Donna Summer

Released: September 11, 1984

Songwriter: Donna Summer Michael Omartian

Producer: Michael Omartian

We used to south of paradise
That was ok until you put your heart on ice
Walked out the door but you couldn't say goodbye
Hide away and left me lonely
When I asked you why
You wouldn't be precise
Now it's my turn, start taking my advice

It's not the way that you love me
It's not the way that you care

Running down long back alleys
Pouting like a spoiled child
You've been acting so crazy, driving me wild
Your heart is like an elevator
You tell me that's just human nature
I've done all I can, I can't seem to change you

It's not the way that you love me
It's not the way that you care

Oh no, it's not the way
Oh no, it's not the way
Listen mister to what I say
Oh no, it's not the way

Your love is like a nasty habit
I finally got control but I just can't take it
I tried to be cool but I just can't make it
Your heart is like an elevator
You tell me that it's just human nature
I've done all I can, but just can't change you

Oh no, it's not the way
Oh no, it's not the way
Listen mister to what I say
Oh no, it's not the way
Oh no, it's not the way
Listen mister to what I say
Oh no, it's not the way

Love is tough, love is tender
Love will make your heart surrender
Love is sweet, love is kind
Love will always blow your mind

It's not the way that you love me
It's not the way that you care

Oh no, it's not the way
Oh no, it's not the way
Listen mister to what I say
Oh no, it's not the way
Oh no, it's not the way
Listen mister to what I say
Oh no, it's not the way
Oh no, it's not the way
Listen mister to what I say
Oh no, it's not the way
Oh no, it's not the way
Listen mister to what I say...

As the unquestioned queen of disco, the one and only Donna Summer lit up the late 70s and 80s with flashy, exuberant vocals and automatic earworms. Born LaDonna Adrian Gaines on Dec. 31, 1948, Summer moved to Germany after being cast in a Munich production of Hair. There, she happened to meet Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, and the trio conglomerated to form a dynamic music team. With Moroder, Summer forged together her first album, The Hostage, which reached moderate success in Northern Europe. Summer’s big break, however, would come later with the release of 1975’s sexual “Love to Love You Baby”, which became one of disco’s first mainstream hits and reached #2 on the Billboard Charts.

1977 came around with the concept album I Remember Yesterday, which featured the Top 10 single “I Feel Love”. The next year, Summer hit the silver screen with the movie Thank God It’s Friday, whose soundtrack featured one of her own the iconic “Last Dance.” This would later become one of the disco legends' signature songs. “Dance” would take home an Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe, and it jumped to a peak of #3 on the charts.

Yet Summer’s illustrious career was far from finished – Summer’s first live album Live and More featured the single “MacArthur Park”, a melting ballad that was a cover of the Jimmy Webb ballad of the same name. “Park” became Summer’s first – and perhaps most memorable – No. 1 hit, and cemented her status as a vocalist as well as a performer. With the track, she became the first female in modern rock history to hold the top spot in both the Hot 100 and the Billboard 200. 1979, though, would really be the peak of her career.

more tracks from the album

Cats Without Claws

From the album

Cats Without Claws (1984)

Donna Summer popular songs

It’s Not the WayDonna Summer

Donna Summer

Cats Without Claws