Why Thelma Houston's Don't Leave Me This Way Over Harold Melvin's Version

[remicks]

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OK, give me one reason ... and all I need is one ....
but make it one GOOD reason why:

Thelma Houston's Motown remake version of DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY
became a Number One single on the Billboard Hot 100
while Harold Melvin And The Bluenotes original did not ?????


?????


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[FranceJoliFan]

The harp.

[remicks]

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Sorry France ,


There is but one GOOD reason ..... and this one wasn't it ......

Good try though .......


......and by the way does the Thelma Houston version use a harp ? or just strings ?? I hear strings .....


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[SandraDee]

In the UK Harold Melvin's version was a bigger hit than Thelma's although both crossed over to the pop chart at about the same time which was a bit bizarre. To try to answer your question remmy, I'll guess that Motown marketed it better than PIR did in th US?

[famdam]

I want to say it was her background in gospel music played an influence and her gospel vocals she did in the song made it a huge success.

[remicks]

Originally Posted by famdam

I want to say it was her background in gospel music played an influence and her gospel vocals she did in the song made it a huge success.

You want to Famdam ... but ... you shouldn't

Sandra Dee:
To try to answer your question remmy, I'll guess that Motown marketed it better than PIR did in th US?

I'm tempted to give it to you Dee ... you're about 50% there ..... so what particularly did Motown do so cleverly in its marketing stategy .....that ol' PIR did not ???

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[discokicks]

Originally Posted by remicks

I'm tempted to give it to you Dee ... you're about 50% there ..... so what particularly did Motown do so cleverly in its marketing stategy .....that ol' PIR did not ???

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I know! I know!

Motown released Don't Leave Me This Way on a big ol' 12incher....then backed it with the Commodores' Fancy Dancer.

[FranceJoliFan]

The same reason Gloria Gaynor's version of Never Can Say Goodbye is more enduring than the Jackson 5's. It got the diva treatment.

[remicks]

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Originally Posted by discokicks

Motown released Don't Leave Me This Way on a big ol' 12incher...

Now your answer is half way there Discokicks !
Take it one step further ...... and ... we're there !!!


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[discokicks]

Originally Posted by remicks

Now your answer is half way there Discokicks ! Take it one step further ...... and ... we're there !!!


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Ohhhhh....I just discovered that there wasn't a US single release of Harold Melvin's version....only in the UK.

[remicks]

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YEP !!
That's the one good reason I needed!


Not only did Philadelphia International not release it on a 12" like Motown did....
heck, they didn't even release DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY as a 45 !!!

The Gamble & Huff camp totally missed the boat on this one !!

How could they have possibly not had an inkling that this song could be a substantial hit .......
Can you imagine those label meetings at PIR during this period as they watched Thelma Houston's version go up and up week after week on the HOT 100 ... until finally it was up at #1 ???? .... Did heads roll over this ?........

I do notice that after this.......
it seems like just about every cut off of every PIR album gets a 7" pressing!!!

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[FranceJoliFan]

OK. I agree with the 12" single part. But if both versions had had a simultaneous 12" release, I still think Thelma's would have done better. DJ's favor solo female vocalists over male groups, don't you think?

[ol'skinflint]

Originally Posted by famdam

I want to say it was her background in gospel music played an influence and her gospel vocals she did in the song made it a huge success.

I thought the arrangement and production were better and brighter on Thema Houston's version. And if you've ever heard Paul Jabara's original version and Donna Summer's cover of "Last Dance", they're so different it's hard to believe they're 2 different versions of the same song.

[thommy2458]

This is one example where both versions found
a place at the dinner table(if you will)I listen to both for two different moods or meanings.While Harolds(or Teddy's)is almost
reverential,soulful and reflective-Thelma's
is over the top disco hedonistic,a call to the
dancefloor.One reminds me of drugs(Thelma's)
and Teddy's reminds me of a spritual connection.And personally,I'm glad I have both
to remember different experiences.Sorry
Remicks-this had nothing to do with the question! Can anyone else name another track
where the results were similar? Two different
versions but both have sustained the test of time-I'm thinking......?
Thom

[SandraDee]

I was always struck by how similar Latoya Jackson's & Billy Ocean's versions of 'Stay The Night' were. Also, St.Tropez's & The Dooleys' versions of 'Think Im Gonna Fall In Love With You' were both fairly similar treatments & similarly effective I thought. Oh, & Michael Jackson's & Dionne Warwick's versions of 'Its The Falling In Love' were both very good too IMO.