“Leaving Me Now” by Level 42
“Leaving Me Now” is a song by Level 42, a British musical group that was very active in the 1980s. As the title implies, the lyrics of the song are about a romantic relationship which has sadly come to its end. The highly emotional nature of the song makes many believe it is based on a true life event that one of the song’s writers had to deal with. But till date, none of the writers of the song has said whether the lyrics are autobiographical or not.
You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Level 42's Leaving Me Now at Lyrics.org.
Facts about “Leaving Me Now”
- The song was written by two members of the (lead singer Mark King and drummer Phil Gould) and Wally Bardarou. Bardarou, who was born in Paris, France to parents from Benin, Africa, is best known for his collaboration with Level 42. Bardarou isn’t a member of Level 42, however, he is often considered an unofficial member of the band.
- The song’s famous piano solo is played by Level 42’s keyboard player Mike Lindup.
- The song was one of the singles released from the band’s 1985 sixth studio album World Machine. This album was responsible for catapulting the band into the limelight.
- The music video of the song was directed by noted English film and music video director Nigel Dick. Dick directed the music video for the hit 1984 charity single “Do The Know It’s Christmas” performed by Band Aid.
- Despite being very popular in the United Kingdom, the song wasn’t a hit in the United States as it failed to enter the Hot 100.
- In the U.K. Singles Chart, the song peaked at number 15. It also reached number 9 on the Irish Singles Chart.
A highly under-rated love song.
It’s sadly a love song. A man is dying and he had to leave his love.
To.me mind, the protagonist is someone who’s in an on/off relationship with the woman he’s singing about. She gets bored and leaves, but comes back when she gets tires of the new man and the protagonist stupidly (and he knows he’s being stupid) takes her back; even though he knows full well she’ll let him down again.
I see it as someone lamenting a betrayal, perhaps a love they didn’t fully understand and then it was over. They fell in love honestly, but were used and then dropped. Yet this person still has feelings for their love. And it stings.
It’s such a beautiful song, especially instrumentally. Which makes the darker tone of the lyrics so poignant.
I’ve always loved the song, but it’s taken special meaning for me in the past year or so.