Page "The Communards" Paragraph 2

The band had their first UK Top 30 hit in 1985 with the piano-based No. 30 single " You Are My World ".

The following year they had their biggest hit with an energetic 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 ' deep and rounded contralto and Somerville's soaring falsetto.

Morris performed both backing and co-lead vocals on many of the Communards ' other recordings, and appeared in group photos as an unofficial third member.

The highlight of them playing live was in 1984 when they supported The Stranglers at Sunderland Town Hall.