What key is "Spanish Harlem" in?

"Spanish Harlem" by Aretha Franklin is in the key of A with a tempo of 116 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Spanish Harlem" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "Spanish Harlem" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Spanish Harlem"?

This arrangement of "Spanish Harlem" uses 5 chords: A, C, D, E7, G.

How long does it take to learn "Spanish Harlem" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by Aretha Franklin can I play here?

Try "AIN'T NO WAY", "A Natural Woman", "FREEWAY OF LOVE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

La la la la la la la la la la.

There There’s a rose in (D)Black and Span ish Har lem,

(D)a (A)rose (D)in (A)Black (D)and (A)Span (D)ish Har lem.

It is the spe cial one, it nev er sees the sun, it on ly comes up when the moon is on the run and all na the stars are gleam ing.

don.

It’s grow ing in the street, right up through the con crete,

but soft,

sweet and (D)dream y.

There There’s a is in (D)rose in Span ish Har lem,

(D)a (A)rose (D)in (A)Black (D)and (A)Span (D)ish Har lem,

with eyes as black as coal that look down in his soul, it starts a fi re there and then he los es con I’m gon na beg his are par ing.

don.

He’s goin’ to pick that rose and watch her as she grows

in his

sweet and (D)dream y.

(D)gar den.

(D)There (A)is (D)a (A)rose (D)in (A)Span (D)ish Har lem,

(D)a (A)rose (D)in (A)Black (D)and (A)Span (D)ish Har lem,

with eyes as black as coal that look down in his soul and start a fi re there and then he los es con trol.

And I

want to beg his par don.

He’s go ing to pick that rose

and watch her as she grows

in his (A)gar

(D)den.

(A)La la la (A)la la (A)la (D)la la (A)la (D)la.

(A)La la (A)la la (A)la (D)la la (A)la (D)la.

Spanish Harlem by Aretha Franklin

1 person has learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of A at 116 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Spanish Harlem”

What key is "Spanish Harlem" in?: "Spanish Harlem" by Aretha Franklin is in the key of A with a tempo of 116 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Spanish Harlem" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Spanish Harlem" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Spanish Harlem"?: This arrangement of "Spanish Harlem" uses 5 chords: A, C, D, E7, G.
How long does it take to learn "Spanish Harlem" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Aretha Franklin can I play here?: Try "AIN'T NO WAY", "A Natural Woman", "FREEWAY OF LOVE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.