Save The Last Dance For Me
Encyclopedia
"Save the Last Dance for Me" is the title of a popular song written by Doc Pomus
and Mort Shuman
, first recorded in 1960 by Ben E. King
with The Drifters
.
The Drifters' version of the song spent 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 Lieber 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.
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. The song is likely based on the personal experience of songwriter Pomus, who had polio and used crutches to get around. His wife, 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."
The personnel for the Drifters' recording were: Bucky Pizzarelli, Allen Hanlon (guitar), Lloyd Trotman (bass), Gary Chester (drums).
, 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.
's second album. For its single release, the song was remixed by Ralphi Rosario and Eddie Baez, and all chart performances are for the remixed version of the song respectively. The song first peaked at #22 on the Billboard dance chart
in September 2005. Bublé sings the song at the end of the 2005 film The Wedding Date
. In 2006, the album version of the song was released to radio, peaking at #5 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart
, as well as reaching #99 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
released a cover version of the song on their 1962 album, She Cried. During the Get Back/Let It Be Sessions of January 1969, The Beatles
played a short, impromptu variation of this song. It was in the original lineup of songs to be included on the album that would become Let It Be. In 1969, John Rowles
recorded a hit version arranged and conducted by British arranger, bandleader, Johnny Arthey, released on 7" vinyl by MCA
-UK the following year. Harry Nilsson
covered the song, in a rather dark fashion, on his 1974 album, Pussy Cats
which was produced by his friend and drinking buddy John Lennon
. Also in 1974, the Canadian group The DeFranco Family
reached number 18 on the Billboard pop chart with their version of "Save the Last Dance for Me", with lead vocals sung by the 14-year old group member Tony DeFranco. In 1978, country music
singer-songwriter
Ron Shaw recorded the song on Pacific Challenger Records; this version reached the Top 40 on the Billboard country music chart
. Emmylou Harris
recorded the song in 1979, after learning that Shaw's version had been successful. Her recording reached the top ten on the U.S. country singles charts. The song appears on her album Blue Kentucky Girl. In 1983 Herbie Armstrong included a haunting version of the song on his solo album 'Back against the wall'. Mort Shuman himself endorsed it, certain it would be a hit. Sadly the distribution company went bust and only 800 copies of the CD were ever distributed. The song was translated into French by André Salvet and François Llenas and recorded by, among others, Petula Clark
, Dalida, and Mort Shuman himself. Last but not least the famous Geno Delafose a Creole Musician from South Louisiana recorded the song as a Zydeco Version on the CD "LaChason Perdu" in 1998 on Rounder Records. Bruce Willis has a version which appears on his 1989 album "If It Don't Kill You, It Just Makes You Stronger." Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell
recorded it on his 2003 album, Daniel in Blue Jeans. In 2010, Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town performed this song on the second season of The Sing Off.
Doc Pomus
Jerome Solon Felder, better known as Doc Pomus , was a twentieth-century American blues singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lyricist of many rock and roll hits. Pomus was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the category of non-performer in 1992. He was also inducted into...
and Mort Shuman
Mort Shuman
Mort Shuman was an American singer, pianist and songwriter, best known as co-writer of many 1960s rock and roll hits, including "Viva Las Vegas"...
, first recorded in 1960 by Ben E. King
Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl King , better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a U.S...
with The Drifters
The Drifters
The Drifters are a long-lived American doo-wop and R&B/soul vocal group with a peak in popularity from 1953 to 1963, though several splinter Drifters continue to perform today. They were originally formed to serve as Clyde McPhatter's backing group in 1953...
.
The Drifters' version of the song spent three non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the U.S. pop chart
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, in addition to logging one week atop the U.S. R&B chart
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
. In the UK, the Drifters' recording reached #2 in December 1960. This single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
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
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
. Although he was working with Lieber 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.
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. The song is likely based on the personal experience of songwriter Pomus, who had polio and used crutches to get around. His wife, however, was a Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
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."
The personnel for the Drifters' recording were: Bucky Pizzarelli, Allen Hanlon (guitar), Lloyd Trotman (bass), Gary Chester (drums).
