AMAZING!| FIRST TIME HEARING Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way REACTION

[@twobeer3316]

Freda Payne-Peaches and Herb-Thelma Houston- All in one week?! It's Soul Train in the 70's all over again!!!

[@punisher455]

I love me some Soul Train!

[@kevindonovan8420]

It IS! AND I'm white and I get that comment! Lol😊

[@kevindonovan8420]

They need some Dionne Warwick.

[@marygoodson4920]

1977 Grammy winner for Best Female R & B song!

[@NickButler83]

When the Grammys still had merit!

[@Grey_DC]

First time viewing your channel. I love that you both noticed the same things I loved about this version; the bass riff, the vocals, and the drumming. You added context when mentioning earl young and the percussion. +1 sub from me. My take on the 3 known versions is that Houston’s version is foreplay, Communards is “keep it going,” lastly HM and Blue notes ft Teddy P are about urgency or the next level of “just the tip.” Great vid, you two!

[@bretkissinger5533]

Such a power ballad. The reason disco cannot be entirely discarded. 😃

[@Jeff-fx1zy]

Disco, in its time and place, was new and different. When everybody wore it out, America moved on, but this, was more R&B,so it's longevity was already established. That's why you young people are reacting to it at all. If it's good, it's good. Period. Labels don't mean nothin.

[@rogerdodger6025]

@@Jeff-fx1zy Well stated, those 70's Disco hits have stood the test of time.

[@batmanforpresident9655]

This is one of the greatest cover songs of all-time, and one of the definitive disco songs. The original was recorded by Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes, with Teddy Pendergrass on vocals.

[@CynicAtLarge]

As awesome as this version is, I prefer the Teddy rendition.

[@Jude_196]

TEDDY P!!!! YES!!!

[@user-gt2uf8cq9y]

It was also a #1 hit in the UK by the Communards in 1986..

[@cityzoo07]

I always wondered who did it first ❗❗❕

[@Zlatkohmmm]

Harold version is pure love

[@debibailey2968]

Part of the reason Disco was so fantastic!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@sunnybearbuds]

This is why disco doesn't actually suck.

[@scottodonnell7121]

There's good disco and there's bad disco. Same as rock, country and R&B.

[@sussexdel4310]

That bassline!! 🪩 🎵

[@batmanforpresident9655]

Fantastic.....

[@adamgray6862]

it was banging

[@davidpreciado4114]

So enjoyable! Quite lively!

[@maggynewtown3500]

The bass sounds an awful lot like Ronnie Baker's bass on the original from Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, featuring Teddy.

[@maggynewtown3500]

And the original drummer was Earl Young.

[@db-gb5xi]

This was originally done by Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes. It was also covered in the 80s by the Communards.

[@icdogg2361]

Sung by Teddy Pendergrass. Maybe because I heard it first, but I like that version better than this one

[@stevetici2668]

Love The Communards cover!

[@gemini802]

​@stevetici2668 So do I 😊

[@gemini802]

​@icdogg2361 the best version the original 😊

[@gemini802]

She does a good version, does Thelma 😊🎉❤

[@cbreez40]

Ms Houston is phenomenal and still jammin with us..

[@charlessheifer2264]

Can't count the number of times I danced to this back in the day. This would come on and the dance floor was instantly mobbed.

[@bigsteve9279]

We still haven’t touched disco era British superstar group HOT CHOCOLATE! 🤷🏻‍♂️ ‘You Sexy Thing’ ‘Every 1’s A Winner’ ‘So You Win Again’ ‘Emmaline’ (Emma)

[@auldfouter8661]

That's a huge gap they are leaving right there.

[@Robsan40]

"You Sexy Thing" was Huuuuuuge.

[@MrSteveLoucks]

I’m still surprised they haven’t taken in You Sexy Thing yet!

[@Xiroi87]

And they need to watch The Full Monty on the film channel. They've done Hot Stuff by Donna Summer already, so with You Sexy Thing, that's full circle.

