Musically, the album contains tracks that largely fall into one of two styles, either Hi-NRG (all of the singles lifted from the album were in this style) or piano ballads showcasing the talents of Richard Coles, a classically trained pianist. The standard "Lover Man" is arranged as a straight jazz number, albeit with the unusual twist of being performed as a duet.
Two songs had dedications in the sleevenotes: "Don't Leave Me This Way" was dedicated to the GLC, and "Reprise" to Margaret Hilda Thatcher.
Don't Leave Me This Way
The Communards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't survive, I can't stay alive
Without your love, no baby
Don't live 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 (don't) leave me this way
I don't understand (understand) how I'm at your command
So baby please 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 could set me free (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 leave me this way)
Come satisfy me, come satisfy me (no, no)
Come satisfy me, come satisfy me (no, no, no, no)
Come satisfy me, come satisfy me (no, no, no baby, don't you, no)
Come satisfy me, come satisfy me
Come satisfy me, come satisfy me, come satisfy me
Don't (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 could set me free
Set me free (set me free)
Set me free (set me free)
Set me free (set me free)
Set me free (don't leave me this way)
Set me free (don't leave me this way)
Set me free (don't leave me this way)
Set me free, ooh (don't leave me this way)
Baby (don't leave me this way)
Don't leave me this way
Ooh baby, don't leave me this way (don't leave me this way)
Ooh baby, don't leave me this way (don't leave me this way)
Ooh baby, don't leave me this way (don't leave me this way)
Don't you, don't, oh no (don't leave me this way)
Don't you, don't, oh no (don't leave me this way)
Don't you, don't, oh no (don't leave me this way)
Don't you, don't, oh no (don't leave me this way)
I'm losing control (don't leave me this way)
I'm losing control (don't leave me this way)
The lyrics to The Communards' "Don't Leave Me This Way" are a plea begging someone not to leave because they cannot survive or stay alive without their love. The singer's heart is full of love and desire for this person, and the other person's good loving is the only thing that can set them free from the burning fire of desire in their soul. The song essentially begs the other person to come and satisfy the singer's needs in order to keep them from losing control and missing their tender kiss.
The lyrics speak to the universal human experience of needing love and connection in order to feel whole and alive. The simple repetition of the chorus underscores the singer's neediness and desperation, as they plead with the other person not to leave them. The song captures the pain and loneliness of feeling incomplete without a lover, and highlights the importance of interpersonal connection and intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't leave me this way
The singer cannot bear being left alone without their lover and begs them not to go.
I can't survive, I can't stay alive
The singer feels that without their lover, they cannot survive and that their life is not worth living.
Without your love, no baby
The singer believes that their love is essential to their survival and that without their lover, they would have no reason to go on.
I can't exist, I will surely miss your tender kiss
The artist cannot bear the thought of not having their lover's affection and believes that they cannot even exist without it.
My heart is full of love and desire for you
The artist's heart is filled with genuine love and longing for their lover.
You started this fire down in my soul
The singer is passionately in love with their partner and they ignited a fiery desire within them.
Now can't you see it's burning, out of control?
The fire of passion within the singer is overwhelming and they are imploring their partner to reciprocate their love before it's too late.
Come satisfy me, come satisfy me
The artist is pleading with their partner to fulfill their needs and make them feel loved and wanted.
I don't understand how I'm at your command
The artist is fully under the control of their lover and cannot fathom how they have such power over them.
Only your good loving could set me free
The artist feels trapped without their lover and believes that their love is the only thing that can free them from their emotional prison.
Set me free (set me free)
The singer wants to be released from their emotional turmoil and wants to be free to express their love fully.
Don't you, don't, oh no
The artist is pleading with their partner not to leave them, emphasizing the importance of their love.
I'm losing control
The overwhelming feelings of love and passion within the singer are causing them to feel out of control and desperate to be with their lover.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cary Grant Gilbert, Leon Huff, Kenny Gamble
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind