Aretha Franklin – Spanish Harlem

About the song

“Spanish Harlem” by Aretha Franklin is a soulful, emotive cover of the original hit written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector, and first recorded by Ben E. King in 1960. Released in 1971 on her album Aretha’s Gold, Aretha Franklin’s version of the song brought her unique, powerhouse voice to a track already rich in emotion and cultural significance. With its Latin-inspired rhythms and evocative lyrics, “Spanish Harlem” became a timeless classic, further solidifying Aretha Franklin as one of the most influential and versatile vocalists in music history.

“Spanish Harlem” tells the story of a romanticized, almost mystical version of Harlem, a neighborhood in New York City that, in the 1960s and 70s, was a center for African American culture, music, and politics. The song’s lyrics describe a beautiful woman, possibly representing the vibrant, passionate essence of Harlem itself, who is compared to a “rose” growing in the heart of the city. The image of a “rose in Spanish Harlem” suggests a combination of beauty, strength, and resilience, which can be seen as a metaphor for both the community and the woman it celebrates. This imagery, combined with the soulful rhythm and melody, creates a rich, almost cinematic portrait of the neighborhood’s cultural vibrancy and diversity.

For Aretha Franklin, “Spanish Harlem” was an opportunity to bring her own interpretative touch to an already beloved song. Known for her ability to imbue any song she sang with deep emotion and technical precision, Franklin’s rendition of “Spanish Harlem” was both a celebration of her roots in gospel music and an exploration of Latin rhythms, marking a fusion of genres that was uncommon at the time. Franklin’s powerful voice shines on the track, giving the song a deeper, more soulful interpretation. Her ability to effortlessly switch between pop, soul, blues, and gospel styles allowed her to elevate the song beyond its original arrangement. She brought a new level of emotion to the lyrics, with her vocal phrasing and delivery highlighting both the longing and tenderness in the words.

Released as a single in 1971, “Spanish Harlem” became one of Aretha Franklin’s many hits during her golden period of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The song reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and solidified Franklin’s status as a pop and soul icon. Franklin’s ability to cross over into different musical genres made her a groundbreaking figure in the world of popular music, and “Spanish Harlem” was a perfect example of her versatility.

The meaning of “Spanish Harlem” has layers of significance. On one level, the song is an exploration of romantic love and admiration for a beautiful woman, possibly someone from the streets of Harlem herself. However, it also carries a deeper cultural significance, particularly as it celebrates the vibrancy of Harlem, which in the 1960s was undergoing a period of both artistic flourishing and social upheaval. The neighborhood was home to the Harlem Renaissance in the early 20th century, and by the 1960s, it was also a hub for the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Arts Movement, and a growing Latino community. The romanticized “rose” in the lyrics could be seen as symbolic of the community’s resilience and beauty in the face of adversity.

The cultural impact of “Spanish Harlem” is multifaceted. The song reflects a merging of African American and Latin influences, something that was especially significant in the music world during the early 1970s. The blend of soul with Latin rhythms (particularly the Afro-Cuban style) represented an expanding appreciation of multiculturalism in popular music. At a time when Aretha Franklin was achieving her greatest commercial success, her cover of “Spanish Harlem” stood out for both its musical innovation and its lyrical celebration of a cultural melting pot. It was a song that transcended racial and cultural boundaries, and it became part of a broader musical movement that embraced diversity and fusion.

Aretha Franklin’s interpretation of “Spanish Harlem” also aligns with her broader social and artistic sensibilities. Throughout her career, Franklin was known for her ability to infuse her music with themes of empowerment, liberation, and identity. In many ways, “Spanish Harlem” serves as a celebration of the strength and beauty of the communities of Harlem and beyond—communities that were often overlooked or stereotyped in the broader American narrative. By giving voice to these communities through a powerful, soulful performance, Franklin provided both a cultural statement and a deeply personal interpretation of the song.

Musically, “Spanish Harlem” incorporates a distinctive Latin beat, with rhythmic percussion and brass instruments that evoke the feel of New York City’s Latin music scene, making it a perfect vehicle for Aretha Franklin’s soulful delivery. The arrangement features lush strings and a laid-back rhythm, allowing Franklin’s vocals to soar above the instrumentation. Her voice is at once delicate and powerful, and she brings an emotional depth to the track that elevates the song from a simple love story to a celebration of life, passion, and culture.

The influence of Aretha Franklin’s version of “Spanish Harlem” is clear in the way it further solidified her place as an artist who was not only capable of mastering any genre but was also unafraid to experiment with new sounds and influences. The song represents the soul of Harlem as much as it celebrates the woman within the narrative. It is a tribute to a neighborhood that has been central to the development of American culture—especially in terms of music, civil rights, and identity.

In conclusion, “Spanish Harlem” is a standout track in Aretha Franklin’s illustrious career. Her stunning vocal performance, coupled with the song’s poignant, layered meaning, makes it an enduring classic in the realms of both soul and pop music. The track not only showcases Franklin’s vocal prowess but also her ability to connect deeply with the emotional core of a song, transforming it into something even more timeless and universally relatable. Through “Spanish Harlem”, Aretha Franklin didn’t just make a great cover; she redefined the song for generations to come, embedding it within the cultural and musical landscape of the 20th century.

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Lyrics

It is the special one
It never sees the sun
It only comes up
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, sweet and dreamy

With eyes as black as coal
That look down in his soul
And start a fire there and then he looses control
I’m gonna beg his pardon, yeah
He’s going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows
In his garden

With eyes as black as coal
That look down in his soul
And start a fire there and then he loses control
And I’m beg his pardon
He’s going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows
In his garden