Spector wrote this with Jerry Leiber and recorded it as a demo. I’m not sure what year. It was eventually released in 2006 on The Phil Spector Collectionalbum.
The song was released by Ben E King in 1960 and was his first solo hit after leaving The Drifters. It reached No 10 in America and is ranked #358 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It’s good but I like the Spector one better.
If you want to hear a great song murdered, try this version by the Mamas and Papas (dreadful name, dreadful group) on their 1966 album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears. What a shocker.
You make me remember the songs of my youth – Ben E. King’s Spanish Harlem was a huge favorite. Thank you for the memory.
On the other hand, beloved friend, you and I may have to ‘go round’ on the Mamas and the Papas. Bring pillow…