Both versions of the song are really great, but Thelma Houston got the biggest commercial succes. Both are available on a 12" single. In 1977 one of the first commercial 12"'s of Motown was Thelma's version of 'Don't leave me this way'. In the same year P.I.R. (Philly International Records) released a double album with eight Tom Moulton mixes of the greatest hits of P.I.R. and of that album most of the titles were also released on a 12" promo single also the Harold Melvin & the Blue notes classic, but in a edit version of almost eight minutes, three minutes less than the Tom Moulton album version on 'Philadelphia Classics'
Don't leave me this way
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
Ahhh, baby!
My heart is full of love and desire for you
Now com'on down and do what you gotta do
You started this fire down in my soul
Now can't you see it's burning out of control
Com'on, satisfy the need in me
'Cause only your good lovin' can 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 ... nooo 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
Ahhh, 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
Need you lovin', baby ... need it ... need it ...
Satisfy the need in me Satisfy the need in me
Well baby, come and satify the need in me
Whoa baby, come and satify 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 leave ... Don't leave me this way babe ...
Oh, baby ...