CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS
THE TOP 100
#90 DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY
THELMA HOUSTON
(1976)
Writers: Kenny Gamble; Leon Huff & Cary Gilbert
By 1977, disco had proven itself to be more than a mere phase. That year saw the release of 1 of its most memorable hit recordings, "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston; which was lifted off her 1976 Motown album 'Any Way You Like It'.
The original version of the song was recorded by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. Teddy Pendergrass' delivery is extraordinary and the idea of recording a remake may have seemed brave, but the original had never been issued as a single. That version was included on the soul group's 'Wakle Up Everybody' album in 1975.
American vocalist Houston was born in in 1943. She began her career in music as an adult, after having children and divorcing their father. She signed with the Dunhill label in 1969 and worked on her debut LP with renowned songwriter/ producer Jimmy Webb. The project spawned her 1st chart entry, "Save The Country" the following year.
In 1971, Houston signed with Motown Records. Despite several attempts, the singer failed to return to the pop chart for 6 years. The best she managed on the R&B equivalent was a #64 single entitled "You've Been Doing So Wrong For So Long" in 1974. Around this time, Houston scored a hit in Australia with "Piano Man" (not to be confused with the Billy Joel song).
Hal Davis raised the idea of covering "Don't Leave Me This Way". He produced Houston's remake, recording it at the same L.A. studio with many of the session musicians used on Diana Ross' #1 hit "Love Hangover".
"Don't Leave Me..." reached #1 on the US Pop, Disco and R&B charts. In Britain, the disc peaked at #13. It was a #1 hit in South Africa and made the Top 10 in Canada, Australia and some parts of Europe. "Any Way You Like It" was on the flip side of the single and both sides were granted #1 status on the Disco Chart.
Houston is often referred to as a 1-hit wonder, but this is inaccurate. Houston did chart in America and beyond, but none of these singles matched her success with "Don't Leave Me This Way". She continues to perform and record. In 2007, Houston released 'A Woman's Touch' on Motown and featuring covers of songs by Sting, Marvin Gaye, Glen Campbell, Luther Vandross and Sylvester.
The original version of the song was recorded by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. Teddy Pendergrass' delivery is extraordinary and the idea of recording a remake may have seemed brave, but the original had never been issued as a single. That version was included on the soul group's 'Wakle Up Everybody' album in 1975.
American vocalist Houston was born in in 1943. She began her career in music as an adult, after having children and divorcing their father. She signed with the Dunhill label in 1969 and worked on her debut LP with renowned songwriter/ producer Jimmy Webb. The project spawned her 1st chart entry, "Save The Country" the following year.
In 1971, Houston signed with Motown Records. Despite several attempts, the singer failed to return to the pop chart for 6 years. The best she managed on the R&B equivalent was a #64 single entitled "You've Been Doing So Wrong For So Long" in 1974. Around this time, Houston scored a hit in Australia with "Piano Man" (not to be confused with the Billy Joel song).
Hal Davis raised the idea of covering "Don't Leave Me This Way". He produced Houston's remake, recording it at the same L.A. studio with many of the session musicians used on Diana Ross' #1 hit "Love Hangover".
"Don't Leave Me..." reached #1 on the US Pop, Disco and R&B charts. In Britain, the disc peaked at #13. It was a #1 hit in South Africa and made the Top 10 in Canada, Australia and some parts of Europe. "Any Way You Like It" was on the flip side of the single and both sides were granted #1 status on the Disco Chart.
Houston is often referred to as a 1-hit wonder, but this is inaccurate. Houston did chart in America and beyond, but none of these singles matched her success with "Don't Leave Me This Way". She continues to perform and record. In 2007, Houston released 'A Woman's Touch' on Motown and featuring covers of songs by Sting, Marvin Gaye, Glen Campbell, Luther Vandross and Sylvester.
This
is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I
cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks.
Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have
universal appeal.
They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal
choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a
better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
A
new song from the remaining Top 100 is added each weekday, while another 2 are also
included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours
for
an update of the 2000.
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