Ah! This song taught me the beauty of melancholy when I first heard it on the family radio aged about 4. It used to be played a lot on a programme called "family Favourites" and in its melody I sensed an eternal quality, a pleasurable sadness that told of love and loss, which has stayed with me all my life.
R.I.P. Phil Spector,one of the greatest record producers of all time.Also,he was in the Teddy Bears,who had a #1 in 1958 with To Know Him is to Love him,written by him-[that is written on his dad's tombstone stone.]Phil co-wrote this-one of my favorite songs.
From the first time I heard this song as a child, it has evoked the image of the human spirit triumphing over adversity. It brought to mind the squalor and deprivation of the American inner city and at the same time, the rose blooming there, despite it all.
I'm out of elgin,tx and just heard this track. I enjoy reading the comments on how it reminds them of the moment when they would hear this tune. relaxing track, will never get old in my book
Sept.28th: Happy birthday Soul singer Benjamin Earl King / Ben E. King (1938-2015) Grammy Hall of Fame, Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award, star: Hollywood Walk of Fame. Thank you and God bless. RIP Legend. Thanks for the upload, Jam on....NGO...Never Gets Old. Blessings
Maybe you had had me I don't think you knew them all at 17 but if you did know them all they wouldn't matter anymore because all the answers have changed
Hey Ted ! I was 15 y/o, & I KNEW all the answers ------------well-------it seemed that way to me at the time. -----------------------------WolfSky9, 74 y/o
This dazzling production is the original on this song and was not the work of Phil Spector. This top 10 hit for Ben E. King was produced by JERRY LEIBER & MIKE STOLLER, one of the most eminent and successful teams in the business, and predates the "wall of sound." The song was written by JERRY LEIBER (lyrics) & Phil Spector, who was then signed to Leiber & Stoller's publishing company. A standard, the song has been covered by scores of artists, including Aretha Franklin.
@@G8GT364CI . . This is the classic example of "original is best". AF's version was so bad that it turned me off ever wanting to hear any of her songs again. Same as when Chuck Berry released My Ding-a-ling. I threw out my Chuck Berry Records after I heard that song on the radio. ☹
@@arthurblackhistoric Well, My Ding-a-ling did suck, but Chuck needed the hit I would guess. My guess is with Aretha, she or her producer(s) knew she would never top this so they went in a different direction and in my opinion ruined it.
Perhaps one of the All time most beautiful songs ever recorded- I love the accentuated " hum" of the background singers just before clarinet solo- or is it a sax? Pure genius adding the vibraphones and strings-
I love the voices at the fade out...There is a rose in Spanish Harlem...it made feel so special to grow up there. Seeing everyone on the stoop and chilling on summer evenings with a transistor radio or listening to this from someone's car.
I always thought this was a Leiber / Stoller production, & it clearly pre-dates the Wall Of Sound . --------------I own this 45, purchased in the late Fall of '61, when i was a sophomore in HS. Plus, I remember hearing The Drifters Group at that time, did backing vocals. ------We may never know, but was this a Spector production ? I don't believe it was.-------WolfSky9, 74 y/o
At 0:23. His breath control amazing, ❤❤❤. Can't imagine talking that longer without taking a breath, let alone singing. I don't sing so maybe wrong about that but seems pretty impressive.
Phil Spector is & was a master mind in the Music world, however he was not known for sharing the Royalties with the voices that sang the tunes. Strange that he lost his voice before he died, the main thing that gave his music light. R.I.P Phil
Of course Johnnie is still alive !!! That's because THERE IS NO DEATH . Family is forever , we will be with that kid and everybody else forever ! Heavenly Father knew things like this would happen and has all good things already set in place to reuinite families FOREVER .
One hears the power of Bennies in his song " Oh My Love". If you haven't heard it, then you are missing out. Like it, or I will give you your money back. RIP Ben E. King
anyone know who was the sax player on this recording? all the touches on this version... ben's voice, the background singers, the orchestra, and that sax solo... make it THEE best version of this song ever.
I find it interesting that Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller aren't anywhere in this video nor given credit for this song. Phil Spector wrote the lyrics with Jerry, but that's it. Leiber and Stoller were amazing writers/producers.
