This Magic Moment was another Drifters success. It spent 11 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching a peak at # 16 in April, 1960. Ben E. King’s beautiful voice is front and center, and the ubiquitous violins are also featured, both at the beginning of the song and in a solo in the middle.

So here is audio of The Drifters performing This Magic Moment. This is listed as featuring Ben E. King’s vocals (this is important because many of the Drifters’ most popular songs were re-recorded for “Greatest Hits” compilations after King left the group).

The Ben E. King / Drifters version of “This Magic Moment,” released in January 1960 – entered the Billboard Hot 100 on February 16th, 1960 and would peak at No. 16 on March 28th, remaining on that chart for 11 weeks. It also hit No. 4 on the R&B charts and spent 11 weeks on that chart. The Drifters then included: Ben E. King, Charlie Thomas, Dock Green, and Elsbeary Hobbs.

“This Magic Moment” used strings to good effect, especially at the song’s opening, in a swirling statement of something special to come. And they continue in background throughout the song, punctuated by acoustic guitar during the summer night verse, and complimented by The Drifters’ backing chorus.

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller were the producers, bringing in session musicians to polish the production. Among those musicians were: Phil Bodner (sax), Ernie Hayes (piano), Bucky Pizzarell and George Barnes (guitar), George Duvivier (bass), and Shep Sheppard (drums).

The “magic moment,” of course – the song’s central thesis – has to do with young love. Magic is indeed part of what happens in that first flush of new love – a hard thing to articulate and capture, whether in music or in life.

Video

Lyrics

This magic moment, so different and so new
But like any other until I kissed you
And then it happened
It took me by surprise
I knew that you felt it too by the look in your eyes
Sweeter than wine
Softer than the summer night
Everything I want I have
Whenever I hold you tight
This magic moment
While your lips are close to mine
Would last forever
Forever ’til the end of time (magic)
Oh-oh-oh (magic)
Oh-oh-oh (magic)
Oh-oh-oh (magic)
Sweeter than wine
Softer than the summer night
Everything I want I have
Whenever I hold you tight
This magic moment
While your lips are close to mine would last forever
Forever ’til the end of time (magic)
Oh-oh-oh (magic)
Magic moment (magic)
Magic moment (magic)
Magic moment, (magic)
Oh-oh-oh, (magic)
Oh-oh-oh, (magic)