Chester Burton Atkins born 20 June 1924 - Died 30 June 2001 in Nashville, T… Read Full Bio ↴Chester Burton Atkins born 20 June 1924 - Died 30 June 2001 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States (1942–1996) . was an American guitarist and record producer. Together with Owen Bradley, Atkins created the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country music's appeal to include adult pop music fans as well. His virtuoso picking style - inspired by Merle Travis, Django Reinhardt, George Barnes and Les Paul - brought him admirers both within and outside the country scene. Atkins produced records for Eddy Arnold, Don Gibson, Jim Reeves, Jerry Reed, Connie Smith, and Waylon Jennings.

Spanish Harlem
Chet Atkins Lyrics

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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 dreaming

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)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chet Atkins's "Spanish Harlem" paint a vivid and romanticized picture of a rose that grows in the midst of an urban landscape. The song describes a red rose that is unique and rare, as it only blooms under the cover of the moon and the stars. The romance of the rose is further amplified by the contrast of its soft and sweet nature against the rough concrete landscape it grows through. The imagery speaks to the idea that love can be found in unexpected and unlikely places, and that it can bloom even in the harshest conditions.

The second half of the song shifts from the rose to the singer's own experience of falling in love. He describes a woman with eyes as black as coal, who sets his soul on fire and leaves him out of control. The metaphor of the rose is carried over into this section, as the singer declares his intention to "pick that rose" and cultivate it in his own garden. Overall, the lyrics of "Spanish Harlem" are a poetic celebration of love's ability to flourish in the most unlikely of circumstances.

Line by Line Meaning

There is a rose in Spanish Harlem
In the neighborhood of Spanish Harlem, there is a beautiful red flower.

A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
A bright and gorgeous red flower is blooming in Spanish Harlem.

It is a special one, it's never seen the sun
This flower is unique because it hasn't been exposed to sunlight.

It only comes out when the moon is on the run
The flower only blooms when the moon is up and shining bright.

And all the stars are gleaming
The brightness of the stars casts a beautiful glow on the flower.

It's growing in the street right up through the concrete
Despite being in a less-than-ideal location, the flower is resilient and growing through the concrete of the street.

But soft and sweet and dreaming
The flower may be strong, but its delicate petals give off a soft and sweet fragrance, like it's dreaming.

With eyes as black as coal that look down in my soul
The flower's center is dark and mysterious, and it seems as though the flower is looking deep into the artist's soul.

And starts a fire there and then I lose control
The flower's beauty and mystery have a powerful effect on the artist, igniting a passion that makes them lose self-control.

I have to beg your pardon
The artist is apologizing for the intense emotions that the flower has stirred in them.

I'm going to pick that rose
Despite its rarity and beauty, the singer has decided to pick the flower.

And watch her as she grows in my garden
The artist plans to nurture and care for the flower, watching it as it thrives in a new environment.

(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
The chorus repeats the opening line, reminding us of the beauty and magic of this unique flower.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Phil Spector

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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