Iconic hit 'Save the Last Dance for Me' was written by a paralyzed man watching his bride dance with other guests
'But don’t forget who’s takin’ you home, and in whose arms you’re gonna be...' the celebrity wrote.
Every masterpiece stems from an experience, memory, or imagination like no other and holds a special place in the heart of the creator. The 1960s hit “Save the Last Dance for Me,” by the Drifters, written by Doc Pomus, originated from a bitter story, as reported by the Financial Times. Pomus had a walking disability for most of his life after being diagnosed with polio as a child. He never let his disability and crutches define him until it got the better of him on his wedding day. When he married his bride, Willi Burke, in 1957, a poignant visual and reality struck him. Seeing his newlywed wife dance with every man but him, he was pushed to write the iconic lyrics.
After being confined to crutches from a young age, Pomus eventually had to use a wheelchair to move around. On his wedding day, his heart was filled with sorrow to see his bride dancing with every other man — even his own brother — but unable to have that precious dance with him. From those feelings came the song's lyrics. As the chorus goes, “But don’t forget who’s takin’ you home, and in whose arms you’re gonna be, so darling, save the last dance for me.” The groom’s request, then, was only that she save the last dance for him, reported LBB Online. Written with his longtime music partner, Mort Shuman, the song gained popularity quickly.
According to Stereogum, the song was a hit and remained at No. 1 on the Billboard chart for three weeks in 1960. Originally performed by The Drifters with Ben E. King as lead singer, the song left thousands mesmerized. But little do many know, it was penned at the back of Pomus’ wedding invite, with a rollercoaster of emotions raging through him. Since then, different versions of the song have come out with different artists, including Michael Bublé. Pomus passed away at the age of 65 in 1991. However, this hit, among other creations, secured him a spot in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. He was also given a tribute by Rhino Records in 1995.
Bob Dylan also mentioned the artist’s work in his book, “The Philosophy of Modern Song.” A 1962 study revealed that the cases of polio were rapidly rising in the 1940s and 1950s. Between 1947 and 1957, it was at a high of around 40 cases per 100,000 people. The numbers began to decrease only with the oral vaccines around 1960. A majority of these cases were reportedly paralytic. The World Health Organization revealed that since 1988, the cases of polio have dropped by 99%. Today, 1 in 200 people is affected by irreversible paralysis from polio. Due to immunization efforts, around 20 million people who would have otherwise been paralyzed by the condition walk free.
Despite his condition, his regret, and his hardships, Pomus became a legendary personality, according to the Grammy's Museum. He wrote around a thousand songs, many of which were recorded by historic singers like Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and so on. A gift to the music industry indeed.
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