Shalamar

Released: January 29, 1982

Songwriter: Nidra Beard Linda Carriere William Shelby Kevin Spencer

Producer: Leon Sylvers III

[Verse 1]
Boy we've known each other now for quite some time
Long enough to feel when something's on our minds
You know I'm not the type to jump to any conclusion
But before you speak, I just want you to listen. I'

[Hook]
(I don't want to be the last
I don't want to be the last to know
I don't want to be.)
If you ever think about leavin'
(I don't want to be the last.)
Don't let me be
(I don't want to be the last to know.)
If you're gonna leave

[Verse 2]
Rest assured it's only rumors floatin' 'round
And though you think you're just a little bit premature
It's good to talk it out
We've got to listen to our heart instead of to the street
So let's talk it over
The same thing goes for me
Baby I don't wanna be

[Hook ]

Just give love that respect
If you ever want to say goodbye
(I don't want to be the last.)
(Tell me why!)
(I don't want to be the last to know.)
(If You're going to leave.)
Don't let me be the last

[Chorus]
I remember when we, had an understanding
If I feel this change you'll be the first to know
(If I've got to go away get away get away.)

[Verse 3]
Love never promised any guarantee
That we'd make it
But I can take it
If it can't be what it's been
Please don't fake it
Hear me, baby

[Verse 4]
Before we say that final goodbye
Why not give our love just one more try
And I promise you if I can't hang
You're gonna be the first to know

I wanna hear it from you for myself
No, don't let me hear it baby nowhere else
That's all I want
That's all I ask!
(Don't let me be, oh baby please,)
(I don't wanna be)
(I don't want to be the last.)
To know
(I don't want to be the last to know.)
I won't forget
(I don't want to be.)
If somethin's on your mind, tell me please
But Baby don't let me be
(I don't want to be the last.)
The last to know
(I don't want to be the last to know.)
Give me that respect
(If you're gonna leave.)

For the time we've spent
(Don't let me be, oh baby please,)
(I don't wanna be)
(I don't want to be the last.)
To know
(I don't want to be the last to know.)
No, no, no

Shalamar is an American R&B and soul music vocal group, active in the mid-1970s and throughout the 1980s. Their original lineup consisted of Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley, and Gary Mumford. The group went through various lineup changes throughout the years, with Mumford replaced by Gerald Brown, and again by Howard Hewett. The lineup of Daniel, Hewett, and Watley was the most successful, selling two Platinum albums (Three For Love, Friends) and one Gold album (Big Fun).

Despite more lineup changes in the ‘80s, the group still churned out hits such as “Dancing in the Sheets” and “Don’t Get Stopped in Beverly Hills”, which won them a Grammy.

Daniel, Hewett, and Watley eventually reunited several times in the ‘90s and as recently as 2015, playing in the UK where they’ve had the most success.

more tracks from the album

Friends

From the album

Friends (1982)

Shalamar popular songs

I Don’t Wanna Be the Last to KnowShalamar

Shalamar

Friends