Save the Last Dance For Me Drifters Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman 1960. "Save the Last Dance for Me" is the title of a popular song, written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, that was first recorded in 1960 by Ben E. King and The Drifters. This version spent 3 weeks at #1 on the U.S. Pop Chart, in addition to reaching #2 in the UK. 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 one dance at the end of the night. The song is likely based on the personal experience of songwriter 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." In later years the song has also been recorded by Damita Jo, Ike & Tina Turner, The DeFranco Family, Emmylou Harris, and Dolly Parton. Even actor Bruce Willis performed a cover of this song. Michael Buble recorded a version in 2005. The song is listed as #182 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."