[1960-1964 Best Songs]
Billboard Top 100, 1960: #26
The Drifters - in those days led by Ben E. King - just sound good. Their melodies, harmonies, rhythm and style closed the door on the rockabilly and bubble gum of the 1950s, and set a new standard in songwriting. This is what became the formula for R&B for the next decade.
Save The Last Dance For Me might make some think of Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree, but it's much more. The rhythm has that vacation-in-the-Caribbean feel, and Ben E King's vocals are rich and complex. Most important, this song's hook ("...but don't forget who's takin' you home...") could take down a heavyweight fighter.
On top of all this is a clever and poetic lyric born out of a poignant story. From Wikipedia: "The song is likely based on the personal experience of songwriter (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 reminds her who will be taking her home and 'in whose arms you're gonna be.'"
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