October 27, 2020

45 RPMs 51: Ben E. King ~ Spanish Harlem

~      
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.      


45 RPM record label
photo by Styrous® 

 
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.        

Cliff Richard released a version in 1962. He also recorded a German version, titled Das ist die Frage aller Fragen, with lyrics by Carl Ulrich Blecher, that was a #1 hit in Germany and Austria in 1963, and a #1 hit in Switzerland in 1965.                 
 
 
Ben E. King ~ Spanish Harlem
45 RPM record label
photo by Styrous® 


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
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
I'm going to pick that rose
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
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)
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jerry Leiber / Phil Spector


 Ben E. King ~ First Taste of Love
45 RPM record in sleeve
photo by Styrous®

 
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.     
 
 
Ben E. King ~ First Taste of Love
45 RPM record label
photo by Styrous®    
     

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.       


Ben E. King ~ First Taste of Love
45 RPM record label
photo by Styrous®   

     
      
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
        
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

       
       
      
  
Viewfinder links:       
         
The Drifters          
Ben E. King         
Doc Pomus         
Phil Spector      
     
Net links:       
         
50srockin ~ Bell Sound Studios N.Y.C                 
     
YouTube links:      
        
The Drifters ~ Spanish Harlem         
Aretha Franklin ~ Spanish Harlem         
Ben E. King ~      
        First Tast of Love        
        Spanish Harlem        
       Spanish Harlem (Original 1960 version in MONO recorded by Phil Spector)    
Cliff Richard ~ Das Ist Frage Aller Fragen        
        
              
      
Styrous® ~ Monday, September 7, 2020        







      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      
    

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