Save The Last Dance For Me - Cultural References

Cultural References

• In 1960, American female R&B singer Damita Jo recorded an "answer record" to "Save the Last Dance for Me". Her song, entitled "I'll Save the Last Dance for You", built around the original song's melody and thus credited to Shuman and Pomus, peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart in December 1960.

• The original version of "Save the Last Dance for Me" as performed by the Drifters is featured in the first season finale of the North American version of Queer as Folk. In a memorable scene from this episode, Brian Kinney dances with Justin Taylor to this song at Justin's senior prom, which is immediately followed by Justin being brutally attacked by a homophobic classmate in the parking garage outside the prom. The song also signifies a turning point in their relationship, as Brian was previously unwilling to admit that Justin was more than a one-night stand.

• The song was covered by New Zealander John Clarke, in character as Fred Dagg.

• The song ranked #182 on Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, making it the second-highest charting Drifters song on the list, behind "Up on the Roof".

• A juke box musical entitled Save The Last Dance For Me, and featuring the song, Is up and running, touring throughout the UK. Produced by Bill Kenwright, it is a spin off to the popular Dreamboats and Petticoats musical - Some describe it as "Dreamboats meets Dirty Dancing".