Jerome Felder was at once elated, and terrified.
His dream had finally come true. Willi, the amazing, gorgeous Willi, the dancer with the impossibly shapely legs, had married him. Short, fat, crippled him. The ceremony had ended just a few minutes ago. Jerome and Willi were man and wife. Forever. Jerome was elated.
He sat at a table, watching Willi dance. Like an angel. He could, of course, only watch. Even during the traditional first dance, when a couple takes to the dance floor as man and wife for the first time, he could only watch as his wife danced with another man. For Jerome had had polio as a boy, and used crutches (and sometimes a wheelchair) to get around. Dancing was out of the question. The always thoughtful Willi had graciously offered to eschew the dance floor and sit with him. She didn’t need to dance, she had said, she’d rather sit with her husband and watch the others. Don’t be silly, Jerome had responded, you dance, have fun, I’ll watch. Now, as he watched her grace the dance floor with man after man, he wondered if he had made a huge mistake. Jerome was terrified.
One of the wedding invitations was on the table, right in front of Jerome. He picked it up, turned it over, took out his pen and started writing. A plea.
You can dance
Every dance with the guy
Who gave you the eye
Let him hold you tight
You can smile
Every 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, mmm
Yes, thought Jerome. Please Willi, always save the last dance for me. Please. He kept writing:
Oh I know
That the music is 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, mmm
I wish I could be everything to you Willi. It hurts not to be. Will you always love me anyway? I’ll make it up to you in every way I can, but please, always, save the last dance for me. The words continued to flow:
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
Go and carry on
Till 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 arms you're gonna be
So darlin'
Save the last dance for me
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin'
Save the last dance for me, mmm
Save the last dance for me, mmm
Save the last dance for me
Teardrops fell on the invitation and smeared some of the words. Jerome put the invitation in his pocket and dried his tears. Willi shouldn’t see him like this.
Jerome pretended to enjoy watching his wife dance with other men.
And pretended not to be terrified.
Three years later, The Drifters released “Save the Last Dance For Me”.
Eight years later, Willi asked Jerome for a divorce.
NOTE: The story above describes what might have been going through Jerome Felder’s mind when he wrote “Save the Last Dance For Me”. There is some controversy regarding exactly when Felder (better known by his stage name, Doc Pomus) wrote those lyrics. The song’s Wikipedia article states:
During an interview on Elvis Costello's show Spectacle, Lou Reed, who worked with Pomus, said the song was written on the day of Pomus' wedding while the wheelchair-bound groom watched his bride dancing with their guests.
Other sources (this one and this one) indicate that the song was indeed about Pomus’ wedding day experience, but written years later.
On March 12, 1991, at age 65, Doc Pomus, died of lung cancer. Pomus’ life story is fascinating, and much has been written about it. Jerry Wexler, one of the most important music producers of all time (and who coined the term “rhythm and blues”) said of Pomus, “if the music industry had a heart, it would be Doc Pomus”.
