About the Song
Background
- Original Version: “Spanish Harlem” was originally written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector and released in 1960 by Ben E. King.
- Aretha’s Rendition: Aretha Franklin released her soulful cover in 1971. Her version became iconic, reaching number one on the R&B charts and number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Production: The lush production of Aretha’s version was created by the legendary team of Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd, and Arif Mardin.
Themes
- The Allure of a Place: The song paints a romanticized picture of Spanish Harlem in New York City, focusing on its vibrancy, sensuality, and the allure of a symbolic red rose.
- Dreams and Longing: There’s an underlying sense of yearning—a desire for a life filled with passion, love, and a touch of the exotic.
- Identity and Belonging: While not explicitly stated, the song could be interpreted as exploring themes of identity and a search for a place, or a person, where one fully belongs. Aretha’s powerful vocals imbue it with a particularly strong sense of longing.
Lyrics
Here’s a look at some key lyrics and what they convey:
- “There is a rose in Spanish Harlem. A red rose up in Spanish Harlem “
- This central image establishes the rose as a symbol of beauty, desire, and possibly the woman the speaker is drawn to.
- “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”
- This highlights a sense of mystery and allure, something that’s hidden or unattainable, only emerging under special circumstances.
- “There’s a man in Spanish Harlem…And he will dance with her until the night is done”
- This introduces a male figure into the picture. There’s ambiguity about whether he’s a rival or potential lover.
Overall
Aretha Franklin’s rendition of “Spanish Harlem” is a classic. Her soulful vocals, combined with the song’s evocative lyrics about desire, place, and an idealized love, cemented its power. The song evokes both the specificity of a location and the universality of longing.
Video
Lyric
It is the special oneIt never sees the sunIt only comes upWhen the moon is on the runAnd all the stars are gleamingIt’s growing in the streetRight up through the concreteBut soft, sweet and dreamy
With eyes as black as coalThat look down in his soulAnd start a fire there and then he looses controlI’m gonna beg his pardon, yeahHe’s going to pick that roseAnd watch her as she growsIn his garden
With eyes as black as coalThat look down in his soulAnd start a fire there and then he loses controlAnd I’m beg his pardonHe’s going to pick that roseAnd watch her as she growsIn his garden