In July 1971, Aretha Franklin released a cover version of the song that outperformed the original on the charts and in which Franklin changed the lyrics slightly: from "A red rose up in Spanish Harlem" to "There's a rose in Black 'n Spanish Harlem. A rose in Black 'n Spanish Harlem.” Her version went to number one on the US Soul charts for three weeks and number two on the Pop charts for two weeks. "Spanish Harlem" was kept from the top spot by "Go Away Little Girl" by Donny Osmond. This version also hit number six on Billboard's Easy Listening chart. Aretha Franklin's version earned a gold single for sales of over one million.
Dr. John played keyboards on Franklin's version with Bernard "Pretty" Purdie on drums and Chuck Rainey on bass.
Spanish Harlem
Aretha Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(La-la-la la la la la la la la)
(There's a rose in Black and Spanish Harlem)
(A rose in Black and Spanish Harlem)
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
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
(A rose in Black and Spanish Harlem)
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
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
(A rose in Black and Spanish Harlem)
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
(La-la-la- la la la la la la la)
(La la la-la-la la-la-la la)
(La la la-la-la la-la-la la)
(La la la-la-la la-la-la la)
The lyrics to Aretha Franklin's song Spanish Harlem describe a rose growing in a tough urban environment. The rose grows through concrete, but it is delicate and sweet. The song is about a man who sees the rose and is captivated by its beauty, represented by the woman referred to as "rose" in the lyrics. She has eyes "as black as coal" that look into his soul and ignite a fire within him. The man is going to pick the rose and watch her grow in his garden.
The lyrics evoke a sense of contrast between the roughness of the city and the gentle beauty of the rose. The rose is a symbol of something fragile and precious that can thrive in even the toughest of conditions. The man who picks the rose and watches her grow is also a symbol of hope and possibility. He sees something beautiful in a difficult environment and seeks to cultivate it, which represents the power of the human spirit to find and cherish beauty even in the most unlikely places.
Line by Line Meaning
(La-la-la la la la la la la la)
Background music without any lyrics
(There's a rose in Black and Spanish Harlem)
In the neighborhood of Black and Spanish Harlem, there is a special flower
(A rose in Black and Spanish Harlem)
Reiteration of the existence of the special flower in Black and Spanish Harlem
It is the special one
The flower is unique and precious
It never sees the sun
The flower grows in the dark and in unfavorable conditions
It only comes up
The flower only blooms
When the moon is on the run
Only when the moon is out shining that this flower blooms
And all the stars are gleaming
The blooming of this flower is a rare and special event
It's growing in the street
The flower is growing fiercely and tenaciously in an urban environment
Right up through the concrete
Through the hard and rough pavements, this flower perseveres and grows
But soft, sweet and dreamy
Despite the difficult environment, the flower exudes a gentle, sweet, and calming vibe
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
Reiteration of the existence of a special flower in Spanish Harlem, which is different from other roses
With eyes as black as coal
A description of someone who is interested in this flower, who has dark and captivating eyes
That look down in his soul
The person is deeply moved and touched by the beauty of the flower
And start a fire there and then he loses control
The person is overwhelmed by the beauty of the flower and is completely captivated by it
I'm gonna beg his pardon, yeah
The person singing admits that she is going to ask for forgiveness because of the feelings that the flower has stirred in the other person
He's going to pick that rose
The other person will cherish and adore the special flower and include it in his life
And watch her as she grows
The other person will keep an eye on the flower, nurturing and caring for it
In his garden
The other person will include the special flower in his personal life
(La-la-la- la la la la la la la)
Background music without any lyrics
(La la la-la-la la-la-la la)
Background music without any lyrics
(La la la-la-la la-la-la la)
Background music without any lyrics
(La la la-la-la la-la-la la)
Background music without any lyrics
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Phil Spector
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pacino Rules
I'm an old fogey, and I respect folks who know how to program a drum machine, but there's nothing better than listening to great musicians play instruments. Kudos to Aretha, Donny Hathaway, Bernard Purdie, Cornell Dupree, and Chuck Rainey. Background vocals by her two sisters, Carolyn and Erma as well as the Sweethearts of Soul.
Tzwixi
....and church.... often these musicians and singers grew up in churches..... Aretha as well.... in Detroit... a city that was very very christian....
Angela Channing
You better say it!
cheryl shaw
I agree. Nothing takes the place of a musician who is skilled on an instrument.
Kevin VinCal
"when areatha borrow your song she don't give it back." - stevie wonder
Taunja Dickens-Harrison
Truth!!!
Lorraine Talley
This song is so special to me because it was the song that my son discovered what a special singer Aretha was. He loved this song he hummed or sang sections of this song constantly. He passed away five years ago from leukemia on August 3rd and Aretha passed on my sisters birthday August 16th. It quickly became my favorite. RIP ReRe.
Roble Maer
My heart goes out to you.
Barbara Brown
My Dad loved this song! Especially the guitar . He played it almost everyday. Rest Easy Daddy Frank. 8-27-17... 💜
psywizard880
My dad loved this song also. He said it was the best version ever recorded! Go daddy!❤️🏈