Artist
Ben E. King
Lyrics
There is a rose in Spanish Harlem,
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem.
It is the 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 that looks down in my soul
And starts a fire there and then I lose control
I have to beg your pardon.
I'm goin' to pick that rose and watch her as she grows in my garden.
I'm goin' to pick that rose and watch her as she grows in my garden.
La la la, la la la, la la la la. (repeat)
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem.
It is the 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 that looks down in my soul
And starts a fire there and then I lose control
I have to beg your pardon.
I'm goin' to pick that rose and watch her as she grows in my garden.
I'm goin' to pick that rose and watch her as she grows in my garden.
La la la, la la la, la la la la. (repeat)
RS500_rank
349
Length
2:48
BPM
125.4
Released Year
1961
Genre Era
Genre
Key
A m
Produced By
Mike Stoller, Leiber
Released Info
Dec. '60 on Atco
Chart Weeks
16 weeks
Chart Top
No. 10
Musicbrainz ID
6dc83ef5-acff-3581-9040-ec5a41040e68
Song Note Source
Rolling Stone 500
Song of Day Date
Written By
Phil Spector, Jerry Leiber
Album
The Very Best of Ben E. King (Rhino)
Song Status
King grew up mere blocks from the New York hood that provided this song's setting. The singer had just split from doo-wop superstars the Drifters and was eager to make an auspicious solo debut. He insisted on cutting "Spanish Harlem," a rare collaboration between Spector and Leiber, two titans of teen pop. Spector later claimed that this was Lenny Bruce's favorite song.