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45 RPM record in sleeve
photo by Styrous®
Sixty years ago today, on October 27, 1960, Spanish Harlem by American singer and pianist, Ben E. King was recorded at the Bell Sound Studios in New York City. The song was King's first hit away from The Drifters. It was originally released as the B-side to First Taste of Love.
I
remember hearing it for the first time. It is such a beautiful
little song with its slow and gentle, syncopated and sensual beat with the marimba accompaniment; how could you NOT remember hearing it? The arrangement is by Stan Applebaum; in addition to the marimba there was Spanish guitar, drum-beats, soprano saxophone,
strings, and a male chorus. It peaked at number 15 for rhythm and blues
and number 10 in pop music. It was ranked number 358 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. King's version was not a hit in the United Kingdom. The song was re-released in 1987, after Stand By Me made number one.
Spanish Harlem was written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector and produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
The song was covered by The Drifters and Aretha Franklin in 1971. The Drifter's version is a little faster while the Franklin version is way faster and a bit jazzier (links to all below).
Spanish Harlem lyrics
There is a rose in Spanish Harlem
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
It is a special one, it's never seen the sun
It only comes out when the moon is on the run
And all the stars are gleaming
It's growing in the street right up through the concrete
But soft and sweet and dreaming
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
It is a special one, it's never seen the sun
It only comes out when the moon is on the run
And all the stars are gleaming
It's growing in the street right up through the concrete
But soft and sweet and dreaming
There is a rose in Spanish Harlem
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
With eyes as black as coal
Then look down in my soul
And starts a fire there
And then I lose control
I have to beg your pardon
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
With eyes as black as coal
Then look down in my soul
And starts a fire there
And then I lose control
I have to beg your pardon
I'm going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows in my garden
And watch her as she grows in my garden
I'm going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows in my garden
And watch her as she grows in my garden
La la la, la la la, la la la la
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
La la la, la la la, la la la la
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
La la la, la la la, la la la la
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jerry Leiber / Phil Spector
The "B" side on this record, Taste of Love, actually started out as the "A" side with Spanish Harlem on the "B" side. By the time this record was issued, the switch had been made.
First Taste of Love was written by Doc Pomus, who wrote songs for many blues and rock singers, and Phil Spector, record producer, musician, and songwriter who developed the Wall of Sound, a music production formula he described as a Wagnerian approach to rock and roll.
Tracklist:
Side 1:
A Ain't Got No Home, written by Clarence Henry*
Side 2:
B First Taste Of Love, written by Pomus*, Spector* - 2:17
Companies, etc.
Record Company – Argo Record Corp.
Published By – Arc Music (2)
Credits:
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor [Orchestra] – Stan Applebaum
Engineer [Uncredited] – Phil Ramone
Producer – Leiber & Stoller
Side 1:
A Ain't Got No Home, written by Clarence Henry*
Side 2:
B First Taste Of Love, written by Pomus*, Spector* - 2:17
Companies, etc.
Record Company – Argo Record Corp.
Published By – Arc Music (2)
Credits:
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor [Orchestra] – Stan Applebaum
Engineer [Uncredited] – Phil Ramone
Producer – Leiber & Stoller
Notes:
Both sides recorded at Bell Sound Studios, New York City on October 27, 1960
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (Side A): 60C5161
Matrix / Runout (Side B): 60C5162 II
Rights Society: BMI
Ben E. King – Spanish Harlem / First Taste Of Love
Label: ATCO Records – 45-6185
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: Dec 1960
Genre: Pop
Style: Vocal
Label: ATCO Records – 45-6185
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: Dec 1960
Genre: Pop
Style: Vocal
Viewfinder links:
50srockin ~ Bell Sound Studios N.Y.C
YouTube links:
The Drifters ~ Spanish Harlem
Aretha Franklin ~ Spanish Harlem
Ben E. King ~
Styrous® ~ Monday, September 7, 2020
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