[@laineydavey]

I emailed them to tell them this!!! Hot Chocolate are a must!

[@deborahpaley21]

IMO the #1 disco song all time. 1976ish. from experience, this was the song that filled the dance floor. pre saturday night fever. you had to be there.

[@patrickmclain8735]

Actually, Thelma Houston's version of "Don't Leave Me This Way" was released the same year as Saturday Night Fever, 1977.

[@markhagerman1837]

Agreed. This is my disco song. Total banger.

[@rjjcms1]

@@patrickmclain8735 Chart hit in the UK in early 1977,some months before Saturday Night Fever hit - though the Bees had already had big hits in their disco incarantion with Jive Talking (1975) and You Should Be Dancing (1976) by then.

[@patrickmclain8735]

@@rjjcms1 , I can't speak for the UK but I know they were very close in their release in the US because I was in college dancing in the local discos to both in 1977!

[@naniwadog]

FILLED the floor!!

[@carolmartin4413]

Long live the disco sound!!! ❤

[@susanliltz3875]

Gloria Gaynor : “I WILL SURVIVE “ Pure disco!!!

[@allendixon7700]

Us, it's gonna Mike.You wanna put those shoes onn

[@raymondohlsen5054]

YES!!

[@angelaward7624]

Oh yes!

[@alrivers2297]

Yes and then the cover by Cake. So good

[@angien168]

She would be great for female friday.

[@RosieM1970]

Great song!

[@georgetannehill1790]

Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way" defined the Disco era! Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes had a hit with the song before Thelma and it was just as AWESOME!

[@DouglasMcCulley]

Eurythmics- "Would I Lie to You'!!!!!!! Their most rocking song- and the horns!

[@joy-jr7dg]

YES!!!

[@ShannonR1969]

Agree! It's a banger!

[@rjjcms1]

Whenever the programme Would I Lie to You? comes on TV that's the song that comes into my head even though they don't use it in the programme.

[@d.overbeck94]

Oooh yesss !!!! Effing brilliant! Makes me wanna go roller skate 😂😂😂

[@tinahairston6383]

She was just on this past season of The Masked Singer. Her one and only hit, beat out Aretha Franklin and Natalie Cole, for her one and only Grammy and it's still a jam!! It was originally assigned to Diana Ross to sing but then was given to Thelma.

[@trevorteeters2383]

Because Do You Know Where You're Going to was Thelma's and given to Diana! 😊

[@tinahairston6383]

@@trevorteeters2383 I love how back then they used to write songs for specific artists that would then end up with someone different. It makes you wonder if either song would've done as well if they had been given to the original singer? Sometimes covers are better than the original for sure.

[@misterdoe]

Her only pop hit, maybe, but there's also "You Used to Hold Me So Tight" and "It Must Be Love," R&B chart hits from what was probably her last album, in 1984.

[@db-gb5xi]

If we're doing definitive disco diva songs, you need to check out Vicki Sue Robinson's song, Turn the Beat Around.

[@Keffinated]

That was my song in 1975. It possesses me still.

[@mrtim2kl4]

been asking for this one for a whie now, let's see if we are finally heard...can't help moving to it when you hear it and now it's in my head....oh noo...lol

[@IllyO]

YESSS!! Mentioned that in my comment before seeing this. Still get up and boogie to this song (wore my cassette tape out playing this back in the day).

[@bigsteve9279]

@@db-gb5xi They reacted on Gloria Estefan’s cover… I must admit, it’s great! But I prefer Vicki Sue Robinson’s original… It’s fire!🔥🔥🔥

[@mrtim2kl4]

@@IllyO Remember when we wanted to record a specific song and the DJ on the radio would tell us what time he'd be playing it and we'd be waiting with the cassette player ready so we cold record it...Life was so simple back then even if we had to work a little harder to accomplish what in today's world is almost instant.

[@davidtx8777]

Great tune!

[@dorothyirby5740]

I'm 66, and Lord this brings back memories of every club, bar, dance place in the late 70's and even beyond! Love this song!

