Originally recorded by:  Ben E. King


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 dreamin' 

There is a rose in Spanish Harlem 
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem 
With eyes as black as coal that 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 

(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem) 
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) 
FADE

DOCUMENTATION

This was the first single King released as a solo artist. 
Spanish Harlem is a section of New York City with a large Latino population. 
This was one of the first songs written by legendary producer Phil Spector. He wrote it with Jerry Leiber, the lyricist of the famous songwriting team Leiber and Stoller. Spector learned his craft working with Leiber and Stoller, and quickly made a name for himself as a top producer. 

Spanish Harlem has been covered by Chet Atkins, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond

Rick performed this song during his stint for Smokey Joe's Cafe in October 1999.