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Written by: Phil Spector, Jerry Leiber
Produced by: Mike Stoller, Leiber
Released: Dec. '60 on Atco
Charts: 16 weeks
Top spot: No. 10

King grew up mere blocks from the New York hood that provided this song's setting. The singer had just split from doo-wop superstars the Drifters and was eager to make an auspicious solo debut. He insisted on cutting "Spanish Harlem," a rare collaboration between Spector and Leiber, two titans of teen pop. Spector later claimed that this was Lenny Bruce's favorite song.

Appears on: The Very Best of Ben E. King (Rhino)

Next: The Locomotion

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