Ben E. King - Spanish Harlem Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who wrote the song 'Spanish Harlem'?

   'Spanish Harlem' was written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector. Leiber was the lyricist, while Spector contributed to the melody and arrangement.

2. When was 'Spanish Harlem' released?

   'Spanish Harlem' was released in 1960 as Ben E. King's first single after leaving The Drifters.

3. What instruments are featured in 'Spanish Harlem'?

   The song features Spanish guitar, marimba, drum-beats, soprano saxophone, strings, and a male chorus. The arrangement was done by Stan Applebaum.

4. Did 'Spanish Harlem' achieve commercial success?

   'Spanish Harlem' peaked at number 15 on Billboard's rhythm and blues chart and number 10 on the pop music chart. It became a significant hit for Ben E. King.

5. Who produced 'Spanish Harlem'?

   'Spanish Harlem' was produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Stoller also created the key instrumental introduction for the record.

6. Has 'Spanish Harlem' been covered by other artists?

   Yes, Aretha Franklin released a cover version in July 1971 that outperformed the original on the charts. Her version went to number one on the US Soul charts and number two on the Pop charts.