KC & The Sunshine Band – Please Don’t Go (1979)

About the song

“Please Don’t Go,” crafted by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch during their tenure with KC and the Sunshine Band, stands as a poignant ballad that marked a departure from the band’s signature disco style. Released as the second single from their sixth album, “Do You Wanna Go Party” (1979), the song quickly ascended the charts, becoming a chart-topping hit and eventually defining a pivotal moment in the band’s trajectory.

Originally written in a minor key, “Please Don’t Go” showcases a heartfelt plea for a second chance in love. Its emotional depth resonated widely, propelling it to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart within a week of its release. Ironically, its success also coincided with the dissolution of KC and the Sunshine Band, as Harry Wayne Casey embarked on a solo career soon after.

The single was a double-sided release, with the flip side “I Betcha Didn’t Know That,” which made its mark on R&B radio stations, peaking at number 25 on the R&B charts.

Internationally, “Please Don’t Go” continued its reign as a powerhouse hit, reaching number one in Australia and Canada. It also secured positions on charts across Europe, including Belgium (peaking at number 8), West Germany (number 20), Ireland (number 5), the Netherlands (number 7), New Zealand (number 3), Norway (number 4), and the United Kingdom (number 3).

In Australia, the song claimed the top spot on the ARIA chart, marking KC and the Sunshine Band’s sixth and final number one hit in Canada on the RPM national chart, and their fifth and final number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

“Please Don’t Go” remains a timeless testament to KC and the Sunshine Band’s versatility and enduring appeal, capturing a pivotal moment in pop music history with its heartfelt lyrics and soulful melody that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Video

Lyrics

I love you
Yeah

Babe, I love you so
I want you to know
That I’m gonna miss your love
The minute you walk out that door

So please don’t go
Don’t go
Don’t go away
Please don’t go
Don’t go
I’m begging you to stay

If you leave, at least in my lifetime
I’ve had one dream come true
I was blessed to be loved
By someone as wonderful as you

So please don’t go
Don’t go
Don’t go away
Please don’t go
Don’t go
I’m begging you to stay
Hey, hey, hey

Yeah

Babe, I love you so
I, I want you to know
That I’m gonna miss your love
The minute you walk out that door

So please don’t go
Don’t go
Don’t go away
Hey, hey, hey

I need your love
I’m down on my knees
Beggin’ please, please, please
Don’t go
Don’t you hear me, baby?
Don’t leave me now
Oh, no, no, no, no
Please don’t go
I want you to know
That I, I, I love you so

Please don’t leave me, baby
Please don’t go