Dolly Parton version
In late 1983, Dolly Parton recorded "Save the Last Dance for Me", releasing it as a single in late December; the song subsequently appeared on Parton's album of 1950s and 60s covers The Great PretenderThe Great Pretender (Dolly Parton album)
-Chart performance:-External links:*...
, released in January 1984. Reaching the top ten on the country singles chart
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
in late February, the single also crossed over, reaching #45 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in the United States.
Chart positions
| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
45 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States... |
12 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 2 |
Michael Bublé version
"Save The Last Dance For Me" was the third and final single to be released from It's Time, Michael BubléMichael Bublé
Michael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. He found worldwide commercial success with his 2005 album It's Time, and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible was...
's second album. For its single release, the song was remixed by Ralphi Rosario and Eddie Baez, and all chart performances are for the remixed version of the song respectively. The song first peaked at #22 on the Billboard dance chart
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
in September 2005. Bublé sings the song at the end of the 2005 film The Wedding Date
The Wedding Date
The Wedding Date is a 2005 romantic comedy directed by Clare Kilner, who also directed How to Deal . The release was successful achieving $47 million worldwide at the box office against a budget of $15 million...
. In 2006, the album version of the song was released to radio, peaking at #5 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
, as well as reaching #99 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
Tracklisting
Digital Download E.P.- "Save The Last Dance For Me" (Ralphi's Anthomic Vocal) - 9:36
- "Save The Last Dance For Me" (Eddie's Anthem Mix) - 9:53
- "Save The Last Dance For Me" (Ralphi's Hydrolic Dub) - 8:29
- "Save The Last Dance For Me" (Album Version) - 3:38
Chart positions
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Hot 100 |
99 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States... |
5 |
Other versions
Jay and the AmericansJay and the Americans
Jay and the Americans was a pop music group popular in the 1960s. Their initial lineup consisted of John "Jay" Traynor, Howard Kane , Kenny Vance and Sandy Deanne , though their greatest success on the charts came after Traynor had been replaced as lead singer by Jay Black.-Early years:They were...
released a cover version of the song on their 1962 album, She Cried. During the Get Back/Let It Be Sessions of January 1969, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
played a short, impromptu variation of this song. It was in the original lineup of songs to be included on the album that would become Let It Be. In 1969, John Rowles
John Rowles
John Edward Rowles OBE is a New Zealand singer. He was most popular in the 1970s and early 1980s, and most famous for his song Cheryl Moana Marie, which he had written about his kid sister back home in New Zealand.Rowles is part Māori. His father, Eddie Hohapata Rowles, played for the 1938 Māori...
recorded a hit version arranged and conducted by British arranger, bandleader, Johnny Arthey, released on 7" vinyl by MCA
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
-UK the following year. Harry Nilsson
Harry Nilsson
Harry Edward Nilsson III was an American singer-songwriter who achieved the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. On all but his earliest recordings he is credited as Nilsson...
covered the song, in a rather dark fashion, on his 1974 album, Pussy Cats
Pussy Cats
Pussy Cats is the tenth album by Harry Nilsson, released in 1974. It was produced by John Lennon during his "Lost Weekend" period. The album title was inspired by the bad press Nilsson and Lennon were getting at the time for being drunk and rowdy in Los Angeles...
which was produced by his friend and drinking buddy John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
. Also in 1974, the Canadian group The DeFranco Family
The DeFranco Family
The DeFranco Family featuring Tony DeFranco was a 1970s pop music group and family from Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. The group, all siblings, consists of Benny DeFranco , the guitarist; Marisa DeFranco , the keyboardist; Nino DeFranco , the second guitarist; Merlina DeFranco , the...
reached number 18 on the Billboard pop chart with their version of "Save the Last Dance for Me", with lead vocals sung by the 14-year old group member Tony DeFranco. In 1978, country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Ron Shaw recorded the song on Pacific Challenger Records; this version reached the Top 40 on the Billboard country music chart
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
. Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
recorded the song in 1979, after learning that Shaw's version had been successful. Her recording reached the top ten on the U.S. country singles charts. The song appears on her album Blue Kentucky Girl. In 1983 Herbie Armstrong included a haunting version of the song on his solo album 'Back against the wall'. Mort Shuman himself endorsed it, certain it would be a hit. Sadly the distribution company went bust and only 800 copies of the CD were ever distributed. The song was translated into French by André Salvet and François Llenas and recorded by, among others, Petula Clark
Petula Clark
Petula Clark, CBE is an English singer, actress, and composer whose career has spanned seven decades.Clark's professional career began as an entertainer on BBC Radio during World War II...
