Spanish Harlem Incident

"Spanish Harlem Incident"
Song by Bob Dylan
from the album Another Side of Bob Dylan
ReleasedAugust 8, 1964 (1964-08-08)
RecordedJune 9, 1964
Length2:23
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Bob Dylan
Producer(s)Tom Wilson

"Spanish Harlem Incident" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan which was released on his album, Another Side of Bob Dylan, on August 8, 1964.[1] The song has been described as "a gorgeous vignette" by critics and been praised for its multilayered, poetic dimensions.[2][3]

When Dylan himself has been questioned about the song's subject matter he has confessed that he has no idea.[4] However, author Paul Williams describes the song as a portrait of a gypsy girl that Dylan has seen only fleetingly but who has completely captivated him.[2] Williams goes on to say that within the context of the song, Dylan is falling in love with not only the gypsy girl but also with the whole idea of gypsies and of himself in love with one.[2] The song takes its name from the Spanish Harlem neighborhood of New York City.

  1. ^ Trager, Oliver. (2004). Keys to the Rain: The Definitive Bob Dylan Encyclopedia. Billboard Books. ISBN 0-8230-7974-0.
  2. ^ a b c Williams, Paul. (1990). Performing Artist: Book One 1960 – 1973. Xanadu Publications Ltd. p. 114. ISBN 1-85480-044-2.
  3. ^ Grey, Michael. (2000). Song & Dance Man III: The Art of Bob Dylan. Continuum International Publishing Group. ISBN 0-304-70762-7.
  4. ^ "Spanish harlem Incident review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-03-01.