Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes vs. Thelma Houston | Head 2 Head

In the 25^th edition of Head ️ 2 Head ️ (2022), Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes + Thelma Houston contend for the best rendition of “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” 

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elcome to Head 2 Head! On Head ️ 2 Head ️, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 25^th edition of head ️2 head ️ (2022), Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and Thelma Houston contend for the best rendition of “Don’t Leave Me This Way”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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1. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”

Wake Up Everybody • Sony Music Entertainment • 1975

“Don’t leave me this way / I can’t survive, I can’t stay alive / Without your love, oh baby.” Those iconic lyrics hail from the beloved classic record, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”. “Don’t Leave Me This Way” was written by the power duo of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, known for being proponents of the Philly soul sound.  Additionally, Gamble and Huff wrote alongside Cary Gilbert. What may be surprising to some folks is who originally performed the record. It was not Thelma Houston – more on her later – but rather, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, featuring Teddy Pendergrass.

“Don’t Leave Me This Way” appears as the fourth track on Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ 1975 album, Wake Up Everybody.  The title track from that LP is ‘kind of a big deal’ – UNDERSTATEMENT!  That said, so is “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” Gander at Spotify’s streaming numbers, and you’ll see it’s actually the most-streamed record from that LP! Teddy Pendergrass sounds as commanding and soulful as ever as he brings this Gamble/Huff/Gilbert cut to life.  He balances refined smoothness and more electrifying, grittier vocals.  That man, and surefire sex symbol , could just flat-out sing! Like the other songs from Wake Up Everybody, the duration is extended, clocking in at north of six minutes.  The core of the song occurs early on, with the last couple of minutes being the extension – vamping, ad-libs, and such.  The backdrop that the collective has to work with is Philly soul to the core, with lushness, silky smooth cues, and an electrifying groove – Gamble and Huff are true to selves.  The original COULD BE the definitive version… could be…

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2. Thelma Houston, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”

Any Way You Like It • Motown • 1976

To recap, beloved soul classic, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, was written by Philly soul proponents Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff.   Cary Gilbert is also credited on this particular song.  Originally performed by iconic soul collective Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, featuring Teddy Pendergrass, another R&B standout, Thelma Houston, would have more success.  Arguably, Houston owns the definitive version.

Houston had the hit of a lifetime on her hands, period.  Her sole Grammy win comes courtesy of “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” winning for Best Female R&B Performance, deservingly. Beyond the Grammy win, Houston topped the Billboard Hot 100. This disco gem was everywhere by 1977, originally released in late 1976, and appearing on the album, Any Way You Like It. Hal Davis serves as the producer, doing a fabulous job of giving Houston the perfect backdrop. Houston sings superbly, exhibiting ample personality on this love-filled number.  Besides the famous first verse, the chorus is the centerpiece, lacking no shortage of energy. Houston certainly rises to the occasion:

“(Ahh) Baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you

Now come on down and do what you got to do

You started this fire down in my soul

Now can’t you see it’s burning out of control?

Come on, satisfy the need in me

‘Cause only your good loving can set me free

(Set me free, set me free).”

Simply glorious! Notably, “Don’t Leave Me This Way” became a gay anthem in 1980s and 90s with the AIDS epidemic. It’s simply awesome – Houston’s stellar voice and Davis’ groovy disco production.

Appears in :

• Thelma Houston, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”: Throwback Vibez ️ 47 (2022)
• 13 Don’t Songs You Do Wanna Listen To
• 15 Marvelous Songs That Lead the WAY

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The Verdict  

So, who is it? Is it Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes or is it Thelma Houston? Well, “Don’t Leave Me This Way” is timeless, so, you can’t go wrong with either version (thrown in The Communards 1986 rendition into the mix as well). I totally both versions, but I give the edge to the more decorated version that I’m most familiar with by Thelma Houston.   I mean, sure, it predates my earthly existence too, but I love the aesthetic and vibe. #BIG MOOD!!!

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Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes vs. Thelma Houston: Head 2 Head ️ No. 25 (2022) [: Brent Faulkner, Kool Shooters, Layers, Mario Aranda, Motown, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions, Sony Music Entertainment, Valentin Tikhonov]

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