, Dalida, and Mort Shuman himself. Last but not least the famous Geno Delafose a Creole Musician from South Louisiana recorded the song as a Zydeco Version on the CD "LaChason Perdu" in 1998 on Rounder Records. Bruce Willis has a version which appears on his 1989 album "If It Don't Kill You, It Just Makes You Stronger." Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell
Daniel O'Donnell
Daniel or Danny O'Donnell may refer to:* Daniel O'Donnell, Irish singer* Daniel O'Donnell , American legislator from the state of New York* Danny O'Donnell * Danny O'Donnell...
recorded it on his 2003 album, Daniel in Blue Jeans. In 2010, Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town performed this song on the second season of The Sing Off.
Cultural references
- In 1960, American female R&B singer Damita JoDamita Jo DuBlancDamita Jo DeBlanc , a.k.a. Damita Jo, was an American actress, comedian, and lounge music performer. DeBlanc was born in Austin, Texas the featured vocalist on recordings from Steve Gibson and the Red Caps during the 1950s...
recorded an "answer record" to "Save the Last Dance for Me". Her song, entitled "I'll Save the Last Dance for You", built around the original song's melody and thus credited to Shuman and Pomus, peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
pop chart in December 1960.
- The original version of "Save the Last Dance for Me" as performed by the Drifters is featured in the first season finale of the North American version of Queer as Folk. In a memorable scene from this episode, Brian KinneyBrian KinneyBrian Kinney is a fictional character from the American/Canadian Showtime television series Queer as Folk, a drama about the lives of a group of gay men and women living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The character was portrayed by American actor Gale Harold during the show's five year run...
dances with Justin TaylorJustin TaylorJustin Taylor is a fictional character from the American/Canadian Showtime television series Queer as Folk, a drama about the lives of a group of gay men and women living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania....
to this song at Justin's senior promSenior PromSenior Prom is a still-classified United States Air Force program to develop a stealth unmanned aerial vehicle for reconnaissance purposes , designed to be launched from a Lockheed DC-130, B-52 Stratofortress, or B-1 Lancer.-Origin and development:The program began in the late 1970s after the...
, which is immediately followed by Justin being brutally attacked by a homophobic classmate in the parking garage outside the prom. The song also signifies a turning point in their relationship, as Brian was previously unwilling to admit that Justin was more than a one-night stand.
- The song was covered by New Zealander John ClarkeJohn Clarke (satirist)John Morrison Clarke is a New Zealand-born Australian comedian, writer, and satirist. He was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, and has lived in Australia since the late 1970s...
, in character as Fred DaggFred DaggFred Dagg is a fictional archetype satirist from New Zealand created and acted on stage, film and television by satirist John Clarke. Clarke graced New Zealand TV screens as Dagg during the mid to late 1970s, "taking the piss" out of the post-pioneering Kiwi bloke and ‘blokesses’.When Clarke first...
.
- The song ranked #182 on Rolling StoneRolling StoneRolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
s The 500 Greatest Songs of All TimeThe 500 Greatest Songs of All Time"The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" was the cover story of a special issue of Rolling Stone, issue number 963, published December 9, 2004, a year after the magazine published its list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time"....
, making it the second-highest charting Drifters song on the list, behind "Up on the RoofUp on the Roof (song)"Up on the Roof" is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and recorded in 1962 by The Drifters. Released at the tail end of that year, the song became a big hit in early 1963, reaching number five on the U.S. pop singles chart and number 4 on the U.S...
".
See also
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1960 (U.S.)
- List of number-one R&B singles of 1960 (U.S.)