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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This was the first single King released as a solo artist. He had just left The Drifters after complaining of low wages.

Spanish Harlem is a section of New York City with a large Latino population. It has a rich cultural heritage, but has been plagued by crime and social problems.

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.

This was the title track of King's first solo album. It had a Spanish theme, with songs like "Besame Mucho" and "Perfidia."

King recorded this in the same sessions as "Stand By Me," which would be his next release and biggest hit.

This was released as a double A-side with "First Taste Of Love."

Aretha Franklin's version hit #2 US in 1971. Dr. John played organ on the track. (thanks, Christine - Chicago, IL)

The Gospelaires, who were a vocal trio including a pre-fame Dionne Warwick, sang backup on this. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

In Hound Dog: The Leiber & Stoller Autobiography, Jerry Leiber gives a rather dark account of how Phil Spector came to work with them. Sent by their mentor Lester Sill as the new whiz-kid on the block, Leiber refers to Phil Spector as if he were a millstone hanging around their neck. Jerry Leiber says, "He wore his ambition like a topcoat; it was all over him." and "Phil was like a puppy dog, except he wasn't especially lovable. Everywhere I went he would follow." One might take stock of this in light of the fact that Phil Spector is now serving time for a 2009 murder conviction, for the 2003 death of actress Lana Clarkson.

Comments:

Bruce Springsteen performed this song in three concerts; 1st. 10-18-1974, Capitol Theatre, Passiac, NJ 2nd. 10-19-1974, Union College, Schenectady, NY 3rd. 10-20-1974, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
- Barry, Sauquoit, NY

did you know that the song spanish harlem was bobby kennedy s favorite song, he talked about this the night he was shot in l.a. at the Ambassador hotel, i was with 2 porta ricans, and he thanked them for helping with his run for pres. i never for got this..
- susanna, Los angeles, CA

In Frederick Forsyth's novel "The Dogs of War" (1974), the main chacter, mercenary Cat Shannon, has the custom of whistling "Spanish Harlem" whenever he goes into battle or returns from battle. - Mikael, Helsinki, Finland
- Mikael, Helsinki, Finland

If I'm not mistaken, back in 1961, there were several (if not many) pop/rock stations that refused to play this record as well as display it on their weekly printed surveys....rumored to be too racially charged for the white audience.
- Mike, Knoxville, TN

Correction : This song is written by Phil Spector and Jerry Leiber, produced by Leiber and Stoller (Ben E. King said for 95 %, so there's still 5 % left to Phil Spector). You can find this song on Phil Spector's "Back to Mono". I have this cd-box and I can tell you that it's GREAT. Love you Phil Spector!
- Teresa, Mechelen, Belgium

A very beautiful song of Phil Spector and Jerry Leiber, produced by Phil Spector, to listen to this song is a joy forever.
- Teresa, Mechelen, Belgium

This song is extremely beautiful and I like the way it is sung by Ben E. King. It's nice to have a positive song about a neighborhood that usually gets a bad reputation. This song also reminds of West Side Story, which I think was released two years afterward.
- Sammy, New York, NY