Ben e king has recorded quite a few of my favourite songs his other great song stand by me has reputedly sold the most records in this genre,I know this is always open to debate I'm only quoting a channel 4 documentary of which artiste sold the most records
Why is there only one photo of Ben E King, and that one only appears for a few seconds at 2:20? You do know that it wasn't Spector who sang the song, right? Why glorify a convicted killer at the expense of an artist?
While I enjoy listening to this wonderful song and thank you for uploading it, I am bothered by so many using this following expression to describe songs done by the original artiste. "It is the original version". This is the original, that's it and as such can't be a version.
Ben E King, with, or without the drifters, .. one of the greatest singers of all time.
True
Yes.
Should have pictures of Ben E. King. His singing made this song famous worldwide.
This song means so much too me. My late mother was that beautiful red rose in Spanish Harlem. I love and miss you mommy.🌹🌹🌹♥️♥️♥️💯
THIS is my favorite song! 52 years and it still makes me sit down and take it in. Beautiful!
.
Yaas! 😊
RIP Ben, one of the most velvet smooth voices i used to listen to with my grandpa. Thank you for your music.
🙏🏽
Everything about this version of "Spanish Harlem" rings true. Great song. God bless.
Rest In Peace Mr King Thank You for your music. As my parents shared it with me, I share with my children...
Ah! This song taught me the beauty of melancholy when I first heard it on the family radio aged about 4. It used to be played a lot on a programme called "family Favourites" and in its melody I sensed an eternal quality, a pleasurable sadness that told of love and loss, which has stayed with me all my life.
WOW, FREEFALL, at 4 years old, youse was a very EXTRAORDINARY child, to have a mind such as YARN!!!!
Great comment freefall. I feel the same re this song, so much soul
I've loved this song since the first time i heard it
R.I.P. Phil Spector,one of the greatest record producers of all time.Also,he was in the Teddy Bears,who had a #1 in 1958 with To Know Him is to Love him,written by him-[that is written on his dad's tombstone stone.]Phil co-wrote this-one of my favorite songs.
Phil also played all of the instruments on the teddy bears song
A troubled man; too bad no one got him help . . . . His talent was undeniable and so were his flaws. Possibly true of all of us . . . .
Phil and Ben E. King are fantastic...Probabley never to be beat or repeated// Such Great Artist In The Music World...
Only 9 years old when this song was released but i always loved it i am now 65 and still love it especially by Ben E King what a silky voice.
Adios,Ben.We grew up to all of this great music.Spanish Harlem is my favorite song by him.
Loved this one when I was a kid. I just never knew this artiest name. I was 3 years old when it came out.
My Dad's love song to my Mom & this was song was played for them at the cemetery after doves were released. Told my Dad I brought her back to you
Absolutely beautiful song, the oldies are the besties. 🤗.
From the first time I heard this song as a child, it has evoked the image of the human spirit triumphing over adversity. It brought to mind the squalor and deprivation of the American inner city and at the same time, the rose blooming there, despite it all.
you put it exactly right and that is exactly why i love the song--kenny rankin's v
Now I have to find I Who have Nothing to refresh my ancient memory 😆love Ben E King ❣
I believe that rose was Veronica Bennett. I thought that the first time I heard Phil sing this.
This is one of the best ----- I'm so pleased to be able to hear it again!!!!
I seen and heard Ben E. King back in the days of Murray The K shows over at the Brooklyn Fox sing this song a few times.
Extremely sensual. Also the the sax solo and the violins are fabulous
My all time favorite recording, and I've heard a bunch of them in my 73 years.
LOVE me some Ben E. King 👏🏻🥰‼️
Omg I love this since it first came out in the '60's. Ben E King is classic platinum ❣
Spectacular!!!
The stellar vibraphone arrangement and performance made this top hit.
The best version in music history.
It's absolutely beautiful❤!
🎉simply magnificent!
