"Please Don't Leave Me" | ||||
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Single by John Sykes | ||||
Released | 1982 | |||
Studio | Lombard Sound, Dublin, Ireland | |||
Genre | Soft rock | |||
Length | 4:51 | |||
Label | MCA Records | |||
Songwriter(s) | Phil Lynott, John Sykes | |||
Producer(s) | Chris Tsangarides | |||
John Sykes singles chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
"Please Don't Leave Me" is a song by English hard rock musician John Sykes. It was released in 1982 by MCA Records as his first solo single. It also features members of the Irish hard rock group Thin Lizzy, including frontman Phil Lynott, who co-wrote the track with Sykes.
After leaving his previous band Tygers of Pan Tang, Sykes was still contractually obligated to deliver a single to MCA Records. Having already written the instrumental for what was to become "Please Don't Leave Me", Sykes wanted to approach Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott about a potential collaboration. [1] Producer Chris Tsangarides, who had worked with both Tygers of Pan Tang and Thin Lizzy, acted as an intermediary. [2] After listening to a demo, Lynott agreed to participate, bringing drummer Brian Downey and keyboardist Darren Wharton with him. The song was recorded at Lombard Studios in Dublin with Tsangarides producing. [1] After the track was finished, Lynott asked Sykes to join Thin Lizzy, which he accepted. [2]
In 1992, "Please Don't Leave Me" was repackaged with material Sykes had recorded with Tygers of Pan Tang and released as a compilation album in Japan. That same year, Danish hard rock group Pretty Maids covered the song on their album Sin-Decade . [3] Sykes would later re-record "Please Don't Leave Me" for his 1997 album Loveland , on which it was retitled "Don't Hurt Me This Way (Please Don't Leave Me '97)".
All songs written and composed by John Sykes and Phil Lynott, except where noted. [4] [5]
7" vinyl (1982)
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Please Don't Leave Me" | 4:51 |
2. | "Please Don't Leave Me" (instrumental) | 3:57 |
Total length: | 8:48 |
CD (1992, Japan)
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Please Don't Leave Me" (original version) | 4:51 | |
2. | "Don't Take Nothing" | Tygers of Pan Tang | 2:52 |
3. | "Bad Times" | Tygers of Pan Tang | 3:07 |
4. | "All or Nothing" | Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane | 2:44 |
5. | "Don't Give a Damn" | Tygers of Pan Tang | 4:31 |
6. | "Please Don't Leave Me" (short version) | 4:18 | |
7. | "Slave to Freedom" (live) | Tygers of Pan Tang | 5:02 |
8. | "Raised on Rock" (live) | Tygers of Pan Tang | 4:44 |
9. | "Paradise Drive" | Tygers of Pan Tang | 3:45 |
10. | "Love Potion No. 9" (7" mix) | Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller | 2:08 |
11. | "Please Don't Leave Me" (instrumental version) | 3:57 | |
Total length: | 42:00 |
Credits are adapted from the liner notes. [4]
Musicians
Production
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Thin Lizzy initially consisted of bass guitarist, lead vocalist and principal songwriter Phil Lynott, drummer Brian Downey, guitarist Eric Bell and organist Eric Wrixon, although Wrixon left after a few months. After Bell left at the end of 1973 the band soon switched to twin lead guitarists: Scott Gorham, who remained with the band until their break-up in 1983, and Brian Robertson, who was replaced in 1978 by Gary Moore. Moore was replaced in turn by Snowy White in 1980, and John Sykes in 1982. The line-up was augmented by keyboardist Darren Wharton in 1980. The singles "Whiskey in the Jar" (1972), "The Boys Are Back in Town" (1976) and "Waiting for an Alibi" (1979) were international hits, and several Thin Lizzy albums reached the top ten in the UK. The band's music reflects a wide range of influences, including blues, soul music, psychedelic rock and traditional Irish folk music, but is generally classified as hard rock or sometimes heavy metal.
Philip Parris Lynott was an Irish musician, songwriter, and poet. He was the co-founder, lead vocalist, bassist, and primary songwriter for the hard rock band Thin Lizzy. He was known for his distinctive pick-based style on the bass and for his imaginative lyrical contributions, including working class tales and numerous characters drawn from personal influences and Celtic culture.
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John James Sykes is an English guitarist, best known as a member of Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy and Tygers of Pan Tang. He has also fronted the hard rock group Blue Murder and released several solo albums.
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Christopher Andrew Tsangarides was a British record producer, sound engineer, and mixer of Greek Cypriot origin. He was best known for his work with many heavy metal artists, including Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Helloween, Anvil, Angra, Anthem, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Tygers of Pan Tang.
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