Tag: Drifters

Drifters – Save the Last Dance for Me

The Drifters are a perfect group to take on a date with you. My father had the greatest hits of them and The Platters but I never dived into them as much as I should have. I’ve always liked them and lately have been listening to them more. To my great surprise, this song was a B-Side to the A-side Nobody But Me. On American Bandstand…Dick Clark flipped the single and the song hit.

Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman wrote this song. They wrote songs such as A Teenager In Love, Surrender (Elvis), Little Sister, Young Blood, and more. This song was inspired by Pomus’ own life experiences. Pomus, who had polio and used crutches and a wheelchair, wrote the song for his wife, Willi Burke, a Broadway actress and dancer. At their wedding, Pomus watched his bride dance with other guests and was inspired by the moment to pen the heartfelt message that she should save the final dance of the evening for him.

This one is a classic fantastic song. The lead singer for the Drifters on this one was no other than Ben E. King. After the Atlantic Records leader, Ahmet Ertegun told King how Pomus and Shuman wrote this song he tried to reflect that in his vocals.

The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard 100, #1 on the Billboard R&B Charts, #1 in Canada, #1 in New Zealand, and #2 in the UK in 1960.

Save The Last Dance For Me

You can dance
Every dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye
Let him hold you tight

You can smile
Every smile for the man
Who held your hand
‘Neath the pale moonlight

But don’t forget who’s taking you home
And in whose arms you’re gonna be
So darlin’
Save the last dance for me, hmm

Oh, I know (oh, I know)
That the music’s fine (yes, I know)
Like sparkling wine (oh, I know)
Go and have your fun (yes, I know, oh, I know)

Laugh and sing (yes, I know)
But while we’re apart (oh, I know)
Don’t give your heart (yes, I know)
To anyone (oh, I know, yes, I know)

But don’t forget who’s taking you home
And in whose arms you’re gonna be
So darlin’
Save the last dance for me, hmm

Baby, don’t you know I love you so?
Can’t you feel it when we touch?
I will never, never let you go
I love you, oh, so much

You can dance (you can dance)
Go and carry on (you can dance)
‘Till the night is gone (you can dance)
And it’s time to go (you can dance, you can dance)

If he asks (you can dance)
If you’re all alone (you can dance)
Can he take you home (you can dance)
You must tell him, no (you can dance)

‘Cause don’t forget who’s taking you home
And in whose arm’s you’re gonna be
So darlin’
Save the last dance for me

‘Cause don’t forget who’s taking you home
And in whose arm’s you’re gonna be
So darlin’
Save the last dance for me, hmm

Save the last dance for me, hmm-hmm
Save the last dance for me, hmmm
Save

…

Drifters – Up On The Roof

It’s one of those songs that relax you while listening and just get lost in.  What a mood it gives you. There are worse places to be than on a roof with peace and quiet.

This song was first recorded by Little Eva but then owned by The Drifters. The song was written by  Gerry Goffin and Carole King. King would later revisit this song on her album Writer in 1970. The lead singer for The Drifters on this song was Rudy Lewis. The Drifters would have a lot of hits in the 50s and 60s. Save The Last Dance For Me, Under The Boardwalk, There Goes My Baby, On Broadway, and many more.

The Drifters were formed in 1953 by George Treadwell and Clyde McPhatter.  George Treadwell managed the group and laid the foundation of what would give them a distinctive sound.  Clyde McPhatter was the lead singer of the group that also saw numerous members over the years but two others stood out above the rest.  Johnny Moore and Ben E King. Rudy Lewis was also an outstanding singer but he died in 1964.

They took their gospel background and channeled it into wonderful R&B arrangements. This song peaked at #5 on the Billboard 100 and #4 on the R&B Charts in 1962.

They were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988…up on the roof indeed.

Up On The Roof

When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space

On the roof, it’s peaceful as can be
And there the world below can’t bother me
Let me tell you now

When I come home feelin’ tired and beat
I go up where the air is fresh and sweet (up on the roof)
I get away from the hustling crowd
And all that rat race noise down in the street (up on the roof)

On the roof, the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Let’s go up on the roof (up on the roof)

At night the stars put on a show for free
And darling, you can share it all with me
I keep a-tellin’ you

Right smack dab in the middle of town
I’ve found a paradise that’s trouble proof (up on the roof)
And if this world starts getting you down
There’s room enough for two

Up on the roof (up on the roof)
Up on the roof (up on the roof)
Oh, come on, baby (up on the roof)
Oh, come on, honey (up on the roof)
Everything is all right (up on the roof)

Drifters – Under The Boardwalk

This song sets a mood when you hear it. I remember this song growing up and when I bought a Rolling Stones cheap greatest hits somewhere on cassette…this song was on it. They did a good version of it but it’s hard to beat the Drifters. In 1985 I was graduating and our band was recruited for a 1950s-era type of play by the drama teacher. Now, every time I hear 50s-sounding music…it takes me back to the mid-80s. This song has a 50s sound to it but was from 1964.

Under The Boardwalk was written by Arthur Resnick and Kenny Young. Resnick also wrote “Good Lovin'” for The Rascals and Kenny Young wrote some for the British Invasion band Herman’s Hermits. After Jerry Wexler, who was the head of Atlantic Records, heard it…he thought it would be perfect for the Drifters…which it was, and especially lead singer Rudy Lewis.

The band was set to record this on May 20, 1964, but lead singer Lewis was found dead that morning of either a drug overdose or a heart attack. He was only 27 years old. The singer he replaced earlier was Ben E King…the singer of Stand By Me.

The session was rescheduled for the next day, and Johnny Moore was called in to replace Lewis. Moore was with The Drifters in 1958 when their manager fired everyone in the band and brought in new members. He was a convenient replacement for Lewis and stayed on as their main vocalist.

The song was produced by Bert Berns. He was a busy man back then writing songs for many artists including Them featuring Van Morrison, Twist and Shout for the Isley Brothers, and Everybody Needs Somebody to Love by Soloman Burke just to mention a few.

Under The Boardwalk peaked at #4 on the Billboard 100, #5 in Canada, #6 in New Zealand, and #45 in the UK in 1964. It would be the Drifter’s last top ten hit on the Billboard 100 but they would hit in the R&B and UK charts.

Under The Boardwalk

Oh, when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof
And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fireproof
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be

(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be havin’ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be making love
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk

From the park you hear the happy sound of a carousel
Mm-mm, you can almost taste the hot dogs and french fries they sell
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be

(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be havin’ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be making love
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk

Oh, under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be

(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be havin’ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be falling in love
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk