Top Ten The Drifters Songs

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Top Ten The Drifters Songs

The Drifters is one of the most famous US blues and soul bands. They reigned from the fifties all the way to the early seventies. Throughout these decades, they ended up producing a plethora of now classic numbers belonging to these genres. For my list, I chose to honor those renowned masterpieces, but also some underrated gems that deserve more attention. With that said, here are the ten greatest Drifters songs with three honorable mentions.

10. Like Sister and Brother

Like Sister and Brother takes the tenth spot on this list despite being ranked higher by many others. It’s not as memorable to me personally as it’s somewhat leisurely in style, but the song is still wonderfully sung, very well written and quite moving.

9. Can I Take You Home Little Girl?

This is an immensely underrated Drifters song that is almost never mentioned, but it’s so sweet and charming in that typically romantic Drifters way. While the lyrics are fine and the chorus is great, it is the overall beat here that is infectiously strong and memorable.

8. Kissin’ in the Back Row of the Movies

As a cinephile, it’s a fantastic fact to me that The Drifters made a couple of songs about the pure joy of theater-going and its function as a date for lovebirds. Thus, this song is both romantic and very moody. The chorus is infectiously memorable as well.

7. Some Kind of Wonderful

While at first not especially memorable, this tune becomes more and more striking as it goes on, culminating in particular with that truly moving and perfectly executed final line. It’s such a romantic, beautiful song that deserves more attention on other Drifters lists.

6. Down on the Beach Tonight

Like many Drifters best songs, Down on the Beach Tonight also starts suddenly with that amazing refrain. It never quite loses its steam as it remains very catchy, entertaining and full of positively vibrant images that it describes. It’s among the fastest songs on their roster for sure.

5. Fools Fall in Love

Fools Fall in Love erupts in an instant and never lets go with its iconic refrain. It’s beautifully nostalgic of its time period, solidly written and just damn catchy in its chorus. In fact, it’s one of the most fun and also most underrated numbers among this band’s opus.

4. This Magic Moment

This Magic Moment is another truly romantic song that’s totally earned in its emotion instead of being manipulative and cheesy like most ballads are. Sweeping in its orchestra and stunningly sung, it’s just a classic for all couples into retro ballads out there.

3. There Goes My Baby

There Goes My Baby has very strong backup vocals, highly romantic lyrics and amazing singing throughout. The opening salvo is particularly effecting at instantly hooking the listeners in. It is way too short at just around two minutes, but it’s still impactful and wonderful.

2. Under the Boardwalk

Under the Boardwalk is the second best Drifters song for many different reasons. One of the main ones has to be its authenticity as structurally speaking, the number is switched in its sections, and thus not unlike most other songs out there. Another proof of its greatness is the beautiful singing and the gorgeously evocative lyrics that paint this entire street unforgettably. It’s all so atmospheric and sweet.

1. Save the Last Dance for Me

While there is a lot of debate on what the best Drifters song would be among the music critics, but based on importance and sheer memorability, this iconic classic easily takes the top spot on my list. Yes, everybody has heard at  least a couple of times Save the Last Dance for Me. While short as most Drifters numbers are, this tune isn’t just incredibly recognizable and fueled by an infectious, beautiful lyrics, but it’s also amazingly sung and unabashedly romantic. In fact, it just might be one of the most purely romantic songs ever written. I love it to pieces and no other song could have beaten it for the first spot on my list.

Honorable Mentions:

Honey Love – Honey Love almost received the tenth spot, but still it’s a deserved honorable mention as it’s very upbeat, fun and sung by the band’s woman, which made it unique.

Sweets for My Sweet – Sweets for My Sweet erupts as usual instantly and it remains like that throughout – very sweet, memorable and charming. The refrain with the backups is superb.

Up on the Roof – While Up on the Roof is renowned among The Drifters’ opus, I find it very good of course, but way too similar and inferior to the masterpiece Under the Boardwalk.