Tag: Mort Shuman

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

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