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I Don’t Wanna Leave You​The Time

Released: August 25, 1982

Songwriter: Prince

Producer: Prince

[Verse 1: Morris Day]
People say you run around, I don't even care
I could never hold you down, I don't even dare
I just wanna play your game, no matter what the rules
I've met an awful lot of dames, but none quite as bad as you

[Pre-Chorus: Morris Day]
Let me try to love you, I know I could
One night to hold you, just ain't no good

[Chorus: Morris Day & The Time]
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go
Can't you see I need you? Girl, I need you so

[Verse 2: Morris Day]
I will be your doctor, baby, I'll make you feel alright, alright
I've got something to keep you warm, on a cold and lonely night
Now turn out the light
I will never tie you down, 'cause I know you wanna be free, so free
Say you'll let me come around, say you wanna be with me
Oh, baby, please

[Pre-Chorus: Morris Day]
Let me try to love you, I know I could
One night to hold you just ain't no good

[Chorus: Morris Day]
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go, no
Can't you see I need you? Girl, I need you so
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go
Can't you see I need you? Girl, I need you so
(I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go)
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go
All I wanna do, is make sweet love to you
Now you wanna leave me. What am I supposed to do?
Can't you see I need you? Girl, I need you so
Can't you hang past to? That was twelve o'clock at night
Why you wanna leave so soon? Girl, you know it ain't right, ah, hey
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go
(I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go)
Can't you see I need you? Girl, I need you so
Why you wanna leave me, leave me tonight?
Think about it, baby, you know it just ain't right
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go

[Bridge: Morris Day & The Time]
Let me try to love you, I know I could
One night to hold you, just ain't no good
I don't wanna leave you

[Instrumental break]

[Chorus]
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go
Can't you see I need you? Girl, I need you so

[Instrumental break]

[Chorus: Morris Day & The Time]
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go
Can't you see I need you? Girl, I need you so
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go
Can't you see I need you? Girl, I need you so
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go
Can't you see I need you? Girl, I need you so
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go
Can't you see I need you? Girl, I need you so
I don't wanna leave you, I don't wanna go
Can't you see I need you? Girl, I need you so

​The Time

The Time grew from the seeds of the Minneapolis music scene in the early 1980’s, galvanized by the creative drive and commercial success of rock-soul juggernaut Prince. The band began as the fruit of a wager Prince made with band leader Morris Day over the song “Partyup” (originally by a band called Enterprise). After the song’s success, Prince agreed to help Morris put together a band.

The nucleus of The Time consisted of drummer Jellybean Johnson, keyboardists Jimmy Jam and Monte Moir, and bassist Terry Lewis, pulled from their local band Flyte Tyme. Guitar demigod Jesse Johnson endeavored to join Prince’s band, but that band didn’t need a guitarist, so he shuffled into The Time’s lineup. Jerome Benton was a promoter from the aforementioned band Enterprise, and was eventually brought on as a comic foil to Morris Day for their stage act.

The band’s debut self-titled album featured two Top 10 R&B hits with “Get It Up” and “Cool.” Their follow-up What Time Is It? delivered an even higher chart peak with “777-9311”. But the band truly hit their stride once featured in Prince’s blockbuster music film Purple Rain. Their songs “Jungle Love” and “The Bird” from the film would become huge R&B and dance hits and propel their third album Ice Cream Castle to #3 on the R&B charts.

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