Save the Last Dance for Me
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"Save the Last Dance for Me" was a song by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, that was recorded in 1960 by the vocal group The Drifters, who took it to #1 on the U.S. pop charts. In the UK, the Drifters' version reached #2 in December 1960. Around this time, an answer record by Damita Jo entitled "I'll Save the Last Dance for You" gained popularity.
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 one dance at the end of the night. The song is likely based on the personal experience of Doc Pomus, who had polio and used crutches to get around and could not dance. His wife, however, was a Broadway actress and dancer. The song gives his perspective of plaintively telling his wife to have fun dancing, but to please remember who she is going home with.[1]
The song was subsequently recorded by Ike and Tina Turner on the Phil Spector-produced "River Deep, Mountain High". Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton also each recorded versions of the song (Harris in 1979 and Parton in 1984); both singers' recordings reached the top ten on the U.S. country singles charts. Harry Nilsson released his version of the song on the album "Pussy Cats" (1974) which was produced by John Lennon. More recently, Michael Bublé has brought his version to #99 on the U.S. charts.
This song was played in the first season finale of Queer as Folk, in which Brian Kinney dances with Justin Taylor at his senior prom. It was also covered by John Clarke, in character as Fred Dagg.