[@dianejohnson2644]

Yes, indeed. From New York, we partied hard.

[@MOONSIP2]

I'm 71, and I'm right there with you, girl. NYC one love.

[@dorothyirby5740]

@@dianejohnson2644 Chi-town as well!! There were many to choose from and they all played this gem and, my favorite, Do What you Want to do!!

[@dianejohnson2644]

@@dorothyirby5740 OH yeah have family in Chi-Town I was getting in there too when I would visit. 70's and 80'S music was hands down the best period.

[@davehess1019]

ahhh, the disco days, listen to that bass

[@alleykeosheyan4779]

Rock and country may have had all the great guitar players back in the day, but for bass, it was definitely disco!

[@surlechapeau]

Her only really big hit. Very good voice, should have had more success.

[@rjjcms1]

Apparently she also did some acting.

[@jennyjenny4501]

Disco was such a fun period of music!

[@sherrihimes7357]

Yes it was ❤

[@zedkanata6495]

A few years back, I went to a "Disco" concert. It was a spin off of a PBS special. The Trammps, Village People, Thelma Houston and K.C. & the Sunshine Band. They all sounded great

[@JimLapine]

Peaches & Herb & Thelma Houston? Yay! NOW, Gloria Gaynor, I Will Survive needs to be added to your list!

[@PatrickChachulski]

The bass was just so sick in this song! I knew Jay would notice it right away!

[@KellyMincey]

The Communards did a cover of this in the 80s. It's brilliant and Jay will LOVE Jimmy Somerville's falsetto!!!

[@debbiemr6340]

Yes this the version I remember! Love it.

[@alisonbush1160]

My absolute 'charge towards the dancefloor' song! Even on the radio, love it so much❤

[@akastarchild]

Another of our greats. A Disco Queen.❤❤❤

[@timfahey7127]

20 years ago there was a fire and my mother's huge vinyl collection was mostly destroyed...only a small few survived and Thelmas album was one of the few . Thanks for this reaction ❤

[@CursiMusic]

woo, I requested this one some time ago. probably my favorite disco song ;)

[@TarotMage]

One of the most iconic songs of the Disco era! So glad you enjoyed it!! The album version clocks in at almost six minutes - definitely worth a listen!!

[@sallyphillips9175]

I have the 45 of this! Great song!

[@KellyShaw-w1z]

She was on the Masked Singer recently. Her voice is still awesome! 😊

[@agentsculder2451]

This song is all anout the delivery. It starts out with her pleading for this guy not to leave her. But by the end, even though she's singing "don't leave me this way", it's clear she is full of strength and doesn't need him any longer. That build is just pure brilliance.

[@DouglasMcCulley]

Featured in the 1977 Diane Keaton film- "Looking for Mr. Goodbar'.

[@Wordsmyth8]

Great flick that never plays on streaming services.

[@scottodonnell7121]

Summer of Sam too.

[@alanlucio3442]

This song is so well-written composed and performed it's just badass the sad thing about it is when it came out I was a Youngster and I was a hardcore rocker my sister had this 45 and when everybody would leave home I would sneak into her room and get it and listen to it and play it as loud as I could possibly play it back then I would have never admitted to liking it😂

[@CapAnson12345]

This was my favorite song to skate to back in the day.

[@sweetwilly]

Beautiful pure disco. 🕺🏼

[@agneskurzaj]

Can't tell you how many times I danced to this angel. So happy that I grew up in this age and my older siblings age of music. When we came together in celebration of family and marriages. I had 9 sisters. We were a family in the tradition of groups like "Sister Sledge". My older sister Debbie was a disco dancer competitor, and teacher. I found my groove through her and her now husband of 40 years my brother in law Michael. They were brilliant in the 70 s. Thelma was one of the artists they danced to the championship with. So much fun. Thanks kids. Enjoying every minute. Canadian Grandma Lori. C.

[@CBB1981]

This is a great one! The song is just pure excitement as the beat kicks up and that bass line comes in.

