Drifters ( The ) - Save the last dance for me

First performance: 05/02/1972

Coverinfo

Bruce played the song 6 times and 3 times as a snippet :
 
 
2014-05-13 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
  
 
 
2009-10-20 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
2008-08-24 Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO

1992-02-02 Maple Leaf Bar, New Orleans, LA
With The Iguanas The Iguanas. Bruce (and Patti) drop in to the New Orleans bar while in town filming the "Human Touch" music video. Iguana's saxophonist Derek Huston tells that Springsteen asked Huston not to introduce him by name. So Bruce instead entered the stage to "Louie". They sing Fats Domino's "Ain't That A Shame", The Drifters' "Save The Last Dance For Me" and Chuck Berry's "Betty Jean "
 
1982-12-31 Harkness House For Ballet Arts, New York City, NY
Performed during the wedding reception for Steven Van Zandt and his bride Maureen Santoro.

1972-02-05 Back Door (The), Richmond, VA
First time played with The Bruce Springsteen Band . First known performance is culled from a handwritten setlist that was auctioned on an online auction website in 2010. Although the document is undated, the songs listed indicate that it is most likely to derive from the late '71-early '72 period. 
 
 
 
 
  • Snippets
during IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
DoubleTake Magazine Benefit
 
2003-02-20 Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA
2003-02-19 Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA
 
during TWIST AND SHOUT

1975-09-12 Municipal Auditorium, Austin
 

Songinfo

"Save the Last Dance for Me" is a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, first recorded in 1960 by The Drifters, with Ben E. King on lead vocals. In a 1990 interview, songwriter Doc Pomus tells the story of the song being recorded by the Drifters and originally designated as the B-side of the record. 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. 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. 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 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. 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."
 
 
 

Bruce on the artist

2020-12-10 - ROCKEFELLER CENTER, GE BUILDING, STUDIO 6B, NEW YORK CITY, NY

Bruce appears on Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, discussing Letter To You, Christmas albums, his upcoming Saturday Night Live appearance, and more. During the interview he reveals what songs had an influence on writing ' letter to you' :
 
" I always liked music what where the singer sounded happy  and sad simultaneously, you know....and I wrote about this a little but in the memoir that I wrote, where I always loved the drifters' "saturday night at the movies", "up on the roof", "under the boardwalk", ...for some reason, the singer always sounded hopeful,... resigned. Like he had his spirit but sad at the same time. And I felt the whole world open to you. So those are the kind of songs that I like, ..you know...and I think hit the deepest. "  

Lyrics

You can dance
Every dance with the guy
Who gave 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, mmm

Oh I know
That the music is fine
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, mmm

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 arms you're gonna be
So darlin'
Save the last dance for me

'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin'
Save the last dance for me, mmm

Save the last dance for me, mmm
Save the last dance for me