# Spanish Rose

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**"Spanish Rose"** is a song written by [Van Morrison](/source/Van_Morrison) that was written and recorded for [Bang Records](/source/Bang_Records) owner and producer [Bert Berns](/source/Bert_Berns) and released on his 1967 album *[Blowin' Your Mind!](/source/Blowin'_Your_Mind!)* and several subsequent [compilation albums](/source/Compilation_album). It was also released as one of the follow-up singles to "[Brown Eyed Girl](/source/Brown_Eyed_Girl)" and reached #18 in the Netherlands.

## Writing and recording

"Spanish Rose" was written and recorded for [Bang Records](/source/Bang_Records) owner and producer [Bert Berns](/source/Bert_Berns) on 29 March 1967.[1][2][3] Morrison and Berns clashed during these sessions as Berns wanted Morrison to record more commercial music resembling [Brill Building](/source/Brill_Building) hits like "Spanish Rose" while Morrison wanted to record more challenging music like "[T.B. Sheets](/source/T.B._Sheets)."[3]

## Music and lyrics

Several commentators have described the song as having a Spanish or [Latin music](/source/Latin_music) feel.[2][3][4] More specifically, music critic [Johnny Rogan](/source/Johnny_Rogan) describes it as having a [flamenco](/source/Flamenco) style.[5] The song incorporates [Spanish guitar](/source/Flamenco_guitar), [marimbas](/source/Marimba) and a "two-step Latin rhythm." [Allmusic](/source/Allmusic) critic Matthew Greenwald notes similarities to "Brown Eyed Girl" in that "Spanish Rose" also uses a three chord melody and lyrics that present a "remembrance of romance past, including names, times, and locations."[2] Morrison biographer Peter Mills sees a resemblance to [Ben E. King](/source/Ben_E._King)'s hit single written by Brill Building composer [Jerry Leiber](/source/Jerry_Leiber) and [Phil Spector](/source/Phil_Spector), "[Spanish Harlem](/source/Spanish_Harlem_(song))."[3]

## Reception

Greenwald assessed "Spanish Rose" as being possibly Morrison's last safe, commercial [AM radio](/source/AM_radio)-style song before moving on to the more [FM radio](/source/FM_radio)-oriented material that he became known for.[2] *[Record World](/source/Record_World)* called it "great stuff."[6] *Rolling Stone Album Guide* contributor Paul Evans stated that while "Spanish Rose" is not as memorable as "Brown Eyed Girl," it has a "catchy perfection that most bands never achieve."[7] In his review of *Blowin' Your Mind!* in 1995, *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)* critic Bob Cannon stated that "Spanish Rose" had "held up better than the album’s tie-dyed title."[8] On the other hand, Morrison biographer Erik Hage regarded the song as being "downright poor."[4]

"Spanish Rose" was re-released as a single in 1971 and reached #18 on the charts in the Netherlands.[9] It has also been re-released on several Morrison compilation albums, including *[The Essential Van Morrison](/source/The_Essential_Van_Morrison)* in 2015 as well as many compilations covering the Bang Records sessions.[2][10]

## References

1. Heylin, Clinton (2004). *Can You Feel the Silence?*. Chicago Review Press. p. 154. ISBN 978-1556525421.

1. Greenwald, Matthew. ["Spanish Rose"](https://www.allmusic.com/song/spanish-rose-mt0006413046). Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-08-12.

1. Mills, Peter (2010). *Hymns to the Silence: Inside the Words and Music of Van Morrison*. Continuum. pp. 90–93. ISBN 978-0826429766.

1. Hage, Erik (2009). *The Words and Music of Van Morrison*. Praeger. p. 33. ISBN 978-0313358623.

1. Rogan, Johnny (2006). *Van Morrison: No Surrender*. Random House. p. 204. ISBN 978-0099431831.

1. ["Single Product"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/71/RW-1971-04-24.pdf). *Record World*. April 24, 1971. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-04-22.

1. Evans, Paul (1992). *Rolling Stone Album Guide*. 3rd, abridged ed. DeCurtis, Anthony & Henke, James (eds.). Straight Arrow. p. 197. ISBN 0679737294.

1. Cannon, Bob (February 10, 1995). ["Blowin' Your Mind"](https://ew.com/article/1995/02/10/blowin-your-mind/). Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2020-08-12.

1. ["Van Morrison - Spanish Rose"](https://hitparade.ch/song/Van-Morrison/Spanish-Rose-119497). hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2020-08-12.

1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. ["The Essential Van Morrison"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-essential-van-morrison-mw0002875532). Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-08-12.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Spanish Rose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Rose) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Rose?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.