<Table> <Tr> <Td> "Lonely Winds" (1960) </Td> <Td> "Save the Last Dance for Me" (1960) </Td> <Td> "I Count the Tears" (1960) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> "Lonely Winds" (1960) </Td> <Td> "Save the Last Dance for Me" (1960) </Td> <Td> "I Count the Tears" (1960) </Td> </Tr> <P> "Save the Last Dance for Me" is the title of a popular song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, first recorded in 1960 by The Drifters, with Ben E. King on lead vocals . </P> <P> In a 1990 interview songwriter Doc Pomus tells the story of the song being recorded by the Drifters and originally designated as the B - side of the record . He credits Dick Clark with turning the record over and realizing "Save The Last Dance" was the stronger song . The Drifters' version of the song, released a few months after Ben E. King left the group, would go on to spend three non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the U.S. pop chart, in addition to logging one week atop the U.S. R&B chart . In the UK The Drifters' recording reached #2 in December 1960 . This single was produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, two noted American music producers who at the time had an apprentice relationship with a then - unknown Phil Spector . Although he was working with Leiber and Stoller at the time, it is unknown whether Spector assisted with the production of this record; however, many Spector fans have noticed similarities between this record and other music he would eventually produce on his own . Damita Jo had a hit with one of the answer songs of this era called "I'll Save The Last Dance For You". On September 9, 1965, the group performed the song live at the Cinnamon Cinder with Charlie Thomas lip - syncing the lyrics of Ben E. King vocals, along with fellow Drifters Johnny Moore and Eugene Pearson on backing vocals . </P>

Who sang the original song save the last dance for me