RIP BenEKing will still have your wonderful music to remember you by
I'm out of elgin,tx and just heard this track. I enjoy reading the comments on how it reminds them of the moment when they would hear this tune. relaxing track, will never get old in my book
Sept.28th: Happy birthday Soul singer Benjamin Earl King / Ben E. King (1938-2015) Grammy Hall of Fame, Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award, star: Hollywood Walk of Fame. Thank you and God bless. RIP Legend. Thanks for the upload, Jam on....NGO...Never Gets Old. Blessings
"Spanish Harlem" was produced by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, not Phil Spector. Phil wrote the melody and Leiber wrote the words.
Leiber and Spector co-wrote it.
Going through high school with music like this was a blessing, Ben E. King you will live forever with your beautiful songs, God bless!
This came out when I was 17, back when I thought I knew all the answers!
Ted
ted12345ish Wow, that would make you 72 years of age !
Ted, you and me both. But it was a pretty good time to be a teenager, though! Pre-Viet Nam:(
Hi Al, We used to go to local clubs in Liverpool where the Beatles & the Searchers played before they became famous! Pete Best was the drummer then!
Maybe you had had me I don't think you knew them all at 17 but if you did know them all they wouldn't matter anymore because all the answers have changed
Hey Ted ! I was 15 y/o, & I KNEW all the answers ------------well-------it seemed that way to me at the time. -----------------------------WolfSky9, 74 y/o
This dazzling production is the original on this song and was not the work of Phil Spector. This top 10 hit for Ben E. King was produced by JERRY LEIBER & MIKE STOLLER, one of the most eminent and successful teams in the business, and predates the "wall of sound." The song was written by JERRY LEIBER (lyrics) & Phil Spector, who was then signed to Leiber & Stoller's publishing company. A standard, the song has been covered by scores of artists, including Aretha Franklin.
thank you
And didn't she murder it completely!!
@@arthurblackhistoric This version is WAY better.
@@G8GT364CI . . This is the classic example of "original is best". AF's version was so bad that it turned me off ever wanting to hear any of her songs again. Same as when Chuck Berry released My Ding-a-ling. I threw out my Chuck Berry Records after I heard that song on the radio. ☹
@@arthurblackhistoric Well, My Ding-a-ling did suck, but Chuck needed the hit I would guess. My guess is with Aretha, she or her producer(s) knew she would never top this so they went in a different direction and in my opinion ruined it.
Sept.28: Happy birthday Ben E. King (1938-2015) Thank you and God bless. RIP, Singer. Thanks for the upload. Blessings
The song that NEVER get old.
😷 love this song. Thanks for share 3 likes from Italy.
The genius of Ben E King.
RIP Ben E King, your music will always live with me.
He can't hear you you moron.
Mothers Day...this was my mum's favourite .
.xxx
My song love it!
Rest in Peace Ben E King and Phil Spector and Ronnie Spector
*Number 358*
on Rolling Stone Magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list
Great singer great song. Written by sedaka
a beautiful song. R.I.P. Ben
Χριστέ μου, τι τραγούδι! Τι ομορφιά και μελωδία! Μα και τι στίχος! Ας μπορούσα να το χορέψω κάτω από το φως του φεγγαριού!
Perhaps one of the All time most beautiful songs ever recorded- I love the accentuated " hum" of the background singers just before clarinet solo- or is it a sax? Pure genius adding the vibraphones and strings-
The strings were an integral part of virtually everything I've heard that was produced by Phil Spector. They were the key to his "signature sound".
Darrell Knox it was called 'wall of sound'
I used to think it was a clarinet myself, but it's an alto sax... My wife loves to love to play this solo on it.
I love the voices at the fade out...There is a rose in Spanish Harlem...it made feel so special to grow up there. Seeing everyone on the stoop and chilling on summer evenings with a transistor radio or listening to this from someone's car.
Alto sax -got to be. Definitely not a clarinet.
Amazing voice. One of a kind.
Rest In Paradise, Ben E. King.
Terrific song and video, I like the girls with the big hair, I wonder what the style was called
What a great tune :) thanks for sharing
I always thought this was a Leiber / Stoller production, & it clearly pre-dates the Wall Of Sound . --------------I own this 45, purchased in the late Fall of '61, when i was a sophomore in HS. Plus, I remember hearing The Drifters Group at that time, did backing vocals. ------We may never know, but was this a Spector production ? I don't believe it was.-------WolfSky9, 74 y/o
beautiful
Happy birthday to Ben E King 👑 rest in peace ✌️ his birth verse is Hebrews 9:28 Blessings and hugs!
