The Communards were a British synth-pop duo formed in London in 1985. They consisted of Scottish singer Jimmy Somerville and English musician Richard Coles. They are best known for their cover versions of "Don't Leave Me This Way", originally recorded by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes featuring Teddy Pendergrass, and of the Jackson 5's "Never Can Say Goodbye".
The name Communards refers to the revolutionaries of the 1871 Paris Commune. cover version of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' soul classic "Don't Leave Me This Way" (in a version inspired by Thelma Houston's cover) which spent four weeks at number one and became the UK's biggest selling single of 1986. It also made the US top 40. It featured Sarah Jane Morris as co-vocalist, taking advantage of the contrast between Morris's deep and rounded contralto and Somerville's soaring falsetto.
Discography
- Communards (1986)
- Red (1987)
See also
- Banderas – Communards offshoot featuring backing musician Sally Herbert
- Jimmy Somerville discography
- June Miles-Kingston
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
- List of Billboard number-one dance club songs