Save the Last Dance for Me


"Save the Last Dance for Me" is a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, first recorded in 1960 by the Drifters, with Ben E. King on lead vocals.

Drifters' version

In a 1990 interview, songwriter Doc Pomus tells the story of the song being recorded by the Drifters and originally designated as the B-side of the record. He credits Dick Clark with turning the record over and realizing "Save The Last Dance" was the stronger song. The Drifters' version of the song, released a few months after Ben E. King left the group, would go on to spend three non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the U.S. pop chart, in addition to logging one week atop the U.S. R&B chart. In the UK The Drifters' recording reached #2 in December 1960. This single was produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, two noted American music producers who at the time had an apprentice relationship with a then-unknown Phil Spector. Although he was working with Leiber and Stoller at the time, it is unknown whether Spector assisted with the production of this record; however, many Spector fans have noticed similarities between this record and other music he would eventually produce on his own. Damita Jo had a hit with one of the answer songs of this era called "I'll Save The Last Dance For You". On September 9, 1965, the group performed the song live at the Cinnamon Cinder with Charlie Thomas lip-syncing the lyrics of Ben E. King vocals, along with fellow Drifters Johnny Moore and Eugene Pearson on backing vocals.
In the song, the narrator tells his lover she is free to mingle and socialize throughout the evening, but to make sure to save him the dance at the end of the night. During an interview on Elvis Costello's show Spectacle, Lou Reed, who worked with Pomus, said the song was written on the day of Pomus' wedding while the wheelchair-bound groom watched his bride dancing with their guests. Pomus had polio and at times used crutches to get around. His wife, Willi Burke, however, was a Broadway actress and dancer. The song gives his perspective of telling his wife to have fun dancing, but reminds her who will be taking her home and "in whose arms you're gonna be."
Musicians on the Drifters' recording were: Bucky Pizzarelli, Allen Hanlon, Lloyd Trotman and Gary Chester.

Chart history

Weekly charts

The Drifters' original version
Chart Peak
position
New Zealand 1
South Africa 1
UK2
U.S. Billboard Hot 1001
U.S. Cash Box Top 1001
U.S. Billboard R&B1

Year-end charts

All-time charts

Dalida version

Garde-moi la dernière danse is the eighth album by European pop star Dalida. The title song of the album, a French cover of the American hit "Save the Last Dance for Me", was released as a single. The background orchestra music was led by French composer and orchestra leader Raymond Lefèvre.

Emmylou Harris version

covered the song in a country/bluegrass style in 1979, including it on her Blue Kentucky Girl album. Also released as a single, her version reached the top ten on the U.S. country singles chart in mid-1979.

Dolly Parton version

In 1983, Dolly Parton recorded "Save the Last Dance for Me," releasing it as a single in late November; the song subsequently appeared on Parton's album of 1950s and 60s covers The Great Pretender, released in January 1984. Reaching the top ten on the country singles chart in late February, the single also crossed over, reaching #45 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

Chart history

Chart Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles3
U.S. Billboard Hot 10045
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks12
Canadian RPM Country Tracks2

The DeFranco Family version

released Save The Last Dance For Me in 1974 as a single and the title track of their 2nd album ; the single peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on Canada's RPM 100 chart. The B-side of the single was "Because We Both Are Young," written by Tom Bahler and Harry Shannon. Initially, Tony was reluctant about recording a remake; however, producer Walt Meskell convinced Tony that the song would be a hit. The single sold just shy of 1 million copies, proving that Walt was on the right track.

Michael Bublé version

"Save The Last Dance For Me" was later covered by Canadian crooner Michael Bublé, and released as the third and final single from his second major-label studio album, It's Time. The song was heavily remixed for its release as a single.

Background

For its release as a single, the song was heavily remixed, with mixes from producers including Ralphi Rosario and Eddie Baez. All of the chart positions for the single are for each of the remixed versions of the song respectively. The single first peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart in September 2005. After Bublé performed the album version of the song during the closing credits of the film The Wedding Date, this version was released to radio, peaking at #5 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart, as well as reaching #99 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video for the track was once again directed by Noble Jones, who directed the videos for both of the album's previous singles – Home and Feeling Good. The music video was choreographed by Raymondo Chan, a Salsa Latin dance coach and performer. It was shot in Vancouver, Canada.

Track listing

  1. "Save The Last Dance For Me" – 3:38
  2. "Save The Last Dance For Me" – 3:20
  3. "Save The Last Dance For Me" – 4:14
  4. "Save The Last Dance For Me" – 3:42
  1. "Save The Last Dance For Me" – 3:38
  2. "Save The Last Dance For Me" – 9:36
  3. "Save The Last Dance For Me" – 9:53
  4. "Save The Last Dance For Me" – 8:29

    Chart history

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Other versions