Save The Last Dance For Me

Scott Johnson over at Power Line writes on occasion on the backstory of his favorite music and musicians. His eye for the lyrical recognizes perfect pitch: both his writing and his recognition of the artistic are exquisite.

This morning Scott turned his attention to Jerome Felder, who wrote under the name Doc Pomus for such as Ray Charles, the Coasters, Elvis and Bette Midler among dozens of others. His songs ran to the romantic, Teenager in Love, Sweets for My Sweet, Can't Get Used to Losing You, and hundreds of others.

Scott points to a book review in The New York Times for this magic vignette of a songwriter who suffered from polio most of his life:

The crowning achievement was the Drifters’ sublime “Save the Last Dance for Me.” In a story straight out of Hollywood, Pomus actually wrote the lyrics on the back of an invitation to his own wedding, remembering how it felt to watch his bride dance with his brother, knowing that he himself was unable to navigate a dance floor.

The lyrics have a new meaning and provide an insight to the man who wrote them, one I'll never meet but whose music brought lite to my life:

You can dance
Ev'ry dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye
Let him hold you tight
You can smile
Ev'ry 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, mmmm

Oh, I know (oh, I know)
That the music's 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, mmmm

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 (you can dance)
Go and carry on
'Til 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

---- Instrumental Interlude ----

'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arm's your gonna be
So, darlin', save the last dance for me, mmmm

Save the last dance for me, mmmm-hummmm
Save the last dance for me, mmmm

Doc, the only white recipient to date of the prestigious Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, led a life of music made for a movie.

To my friend, Bob E, the screenwriter: Bob, are you listening? Do you hear the music?