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Introduction
There’s something magical about watching a true country music pioneer breathe new life into a classic song, and that’s exactly what happens when Myrna Lorrie takes on “Save The Last Dance For Me.” Her 1991 performance on the Canadian TV show “No. 1 West” isn’t just a cover – it’s a masterclass in how to make a beloved standard feel both timeless and personal.
When Myrna steps up to the microphone, backed by Brian Sklar and the Prairie Fire band, you can feel decades of musical experience in every note. Her warm, rich voice carries the emotional weight of the lyrics with an effortless grace that only comes from someone who’s lived enough life to understand what they’re singing about. There’s a gentle confidence in her delivery that makes you lean in and listen.
What makes this performance so special is the way Myrna honors the song’s origins while making it distinctly her own. Originally recorded by The Drifters in 1960 with Ben E. King on lead vocals, “Save The Last Dance For Me” tells a poignant story – it was written by Doc Pomus, who had polio and used crutches, watching his bride dance with others at their wedding. When Myrna sings it, she brings her own lifetime of experiences to those words, adding layers of meaning that only a seasoned artist could provide.
This performance also represents a beautiful chapter in Myrna’s remarkable career. By 1991, she was already a Canadian country music legend – a pioneer who broke through internationally at just 15 years old with her 1955 hit “Are You Mine,” becoming one of the first Canadian artists to chart on Billboard. With two Juno Awards under her belt and an induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, her appearance on “No. 1 West” showcases an artist who had nothing left to prove but still gave everything to the music.
The Prairie Fire band provides the perfect backdrop for Myrna’s vocals, with a traditional country arrangement that lets the melody shine. It’s a reminder of country music’s power to connect across generations – a song born in the early rock and roll era, interpreted by a country legend who began her career in the 1950s, performed for a 1990s television audience, and still resonating today.
Whether you’re discovering Myrna Lorrie for the first time or you’ve been a fan since her early days, this performance captures everything that makes her special – the warmth, the authenticity, and that unmistakable voice that feels like coming home.
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