"This Magic Moment" is a song composed by lyricist Doc Pomus and pianist Mort Shuman. It was first recorded by the Drifters, with Ben E. King singing lead.
Original Drifters version It was recorded first by Ben E. King and the Drifters, at Bell Sound Studios in New York City. The Drifters version spent 11 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 16 on April 2, 1960.The Drifters – Chart History – The Hot 100, Billboard.com. Accessed May 21, 2016
Chart history Chart (1960)PeakpositionUS Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – 16US Billboard R&B4US Cash Box Top 100Cash Box Top 100 Singles, April 2, 19609CAN (CHUM Charts Hit Parade)20
Jay and the Americans version In 1968, Jay and the Americans released a version which became the song's most widely successful release. The record spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 6 on March 1, 1969,Jay & the Americans – Chart History – The Hot 100, Billboard.com. Accessed May 21, 2016 landing at No. 1 on Canada's "RPM 100""R.P.M. 100", RPM Weekly, Volume 11, No. 2, March 10, 1969. Accessed May 21, 2016 and No. 11 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart.Jay & the Americans – Chart History – Adult Contemporary, Billboard.com. Accessed May 21, 2016 The song also debuted at No. 4 in the first issue of RPM's "Young Adult" adult contemporary chart."Young Adult", RPM Weekly, Volume 11, No. 4, March 24, 1969. Accessed May 21, 2016 The single earned gold record status from the Recording Industry Association of America.Gold & Platinum, RIAA. Accessed May 21, 2016
Chart history
Weekly charts Chart (1968–69)PeakpositionCanada RPM Top Singles1Canada RPM Adult Contemporary4US Billboard Hot 1006US Billboard Adult Contemporary11US Cash Box Top 1005
Year-end charts Chart (1969)RankCanada RPM Top Singles25US Billboard Hot 100Musicoutfitters.com56US Cash Box25
In popular culture The original version of the song was used in the following productions: The Sandlot, the 1993 sports comedy film directed by David M. Evans "Soprano Home Movies", an episode of The Sopranos "This Magic Moment", a documentary film from ESPN's 30 for 30 about the Orlando Magic "Selena Gomez/Post Malone", an episode from the 47th season of Saturday Night Live, in a sketch about the invention of the whoopee cushion
Lou Reed's version, from a Doc Pomus tribute album, Till the Night is Gone, was featured in David Lynch's film Lost Highway (1997).
Rick James released a version of the song as a single as part of a medley with "Dance With Me" in 1989. It went to No. 74 on the U.S. R&B chart.
References
External links http://aln2.albumlinernotes.com/Atlantic_-_Volume_Four.html https://www.docpomusofficial.com/