Doc Pomus and “Save the Last Dance for Me”

About

The Library of Congress recently acquired the collection of Doc Pomus, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songwriter who was a major force in pop music during the late 1950s and ’60s. He wrote or co-wrote hits such as “Save the Last Dance for Me,” Viva Las Vegas,” “Teenager in Love,” “This Magic Moment” and “Lonely Avenue.” He wrote several hits for Elvis, was friends with John Lennon and was consulted by Bob Dylan for songwriting help in the ’80s. He died in 1991. In his early years, Pomus generally wrote the lyrics and some of the melody, and partner Mort Shuman mainly penned the music and chipped in on the lyrics. This video tells the touching story of how he wrote his biggest hit, “Save the Last Dance for Me,” which has become part of American pop culture. Since its 1960 release, it has been recorded by more than 500 artists the world over in multiple languages and genres, and has long become a staple of weddings, anniversaries and romantic occasions. The story behind the song is bittersweet. Pomus was stricken with polio as a child and moved about as an adult only with crutches and braces or in a wheelchair. He and actress Wilma (Willi) Burke married in June 1957, and at their reception he insisted she dance with his friends and family, as he was unable to dance. Either at that reception or at some point later, he scrawled the words “Save the last dance for me” on a reception invitation – and in 1960, he and Shuman turned that into a No. 1 hit for the Drifters. With that…

Archive

Library of Congress, in Library of Congress: talks and concerts

Licence or status

Rights statement at the Library of Congress, as the Library of Congress states it.

Credit

Library of Congress

Language

English

Country

United States

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