[@soulgalorememories9921]

I saw Thelma in 1972 in Liverpool and she blew the roof off the concert hall, fantastic singer…you should check her out doing a brilliant cover of The Rolling Stones “Jumping Jack Flash”…there is a live video of her singing it on the Georgie Fame Show….wow

[@horacerobinson7149]

Thanks for this one Jay and Amber 😊

[@willswalkingwest7267]

Those of us who love Thelma Houston just do, we love her. She SHOULD HAVE BEEN a much BIGGER star. She's amazing. Thank you SO MUCH for reacting to her. I can never get enough of her voice. Such a gem.

[@wallyllama2926]

I LOVE THIS SONG!! 💃

[@blackprix]

Our disco days! I love disco music. It was great music to dance to. It was great music to listen to and it left a mark on all a lot of us very positively. This is terrific song by Thelma Houston unforgettable.😊

[@andymageen5308]

An absolute Disco banger, the ladies loved this track and the dance floor would fill as soon as that groove started. ✌️

[@stevegibson7464]

I boogied in my bell bottoms to this.

[@scottodonnell7121]

me too. But i keep it secret, lol.

[@ruelsmith]

Goosebumps! Her voice is incredible! Sadly, I remember this song when it was new on Top 40 radio. She had one of the best voices I've ever heard.

[@tylerhackner9731]

Love that bass line

[@cla9085]

You Used To Hold Me So Tight by Thela Houston is a JAM!

[@dugjxn]

It Must Be Love, I’d Rather Spend The Bad Times With You Than Spend The Good Times With Someone New - love the whole album

[@garylife5320]

This was SO big when I was about 16-18. Ms. Houston "turnt it up" with this song. Folks would flood the dancefloor. Would love to see you react to Claudja Barry's Boogie Woogie Dancin Shoes which was a pretty early but HUGE disco hit! Thanks for the great reaction and memories!

[@helgar791]

Thelma Huston doing "You Used To Hold Me" is the real banger, although this was a great cut. Disco, the music of love and inclusion.

[@brucedillinger9448]

Such a HUGE hit in the clubs back in the day!

[@jennyrivers44]

The Communards 😊did a fantastic version of this!

[@bengilbert7655]

Jimmy Somerville's group after he left the Bronski Beat.

[@BrendanAshton]

Harold Melvin and the blue notes do a class version

[@adamgray6862]

@@bengilbert7655 my good old mate Jim and still going strong

[@Jeff-jd3vl]

I lived through the 70s and 80s. My mother had all these disco records. It was an amazing time. Music was wonderful.

[@R-L-I]

Dropped in 1976 Thelma Houston’s “Don’t leave me this way” is actually a cover song originally performed by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes in 1975 for their album and here’s the kicker, although the song was a success for both artists the originator’s version (H M & the Bluenotes) peaked at #3 on the charts, Thelma’s COVER of the song eventually reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 1977!

[@drc1989]

The baseline is so similar to Diana Ross' Love Hangover. The song was a huge club hit. Thelma has a beautiful voice! ✌️😁❤️🎶🎶🎶👍

[@angelinaramon]

I've always loved this song.

[@sharonlabrecque1655]

Thelma Huston was great! This was very popular!!

[@sanzoftatooine]

Finally! I've been waiting for this one!

[@cherylmason9872]

Love this woman

[@biggmaqq]

My favorite disco song.

[@debramyer-bn4zd]

Great song from my teens.😊😊😊😊

[@josephadiaz8343]

This was one of the best songs to dance to 👍🏼♥️🙏🏼✌🏼😎

[@VickiCampbell-1216]

This brings me back to the mirrored disco ball, lighted dance floors, and disco dancing for hours. We all hit that dance floor when this song came on!! 💥✨💥👡👡

[@johncarter6276]

Awesome song!!!

[@duaneford8875]

Jay needs to hear some 1974 pop rap, "Life is a rock" by Reunion.

[@JaDav40]

Before there was "We Didn't Start The Fire" there was "Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)"...

