England's one-man answer to Ferrante and Teicher, Aldrich churned out a ste… Read Full Bio ↴England's one-man answer to Ferrante and Teicher, Aldrich churned out a steady stream of albums featuring his "Twin Pianos" for London's Phase 4 label, starting in 1961--most of them no more distinguished than F&T's post-"prepared piano" recordings. Aldrich studied at the Guildhall School of Music in London and played and arranged for the RAF Dance Orchestra during World War Two. After the war, he remained associated with the group as it mutated into "The Squadronaires" and became one of the most popular groups in England. Aldrich eventually became the band's leader and conductor, and stayed in that role until the group dissolved in 1964. He also worked as musical director for Thames Television.

Aldrich's albums are usually pretty , easy listening,but if you haven't heard one, it's worth spending up to three bucks to own your own little bit of authentic 60s experience. Not the Haight-Ashbury-Woodstock-Jimi Hendrix kind of experience, but the experience most people had. What he produced entertained millions, although obviously not cutting edge music. Put on Ronnie's take on "Music to Watch Girls By" and you can imagine yourself strolling down the aisle at the A&P or shopping for school clothes at J.C. Penney. Or riding an elevator to your dad's office. Or waiting at the Omaha Airport. Who needs Eastern philosophy to get blissed out?

Born at Erith , Kent, U K, 15th February 1916, educated in Folkestone and proved musically talented as he learnt to play the piano aged only 3 !!! After his musical career he retired to the Isle of Man, where he died, from prostate cancer, aged 77, on the 30th September 1993.

Spanish Harlem
Ronnie Aldrich 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 to Ronnie Aldrich's song "Spanish Harlem" invoke a vivid image of a beautiful red rose growing amidst the concrete streets of Spanish Harlem. The rose is described as special and unique, only revealing itself under the light of the moon and stars. This imagery is powerful and suggests that even in the harshest of environments, beauty and hope can still exist. The lyrics also contain a romantic element, with the singer admiring the rose's black eyes that seem to look deep into their soul, igniting a fire within that causes them to lose control. This sense of passion and desire is further emphasized by the line, "I'm going to pick that rose and watch her as she grows in my garden," presenting the rose as a symbol of love that the singer hopes to cultivate and nurture.

Overall, "Spanish Harlem" is a song that combines themes of beauty, hope, and romance through its use of vivid imagery and a catchy melody. The rose becomes a metaphor for the beauty that grows in the most unexpected places, and the singer's admiration for it represents a desire to find and cultivate love amidst the harshness of the world.

Line by Line Meaning

There is a rose in Spanish Harlem
There is a beautiful flower in the Spanish Harlem neighborhood of New York City

A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
There is a red-colored rose growing in Spanish Harlem

It is a special one, it's never seen the sun
The rose is unique and has not been exposed to sunlight

It only comes out when the moon is on the run
The rose only blooms when the moon is shining brightly

And all the stars are gleaming
The flower blooms when the night sky is clear and the stars are shining

It's growing in the street right up through the concrete
The rose is growing in a harsh environment, pushing up through the concrete on the street

But soft and sweet and dreaming
Despite its surroundings, the rose is delicate, sweet, and filled with dreams

With eyes as black as coal that look down in my soul
The rose has dark, deep eyes that seem to see into the singer's soul

And starts a fire there and then I lose control
The rose's beauty and gaze ignite a passion within the singer, causing them to lose self-control

I have to beg your pardon
The singer apologizes for their sudden emotional outburst

I'm going to pick that rose And watch her as she grows in my garden
The singer wants to take the rose and cultivate it, watching it grow in their own garden

(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem) La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la
The chorus repeats the idea of the beautiful rose in Spanish Harlem

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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