Thelma Houston vs. The Communards | Head 2 Head

In the 35^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Thelma Houston and The Communards contend for the best rendition of “Don’t Leave Me This Way.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberation, we decide which performance is the best or moves us more subjectively.  In the 35^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Thelma Houston and The Communards 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. Thelma Houston, “Don’t Leave Me This Way” 2. The Communards, “Don’t Leave Me This Way” The Verdict 👨🏾‍⚖️

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

Any Way You Like It » Motown » 1976

 

Those iconic lyrics hail from the beloved classic record, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”. Iconic songwriting and production duo Kenneth Gamble and  Leon Huff penned this classic alongside Cary Gilbert. It was originally performed by the iconic soul collective Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, featuring Teddy Pendergrass (1950–2010).  However, another talented R&B singer, Thelma Houston (b. 1946), has the most successful, definitive version of the song.

Houston earned the hit of a lifetime.  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, she topped the Billboard Hot 100. This disco gem was ubiquitous by 1977. It was originally released in late 1976 on her album, Any Way You Like It. Hal Davis (1933 – 1998) served as the producer,  crafting the perfect backdrop for Houston. She 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 during the devastating AIDS crisis. It’s simply awesome – Houston’s stellar voice and Davis’s groovy disco production.

Appears in:

Thelma Houston, Don’t Leave Me This Way: Throwback Vibez No. 47 (2022) Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes vs. Thelma Houston: Head 2 Head No. 25 (2022) 15 Marvelous Songs That Lead the WAY (2022)

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2. The Communards, Don’t Leave Me This Way

The Communards » Communards » London Records Ltd » 1986

 

In 1986, the British synth-pop duo, The Communards (singer Jimmy Somerville 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, b. 1961, and multi-instrumentalist Richard Coles 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, b. 1962) would cover the Thelma Houston juggernaut, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”. Sara Jane Morris assists Somerville with this elephantine and herculean task. How do you follow up a Grammy-winning, number one hit that is beloved worldwide? “Don’t Leave Me This Way” is the opener from their 1986 album, Communards.

With a tough act to follow, The Communards put in serious work on their rendition of “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” It begins with a quicker tempo compared to Houston’s take. The groove at the beginning is everything – it establishes dance vibes.  Those dance vibes are distinctly different than the disco of Houston, too. The intro is marvelous with chilling, striking choral-style vocals.  Somerville eats, serving beautiful lead vocals throughout.  He refreshes our memories of how tuneful the melodies of this gem are, as well as the memorable, thoughtful lyrics. In Communards’ hands, there are more electronic vibes: keyboards and synths, which are characteristic of the ‘80s sound palette.  It doesn’t totally shy away from disco, however. Horns appear during the unforgettable chorus, blending seamlessly with the keys and synths.  The energetic chorus remains intact, only at a faster pace (“Aww, 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”). A few additional notes. There are glorious vocal harmonies between Somerville and Morris between the 2:10 and 2:25 mark. The piano sounds epic at the 2:25 mark. The vocal layers and arrangements show off tremendous musicianship. Also, there is an awesome key modulation near the three-and-a-half-minute mark. A fabulous remake, it should come as no surprise that The Communards took “Don’t Leave Me This Way” to number one in the UK, among other countries. It is another epic recording of a meaningful and timeless song.

Appears in:

The Communards, Don’t Leave Me This Way: Covers No. 31 (2025)

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who did it best? Whose “Don’t Leave Me This Way” was a cut above the other? Was it the definitive cover by Thelma Houston, who outdid the original by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes? Beating out Teddy Pendergrass – that’s a rarity, folks! Or, did The Communards out-Thelma Thelma Houston with their faster, more electro-centric synth-pop rendition? They had their own worldwide success, reaching number one in various countries, including their native UK.  Thelma Houston and The Communards delivered versions of this classic that are nothing short of the sugar, honey, iced tea. I could play both versions on repeat for hours and hours without end. But let’s give the flowers where the flowers are due.  Much like the first Head 2 Head featuring Thelma in 2022, she comes out on top again.  Authentic, soulful vocals, a timeless number one hit, a Grammy win, and status as a meaningful gay anthem during a devastating time make the definitive version of  “Don’t Leave Me This Way” untouchable – insurmountable, baby!

🏅 Winner: Thelma Houston

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Thelma Houston vs. The Communards: Head 2 Head No. 35 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; London Records Ltd, Motown; cottonbro studio, Israel Torres, KoolShooters, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay]

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