Originally from London, Maxine Nightingale is a very talented singer who reached a good level of success in the second half of the seventies. She released a string of pop/disco albums that gave her a few Billboard hits like “Gotta Be The One,” “Right Back Where We Started From” and especially “Lead Me On.” This sweet ballad was the brainchild of two extraordinary songwriters, David Lasley and Allee Willis, who wrote many big hits for a multitude of stars like Patti Labelle, Anita Baker and Earth, Wind & Fire. “Lead Me On” was the title track of Nightingale’s 1979 album, a nice mix of pop ballads and light funk/disco. The album was produced by veteran music maker Denny Diante who, through the years, has produced Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Paul Anka and Sheena Easton. Michel Colombier’s arrangements added a special touch to the ballads while Ray Parker, Jr. lent his skills on the dance tunes. David Foster appears on the album playing on some of the songs alongside a lot of session greats. His keyboards are all over the title track, which became a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, plus being certified gold. The soft ballad also benefits from a lush string arrangement. Raydio, the famous R&B band, provides the rhythm section.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/lead_me_on.mp3|titles=Lead me on|artists=Maxine Nightingale]

Lead Vocals: Maxine Nightingale
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitars: Ray Parker, jr.
Bass: Jerry Knight
Drums: Larry Tolbert
Arp Synthesizer: Michel Colombier
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa & Denny Diante
Background Vocals: Maxine Nightingale, Ray Parker, jr., Arnell Carmichel, Jerry Knight, Maxine Willard, Julia Tillman, Oren Waters & Allee Willis
Arranged by Michel Colombier
Produced by Denny Diant

Lyrics

I have often heard you say
You love me as a friend
But I love you more than anyone
You know I can’t pretend no longer

I would give you anything
I’d throw my world
But you don’t wanna hear that anymore
And you wanna hear me say

Come on and lead me on
Come on and tease me all night long
Lovin’ you I know it’s right
I’ll always need you
I’ll never leave you
Come on and lead me on
Tease me all night long
I’d rather be a fool with a broken heart
Than someone who never had a part of you

You know I told you from the start
Exactly how I feel
Time goes on, seems nothing’s changed
I’m in love for real
We have never played the games
That real lovers do
So maybe we are better off
Baby, I’d still like this from you

Come on and lead me on
Come on and tease me all night long
Lovin’ you I know it’s right
I’ll always need you, I’ll never leave you
Come on and lead me on
Tease me all night long
I’d rather be a fool with a broken heart
Than someone who never had a part of you

Come on and lead me on
(Come on and lead me)
Come on and tease me all night long
(Tease me all night long)
I’d rather be a fool with a broken heart
Than someone who never had a part of you

Come on and lead me on
(Come on and lead me)
Tease me all night long
(Tease me all night long)
Lovin’ you I know it’s right
I’ll always need you, I’ll never leave you

Come on and lead me on