I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love

"I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love" is a song co-written by Peter Allen and Carole Bayer Sager, popularized by Rita Coolidge in 1979, and recorded by a number of other artists.

Charts

Chart (1978)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[1]	98

Cover versions

"I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love" was a comeback single for Rita Coolidge in 1979. Of her four previous singles between 1978 and 1979, two had not charted, while two had been in the top 20 on the adult contemporary charts, though not in the top 10. In contrast, the Coolidge version of the "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love" reached Number 3 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart, as well as charting highly elsewhere. It has been described as one of Coolidge's "most triumphant performances",[2] and was included on Coolidge's Satisfied album (A&M, 1979).

Peter Allen recorded his own version of "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love", included on his I Could Have Been a Sailor album (A&M, 1979), as did Carole Bayer Sager on her eponymous 1977 album. Other artists who have recorded the song include, Melanie,[3] Dusty Springfield,[4] Ann Peebles[5] and Carmen McRae.[6]

In the United Kingdom the song was used in a Public Information Film warning about the dangers of drink driving.[7]

References

1. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 28. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
2. Joe Viglione, Review of Satisfied; www.allmusic.com.
3. On
4. On Something Special (Polygram, 1996), being a 48-song, double-CD set of rarities, album tracks and previously unreleased material.
5. On Fill This World With Love (Bullseye Blues, 1996).
6. On I'm Coming Home Again. (Unidisc, 1981, recorded 1978).
7. YouTube video