Composers: Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman
Original Artist: the Drifters
Label: Atlantic Records; Recording: Atlantic #2050 (45)
Release Year: 1960; Chart: #16 Billboard Hot 100 and #4 R&B
Cover Artist: Jay and the Americans
Label: United Artists Records; Recording: United Artists #50475 (45)
Release Year: 1968; Chart: #6 Billboard Hot 100
Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman wrote so many famous songs in a very short period of time - “A Teenager in Love,” “Hushabye," “Turn Me I-oose,” “Little Sister," “His Latest Flame,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” and “This Magic Moment” arc just a few. The latter was recorded first by Ben E. King and the Drifters in 1960 with a flawless siring section providing most of the accompaniment. It was a big hit on both the Pop and R&B charts.
Almost every single Ben E. King hit has been covered, and "This Magic Moment” is no exception. Very late in 1968, Jay Black and the Americans released their version. It quickly became the group’s fourth Top 10 hit and sold a million copies. For the song, the magic happened again.
Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman were both inducted (separately) into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
This Magic Moment* perfectly captures the feeling of first love and your first kiss, and is one of the very best from the Pomus/Shuman songbook. It is doubtful whether Doc Pomus could have written a lyric like this without his meeting, and marrying, Willi Burke. This Magic Moment’ was recorded on 23 December, 1959, featuring Ben E King on lead vocals and an elegant Lieber and Stoller production complete with Latin American beat, sweeping strings and expressive Spanish guitar touches. Its early i960 release saw the song rise steadily to number 16 on the US charts, a modest placing for such a good song. A cover version by Jay and the Americans, however, fared better when, in 1969, their recording went to number 6 and earned them a gold record. Amongst other cover versions is a very interesting one by Lou Reed.
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