In a 1990 interview,[1] 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.[2] In the UK The Drifters' recording reached #2 in December 1960.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6] 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."[7]
Musicians on the Drifters' recording were: Bucky Pizzarelli, Allen Hanlon (guitar), Lloyd Trotman (bass) and Gary Chester (drums).
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 that the music's fine (oh, I know, yes I know)
Like sparkling wine go and have your fun
Laugh and sing but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
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, go and carry on
'Till the night is gone and it's time to go
If he asks, if you're all alone
Can he take you home, you must tell him, no
'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
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 moon light
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me
Oh I know that the music's fine
Like sparklin' wine, go and have your fun
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me
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, go and carry on
Till the night is gone
And it's time to go
If he asks if you're all alone
Can he walk you home,you must tell him no
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
Save the last dance for me
Oh I know that the music's fine
Like sparklin' wine, go and have your fun
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
And don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling,save the last dance for me
So don't forget who's taking you home
Or in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling, Save the last dance for me
Oh baby won't you save the last dance for me
Oh baby won't you promise that you'll save,
The last dance for me
Save the last dance, the very 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
That held your hand neath the pale moon light
But don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling... save the last dance for me
Oh... I know that the musics fine
Like sparkling wine, go and have your fun
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart
Please give your heart to anyone
And don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling... save the last dance for me
Baby don't you know I love you so
Can't you feel it when we touch
I will never ever let you go
I love you oh so much
You can dance, go and carry on
Till the night is gone, And it's time to go
If he asks if you're all alone
Can he take you home, you must tell him no
'cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
Please darling... save the last dance for me
So darling save the last dance for me
Save the last dance for me........
Save, save the last dance for me.......
Baby, won't you save the last dance for me.......
Baby, save the last dance for me......