The song "If You Gonna Leave (Just Leave)" by Gladys Knight & The Pips is about a relationship that is falling apart. The songwriter is expressing their frustration and pain towards their partner who is acting distant and blaming them for the problems in the relationship. The lyrics convey the narrator's confusion and hurt as they question why their partner would walk out on them and then place the blame on them. Despite their partner's accusations of not caring, the narrator insists that they never left or went anywhere. They express their disappointment and heartache every morning when they wake up and realize their partner is no longer there. The narrator pleads with their partner that if they are going to leave, they should just go without any explanation. They are tired of being torn apart emotionally and want an end to the constant pain. The song suggests that the narrator has given their all in the relationship, but their love has dried up due to the constant internal struggles between feeling torn between heaven and hell. The lyrics also imply that the partner in the relationship always had their way in the past, but this time the narrator will not give in. They have reached a breaking point and are no longer willing to endure the same patterns. The narrator wants their partner to leave without any expectations of wanting the relationship to be revived because the love they had is dying. Ultimately, the song is about the narrator finding the strength to say goodbye to their partner after enduring enough pain. They reflect on the realization that they had to hurt for a long time in order to truly let go and move on. The lyrics express the narrator's desire to break free from the toxic cycle and be at peace. Overall, "If You Gonna Leave (Just Leave)" explores themes of heartbreak, frustration, and the courage to let go in a failing relationship.
