Please Don't Go
"Please Don't Go" is a ballad written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch and originally recorded by the American disco and funk band KC and the Sunshine Band. Released in August 1979 as the lead single from their sixth studio album Do You Wanna Go Party, the track marked a shift toward slower tempos for the group amid the waning popularity of disco. It became their fifth and final number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the chart for one week beginning January 5, 1980. The song's introspective lyrics about pleading with a lover not to leave contributed to its emotional resonance, distinguishing it from the band's earlier upbeat hits. The recording process for "Please Don't Go" occurred during a period of creative experimentation for Casey and Finch, who were producers at TK Records and sought to blend disco elements with a more vulnerable, R&B-influenced style after two consecutive albums failed to produce top-10 singles. Featured on Do You Wanna Go Party, which was released on June 22, 1979, the album itself peaked at number 50 on the Billboard 200, reflecting a transitional phase for the band as disco's dominance faded. Internationally, the original version charted modestly, reaching the top 10 in countries like Canada and the Netherlands, but its US success solidified KC and the Sunshine Band's legacy with five number-one hits overall. "Please Don't Go" experienced a significant revival through cover versions, most prominently the 1992 Eurodance rendition by the Italian group Double You. Produced by Robyx (Claudio Zennaro), Double You's house-infused version transformed the ballad into a club anthem, topping charts in France, Italy, Spain, and several other European countries, while peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart and selling over three million copies worldwide. Another notable cover came from British pop group KWS in 1992, which reached number one in the UK and Ireland, outperforming Double You there. Later adaptations include a 2008 electronic version by Swedish artist Basshunter, which hit number one in Sweden and charted across Europe, underscoring the song's enduring appeal in dance music genres. These covers introduced the track to new generations, often sampling or remixing the original's haunting bassline and vocal delivery.Background
Songwriting
"Please Don't Go" was written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch, the core members of KC and the Sunshine Band, toward the end of 1978.[1] The song originated spontaneously when Casey, feeling disillusioned with the disco genre by that time, sat at a piano in the studio while waiting for a session to begin. He improvised a chord progression that he described as "beautiful," which immediately inspired the melody and laid the foundation for the track's emotional core.[1] The lyrics center on a desperate plea to a departing lover, capturing themes of love, loss, and vulnerability. The structure employs a straightforward verse-chorus format, with verses building the narrative of affection and heartbreak. The chorus is notably simple and repetitive, emphasizing the central beg: "Please don't go / Don't go / I'm begging you to stay," which reinforces the song's raw emotional urgency and makes it memorable for its directness.[2] This composition represented a significant departure from the band's earlier upbeat disco anthems, such as "That's the Way (I Like It)," signaling a transitional phase toward a more introspective, post-disco sound.[1] Unlike their prior high-energy funk tracks designed for dance floors, "Please Don't Go" adopts a slower, ballad-like tempo with orchestral elements, including French horns and flutes, to heighten its melancholic tone and showcase Casey's vocal yearning. This evolution reflected Casey's deliberate intent to move beyond the disco formula that had defined their success in the mid-1970s.[1]Recording process
The original recording of "Please Don't Go" took place in late 1978 at TK Studios in Hialeah, Florida, utilizing analog tape recording equipment typical of the era to capture a smooth, intimate sound.[1] Produced by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch, the session featured Casey on lead vocals and piano, where he improvised the initial chord progression during a break in another recording. Mike Lewis handled guitar and string arrangements, bringing in a full orchestra that included French horns and flutes to create a lush, orchestral backdrop, marking a departure from the band's earlier upbeat disco arrangements.[1][3] The track adopted a ballad structure at approximately 96 beats per minute, emphasizing emotional depth through Casey's vocals layered over the orchestral elements.[1][4]Original release and reception
Release details
"Please Don't Go" was released in August 1979 by TK Records as a 7-inch vinyl single in the United States, bearing the catalog number TK-1035 and featuring "I Betcha Didn't Know That" as the B-side.[5][6] The track served as a single from the band's sixth studio album, Do You Wanna Go Party, which was released on June 22, 1979, on TK Records (catalog TK-611).[7][6] TK Records positioned the single as a potential revival for the band following a lull in their chart dominance after earlier disco successes, highlighting its ballad style as a departure to attract a wider audience beyond disco enthusiasts through targeted radio airplay.[8][9] The release later appeared on the 1980 compilation Greatest Hits (TK-612).[6] Internationally, the single saw a delayed rollout, with the UK edition on TK Records (catalog TKR 7558) gaining traction via imports before its official chart entry in December 1979, which helped build anticipation in European markets.[10][11]Chart performance
"Please Don't Go" topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States for one week on January 5, 1980, marking KC and the Sunshine Band's fifth and final number-one single on the chart.[12] It also reached number one on the Billboard Disco Top 100. The song spent 26 weeks on the Hot 100 and ranked at number 19 on the Billboard year-end chart for 1980.[13][14] Internationally, the single reached number one on the Kent Music Report in Australia for two weeks, the RPM Top Singles chart in Canada for one week, and the Springbok Radio chart in South Africa for seven weeks.[14][15] It peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart, spending 12 weeks in the top 40.[10] The track was certified Gold by the RIAA in the United States in February 1980 for sales exceeding 500,000 copies.[14] In the United Kingdom, it earned a Silver certification from the BPI in January 1980 for 250,000 units sold.[14]| Chart (1980) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 1 |
| Canada (RPM Top Singles) | 1 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio) | 1 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 3 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |