"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.[1] In the UK, the Drifters' recording reached #2 in December 1960.[2] 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.[3]
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 his wedding while the wheelchair-bound groom watched his bride dancing with their guests. Pomus had polio and at times used crutches to get around.[4] 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."[5] The personnel for the Drifters' recording were: Bucky Pizzarelli, Allen Hanlon (guitar), Lloyd Trotman (bass), Gary Chester (drums).
[edit] 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 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.
[edit] Chart positions
[edit] Michael Bublé version
"Save The Last Dance For Me" was the third and final single to be released from It's Time, Michael Bublé'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.[6] 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.[7][8]
[edit] Tracklisting
- Digital Download E.P.[9]
- "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
[edit] Chart positions
[edit] Other versions
Jay and the Americans 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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] 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.
[edit] Cultural references
- In 1960, American female R&B singer Damita Jo 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 100 pop chart in December 1960.[13]
- 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 Kinney dances with Justin Taylor to this song at Justin's senior prom, 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.
- A juke box musical entitled Save The Last Dance For Me, and featuring the song, is about to start a UK tour. Produced by Bill Kenwright, it is a spin off to the popular Dreamboats and Petticoats musical.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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- Michael Williams
- Damion Charles
- Ryan King
- Carlton Powell
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