This Magic Moment

"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|Billboard Hot 100] and reached No. 16 on April 2, 1960.

Chart history

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, landing at No. 1 on Canada's "RPM 100" and No. 11 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart. The song also debuted at No. 4 in the first issue of RPM's "Young Adult" adult contemporary chart. The single earned gold record status from the Recording [Industry Association of America].

Chart history

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

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.
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.