[@leemcclements8889]

Good tune! Popular back in the disco era.

[@cindyerrington7099]

One of my very faves from back in the day!! I love her!❤

[@ddwm_mua]

I always loved this song. Thelma Houston has a great vocal range. Thanks for your reaction :))!!

[@sarahtooldtocare8561]

A great song I also love cover version done by the Communerds in the 80s.

[@walterpanovs]

This was a huge #1 hit and a wonderful cover of a song originally recorded by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes with Teddy Pendergrass singing lead. That splendid, huskier version is worth checking out as well.

[@walterrepass3957]

My favorite disco song and there were a lot of them. What a great artist.

[@LottiesFaith]

Yes! I love this song!

[@primurph]

One of the anthems of Disco

[@darinaria]

There were firve or six disco tunes that were always the bomb to dance to. This was one of em. Filled the floor every single time!!!!!!

[@alexakl6445]

Ah, yes - this is one of the top disco songs of all time - the bassline, like you said is fire, as well as her amazing voice. Takes me back to a simple time dancing with friends (or by myself after doing homework in my room) as it comes on the radio. So glad you reacted to this, ya'll! I don't think I've seen anyone else do it!

[@kellyjohnson3617]

This song brings me back to disco balls and skating rinks where you could find me every Sunday night on a cold winter night with my friends and circling the rink for hours. How could you not want to move either songs like this? Classic. Thanks for posting

[@evangeline3152]

I danced my butt off to this song back in the day! We had so much fun.

[@njchas]

One of THE best disco songs ever!!

[@anjoleeeickhoff6800]

You can’t help but dance to this song!!!❤

[@jessejamessimons483]

All right my babies.....Much respect for pulling this one out. You've got to move to This groove ‼️💯🔥🕺🏻

[@georgesmith2340]

One of my all-time faves from the disco era!! It was and still is a HOT song!!

[@jellyrollnorton]

The video you’re watching was made years after the song was released. I just looked it up and It was made in ‘95, 20 years later. (Explains the outfit!)

[@melmingin8445]

One of my all time favorites!!!!

[@scabbedwings6548]

Happy to see you all enjoying one of my favorite, if not top favorite, Disco songs. The pace of the song just gives a feeling of exhilaration. Some of my other favorite songs from the Disco era that you should check out if you haven't yet are "Rock the Boat" by The Hues Corp "If I Can't Have You" by Yvonne Elliman "Native New Yorker" by Odyssey "In the Bush" by Musique "Love Hangover" by Diana Ross

[@tinakelley7018]

I sure thought you guys have reacted to this. Brings back Disco days. I love this song. I remember dancing to it

[@springfieldprogressive8951]

Jay and Amber Not only disco but some soul sound as well. Thank you for sharing this video with us all.

[@DebraJohnson-k3z]

This was always the perfect disco tune💃🏼🕺🏾

[@MikeOstrowski-iq8wf]

…….this was the song !! Everybody got up to dance to this track ❤️

[@Whitebrowpriest]

This was a disco remake of an R&B song sung by Teddy Pendergrass when he used to be the lead singer of Melvin and the Bluenotes. Both versions are spectacular!

[@ChadWright-ip8vm]

My very favorite disco song. I grew up in Tahlequah in the 70s, and have great, fond memories of this one. The bass is fire!

[@deborahh2556]

This song was huge! So many great disco songs!!

[@paulguthrie4857]

MY JAM!!! This is one of those songs that could go on forever and never get old!

[@pagemeredith4532]

I love this song! So iconic! A great disco song!

[@patrickmclain8735]

Besides being one of the best disco singers, another Houston, Cissy, was Whitney Houston's aunt!❤❤

[@waynethompson8906]

She's not related to whitney houston or dionne warwick

[@280Nox]

They are NOT related. Do you think every Houston in America is related? lol

[@MuzicTunes-lk6np]

Turn the beat around by Vicke Sue Robinson ❤ ... turn it upside down... 👌