George Martin, Phil Spector - perhaps the two greatest ever music producers.
At 0:23. His breath control amazing, ❤❤❤. Can't imagine talking that longer without taking a breath, let alone singing. I don't sing so maybe wrong about that but seems pretty impressive.
Love this song ,tks
Phil Spector is & was a master mind in the Music world, however he was not known for sharing the Royalties with the voices that sang the tunes. Strange that he lost his voice before he died, the main thing that gave his music light. R.I.P Phil
Great song
Beautiful song.
Beautiful
My god it reminds when I was a small child in the early 60s
RIP & thanks for your voice it will go on forever..
Of course Johnnie is still alive !!! That's because THERE IS NO DEATH .
Family is forever , we will be with that kid and everybody else forever ! Heavenly Father knew things like this would happen and has all good things already set in place to reuinite families FOREVER .
SPECTOR AT HIS VERY BEST WITH THE MAGICAL VOICE OF BEN E KING TOTAL CLASS
Spector had less to do with this than you think.
Great song , real talent
Thanks, that's fantastic.
Great to hear the demo, but please, it is just that, a demo, the recording by King, is the BEST By FAR!!!
Still love this in 2020.
Spector's genius is flowing through King's voice.
Real talk as this was issued as a 45 rpm with "Stand By Me" on the flip side. Baddest-@ss dusty ever cut.
B-side of "Stand By Me" was "On the Horizon."
Very delightful to listen old music, the old school style.
Great song reminds me of my grandma
one of the great songs to slow dance to.
One hears the power of Bennies in his song " Oh My Love". If you haven't heard it, then you are missing out. Like it, or I will give you your money back. RIP Ben E. King
Great Song.
Bee F inn eautiful!!!!!! Absolute American classic!
Wowwww 💖
anyone know who was the sax player on this recording?
all the touches on this version... ben's voice, the background singers, the orchestra, and that sax solo... make it THEE best version of this song ever.
This song was a few years before Phil Spector created the Wall Of Sound.
I find it interesting that Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller aren't anywhere in this video nor given credit for this song. Phil Spector wrote the lyrics with Jerry, but that's it. Leiber and Stoller were amazing writers/producers.
Even the introduction wasn't his.
I think I see members of the Wrecking Crew" in the background at 0:36, ! Phil's Wall Of Sound.
Love it !
Phil Spector was a genius. He didn't get enough credit or love even to this day.
Received wisdom.
Phil had very little to do with this
There's plenty of people who know what Spector did for music *. . .*
Rest in Peace, Ben E King!
Ben e king has recorded quite a few of my favourite songs his other great song stand by me has reputedly sold the most records in this genre,I know this is always open to debate I'm only quoting a channel 4 documentary of which artiste sold the most records
Why is there only one photo of Ben E King, and that one only appears for a few seconds at 2:20?
You do know that it wasn't Spector who sang the song, right? Why glorify a convicted killer at the expense of an artist?
oldies rock & roll forever
la PERFECTION!
While I enjoy listening to this wonderful song and thank you for uploading it, I am bothered by so many using this following expression to describe songs done by the original artiste. "It is the original version". This is the original, that's it and as such can't be a version.
John and Yoko pictured here when the music fades.
Spector himself has an acoustic version of this
on youtube....brilliant!
recorded well after this.
It's my favourite version
@@jeffwilliams196 Hi Jeff, any other details on Phil's version?
Leiber and Stoller production. Phil wrote the melody. This is not the wall of sound.
he might have been a genius but Phil's insanity was the greatest part of him'
Amazing(:
Firme rolita
grazie. grazie mille
RIP Mr King
The pics don't match the song. They largely potray Phil producing the Ronettes, and not the Ben E. King number.
Without Jews and black people how poor we would have been in our culture . A thousand thanks.
🤣
Jerry Leiber wrote the words to this song.
Mike Stoller added the vibraphone.