Don't Pity Me
Thelma Houston & Jerry Butler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't survive, I can't stay alive, without your love
Oh baby, don't leave me this way, no
I can't exist, I'll surely miss your tender kiss
Don't leave me this way
Ahh, baby! My heart is full of love and desire for you
Now com'on down and do what you gotta do
Now can't you see it's burning outta control
Com'on, satisfy the need in me
'Cause only your good lovin' can set me free (set me free, set me free)
Don't, don't you leave me this way, no
Don't you understand I'm at your command
Oh baby please, please, don't leave me this way
No baby
Don't leave me this way, no
I can't survive, I can't stay alive without your love
Baby, don't leave me this way
Ahh, baby! My heart is full of love and desire for you
So com'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
So com'on, satisfy the need in me
'Cause only your good lovin' can set me free (set me free, set me free)
Need you lovin', baby need it, need it
Satisfy the need in me
Satisfy the need in me
Well baby, come and satisfy the need in me
Whoa baby, come and satisfy the need in me
Oh baby, don't leave me this way
Don't leave me this way
No, don't leave me this way
No, don't leave me this way, baby
Don't baby, don't leave me this way babe
Oh, baby
Oh, don't leave me this way, no
Don't leave me this way
The lyrics of Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” describe a plea to a lover to stay, as the singer feels that they cannot survive without their love. The song starts with the refrain, “Don't leave me this way, I can't survive, I can't stay alive, without your love.” The singer goes on to describe how their heart is “full of love and desire,” and implores their lover to come and “satisfy the need in me,” since only their good loving can set them free.
The song is a classic disco hit, and the lyrics, coupled with Houston’s powerful voice, convey a sense of desperation and vulnerability. The repetition of the main refrain highlights the enormity of the singer’s desire for their lover to stay. The urgency of the situation is shown in the line, “Don't you understand I'm at your command, oh baby please, please, don't leave me this way.” The line “You started this fire down in my soul, now can't you see it's burning outta control” speaks to the passion that has been ignited in the singer, who is now almost helpless without their lover.
Overall, Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” portrays a powerful and impassioned plea for a lover to stay, suggesting that their departure would be catastrophic for the singer. The song’s catchy disco beat, along with its emotionally charged lyrics, have made it a classic in the decades since its release.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't leave me this way
I don't want you to go, please stay with me
I can't survive, I can't stay alive, without your love
I need your love to keep me going, without it I feel like I'm dying
Oh baby, don't leave me this way, no
Please, my love, don't leave me alone like this
I can't exist, I'll surely miss your tender kiss
Life without you is unthinkable, I'll miss everything about you, especially your tender kiss
Ahh, baby! My heart is full of love and desire for you
My heart is overflowing with love and passion for you
Now com'on down and do what you gotta do
Come to me and show me your love, do what you need to do to make me feel loved
You started this fire down in my soul
You ignited a passion in me that burns bright inside my soul
Now can't you see it's burning outta control
My love for you is so intense, it feels like it's burning out of control
Com'on, satisfy the need in me
Please fulfill my deep-seated desire for your love and affection
'Cause only your good lovin' can set me free (set me free, set me free)
Your love is the only thing that can make me feel truly alive and happy
Don't you understand I'm at your command
I'm completely under your control, please don't leave me
Oh baby please, please, don't leave me this way
I'm begging you, my love, don't leave me like this
So com'on, satisfy the need in me
Please fulfill my desire for your affection and love
Need your lovin', baby need it, need it
I need your love so badly, please give it to me
Satisfy the need in me
Please fulfill my deepest desire for your love and affection
Well baby, come and satisfy the need in me
Please come to me and fulfill my need for your love and affection
Whoa baby, come and satisfy the need in me
Please come to me and give me your love and affection
No, don't leave me this way
Please don't leave me alone and without your love
Don't baby, don't leave me this way babe
Please don't leave me, my love
Oh, baby
My love for you is so strong and intense
Oh, don't leave me this way, no
Please don't abandon me like this, my love
Don't leave me this way
I need you, please don't leave me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CARY GRANT GILBERT, LEON HUFF, KENNY GAMBLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Almir Rodrigues
Inesquecível grande cantora.
Chris Rickarby-Dexter
Only discovered this in 2017.Makes me cry.Stunning song.
Phil Rains
Touches a very raw nerve with me. A dancing tearjerker if ever there was one. Only heard it played out once.....fantastic thru a big sound sytem
treehuggerdude4
Good song.
G. Qualters
Love this track, can’t find it on iTunes ?
Phil Rains
It’ll be on a CD somewhere
Andrea George
Just bought on rare green demo on its way 💃💃💃💃 BOOM
Murat MORSÜMBÜL
Thanks.