The song ranked #489 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. This was written by Arthur Resnick and Kenny Young. Resnick also wrote "[Good Lovin](https://hooktube.com/watch?v=Oy625sZAHN8)'" for The Rascals; Young wrote songs for Herman's Hermits and formed a band called Fox. It was Atlantic Records' head Jerry Wexler who came across the song at Resnick and Young's publishing company, and decided that The Drifters should record it. The group wasn't thrilled with the song, but Wexler had final say on all songs they recorded, and made it clear that they were going to record "Under The Boardwalk. The session to record this song was scheduled for May 20, 1964, but The Drifters lead singer Rudy Lewis was found dead that morning (the cause of death is unclear, but likely either a drug overdose or heart attack). Lewis had sung lead on most of their hits since the 1960 departure of Ben E. King, including "[Up on the Roof](https://hooktube.com/watch?v=puM1k-S86nE)".The session was rescheduled for the next day, and Johnny Moore was called in to replace Lewis. Moore was with The Drifters in 1958 when their manager fired everyone in the band and brought in new members. He was a convenient replacement for Lewis, and stayed on as their main vocalist.