singer Sarah Jane Morris. The song reached number 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard dance chart.{{cite book|title=Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|author-link=Joel Whitburn|year=2004|publisher=Record Research|page=62}} In 2015, the song was voted by the British public as the nation's 16th favorite 1980s number one in a poll for ITV.{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/25/the-nations-favourite-80s-number-one-12-more-classic-80s-chart-toppers-which-didnt-make-the-cut-5312786/|title=The Nation's Favourite 80s Number One: 12 more classic 80s chart-toppers which didn't make the cut|work=Metro|first=Caroline|last=Westbrook|date=July 25, 2015|access-date=July 27, 2015}}

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 "crucified" the original one "with stupid, blundering unsympathetic Hi-NRG synthesiser noises and that bloody ridiculous voice", adding that he did not like the song, the band and the single cover.{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Smash-Hits/1986/Smash-Hits-1986-08-13.pdf |title=Singles reviewed by Simon Mills |magazine=Smash Hits |volume=8 |issue=17 |date=August 13–26, 1986 |last=Mills |first=Simon |page=73 |issn=0260-3004 |via=World Radio History |access-date=December 4, 2023}}

=Charts=

{{col-begin|width=74%}}

{{col-2}}

==Weekly charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Weekly chart performance for "Don't Leave Me This Way"

! scope="col"| Chart (1986–1987)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report){{sfn|Kent|1993|p=72}}

| 2

{{single chart|Austria|19|artist=Communards with Sarah Jane Morris|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|Flanders|1|artist=Communards with Sarah Jane Morris|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
scope="row"| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite magazine |title=European Hot 100 Singles |magazine=Music & Media |volume=3 |issue=42 |date=October 25, 1986 |page=14 |oclc=29800226}}

| 3

scope="row"| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{sfn|Pennanen|2021|p=51}}

| 8

{{single chart|France|6|artist=Communards with Sarah Jane Morris|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|1|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
scope="row"| Italy (Musica e dischi)

| 3

{{single chart|Dutch40|1|artist=Communards The|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|1|artist=Communards with Sarah Jane Morris|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|2|artist=Communards with Sarah Jane Morris|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
scope="row"| Portugal (AFP){{cite magazine |title=M&M Highlights |magazine=Music & Media |volume=4 |issue=8 |date=February 28, 1987 |page=23 |oclc=29800226}}

| 2

scope="row"| South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web |url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(C).html |title=SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts C |website=The South African Rock Encyclopedia |access-date=June 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307213815/http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(C).html |archive-date=March 7, 2019}}

| 3

scope="row"| Spain (AFYVE){{cite magazine |title=Top 3 in Europe |magazine=Music & Media |volume=3 |issue=51/52 |date=December 27, 1986 |page=23 |oclc=29800226}}

| 1

{{single chart|Switzerland|2|artist=Communards with Sarah Jane Morris|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020}}
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|1|artist=Communards|artistid=22830|rowheader=true|access-date=December 19, 2020|refname="CommunardsUK"}}
scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1987-03-07/| title=Billboard Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |date=March 7, 1987 |access-date=April 21, 2025}}

| 40

scope="row"| US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-dance-singles-sales/1986-11-08/| title=Dance Singles Sales |magazine=Billboard |date=November 8, 1986 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 21, 2025}}

| 3

scope="row"| US Dance/Disco Club Play (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/1986-11-22/| title=Dance Club Songs |magazine=Billboard |date=November 22, 1986 |access-date=April 21, 2025}}

| 1

scope="row"| US Cash Box Top 100 Singles{{cite magazine |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19870307.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending September 13, 1986 |magazine=Cash Box |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303194831/https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19870307.html |archive-date=March 3, 2020}}

| 55

{{single chart|West Germany|5|artist=Communards with Sarah Jane Morris|song=Don't Leave Me This Way|songid=1510|rowheader=true|access-date=February 18, 2019}}

{{col-2}}

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 1986 year-end chart performance for "Don't Leave Me This Way"

! scope="col"| Chart (1986)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite magazine|url=https://i.imgur.com/F7ais40.jpg|title=National Top 100 Singles for 1986|magazine=Kent Music Report|issue=650|date=December 29, 1986|via=Imgur}}

| 17

scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1986&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten 1986 – Singles|language=nl|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=May 30, 2020}}

| 2

scope="row"| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite magazine |title=Hot 100 of the Year 1986 – European Hot 100 Singles |magazine=Music & Media |volume=3 |issue=51/52 |date=December 27, 1986 |page=28 |oclc=29800226}}

| 27

scope="row"| France (IFOP){{cite web |url=http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1986.htm |title=Top – 1986 |website=Top-france.fr |language=fr |access-date=July 3, 2023}}

| 22

scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1986|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986|language=nl|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=May 30, 2020}}

| 5

scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1986&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986|language=nl|publisher=Dutch Charts|access-date=May 30, 2020}}

| 2

scope="row"| UK Singles (Gallup){{cite magazine |title=Top 100 Singles (January to December 1986) |magazine=Music Week |date=January 24, 1987 |page=24 |issn=0265-1548}}

| 1

scope="row"| West Germany (Media Control){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1986|title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1986|language=de|publisher=GfK Entertainment|access-date=May 30, 2020}}

| 71

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 1987 year-end chart performance for "Don't Leave Me This Way"

! scope="col"| Chart (1987)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite magazine |title=European Charts of the Year 1987 – Singles |magazine=Music & Media |volume=4 |issue=51/52 |date=December 26, 1987 |page=34 |oclc=29800226}}

| 50

scope="row"| Spain (AFYVE){{cite magazine |title=Top Sellers 1987 |magazine=Music & Media |volume=5 |issue=11 |date=March 12, 1988 |page=25 |oclc=29800226}}

| 10

scope="row"| US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JCgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA17 |title=No. 1 Awards – Top Dance Sales 12-Inch Singles |magazine=Billboard |volume=99 |issue=52 |date=December 26, 1987 |page=Y-30 |issn=0006-2510 |via=Google Books}}

| 28

{{col-end}}

=Certifications=

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Don't Leave Me This Way"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=The Communards|title=Don't Leave Me This Way|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=1986|certyear=1986|access-date=July 16, 2022|salesamount=400,000|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|artist=The Communards|title=Don't Leave Me This Way|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=1986|certyear=1986|access-date=July 16, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry |region=Spain|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1985|certyear=2024|title=Don't Leave Me This Way|artist=The Communards with Sarah Jane Morris|accessdate=May 3, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=The Communards|title=Don't Leave Me This Way|award=Platinum|id=1896-1292-1|type=single|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|access-date=April 26, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true|streaming=true}}

References

{{Reflist}}

=Bibliography=

{{Refbegin}}

  • {{cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |edition=illustrated |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |publisher=Australian Chart Book |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}
  • {{cite book |last=Pennanen |first=Timo |url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf |title=Sisältää hitin – Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 |language=fi |edition=2nd |location=Helsinki |publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava |year=2021 |isbn=978-952-7460-01-6}}

{{Refend}}

{{Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes}}

{{Thelma Houston}}

{{The Communards}}

{{UK best-selling singles (by year) 1970–1989}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1975 songs

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Category:American disco songs

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Category:Song recordings produced by Hal Davis

Category:Songs with lyrics by Cary Gilbert

Category:Songs written by Kenny Gamble

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Category:Tamla Records singles

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles

Category:Ultratop 50 Singles (Wallonia) number-one singles