Latin American beats had been joined with flamenco by gitanos since at least the 1950s, mixing complex strumming with rhythmic, percussive tapping on their guitars' tops. The new Reyes generation — soon to meet and join up with three guitar-playing brothers from the Baliardo family — began creating more pop-oriented songs. They played at roma parties and at street corners until they got their chance to record under the group's new name, Gipsy Kings.
Sharp-eyed individuals might have noted that all the left-handed members of the group play guitars strung upside-down; this is usually as a result of the individuals' not having their own guitars when growing-up. Borrowing and playing a right-hander's the wrong way up was the only way to learn.
Band's story
They became popular with their self-titled first album, Gipsy Kings, which included the songs "Djobi Djoba ", "Bamboleo " and the romantic ballad "Un Amor". The song "Volare" on their second album Mosaique is a rumba version of Domenico Modugno's Italian hit "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu". The Gipsy Kings were enormously popular in France and throughout Europe along with the middle east. In 1989, Gipsy Kings was released in the United States and it spent 40 weeks on the charts, one of very few Spanish language albums to do so. Their cover version of "Hotel California" is an excellent example of fast flamenco guitar leads and rhythmic strumming (this version was featured in the Coen Brothers' movie The Big Lebowski).
In 1991 the Gipsy Kings provided flamenco guitar and backing vocals on Bananarama's version of "Long Train Running", using the pseudonym "Alma de Noche" ("Soul of the Night"). Also in '91, for a multi-artist project called "Simply Mad About the Mouse" — a compilation of new versions of songs from Disney films — the Kings contributed an annaly-crafted, fast-paced rumba flamenca version of "I've Got No Strings" from "Pinocchio" - replete with feverish flamenco guitar leads and rhythmic hand-claps (palmas). The lyrics' enthusiasm for freedom, not being tied down, fit the gipsy creed perfectly.
Their 1993 album "Love and Liberte" won the Latin Grammy Award for "Best Pop Album of the Year," and contained the enduring song "Montana," an emotional account of Roma chased from their birthplace by prejudice and persecution.
The '95 compilation "The Best of the Gipsy Kings" went platinum, staying on the charts more than one year. Albums "Mosaïque," "Allegria," "Este Mundo," "Gipsy Kings Live," "Love & Liberte," "Tierra Gitana," "Cantos de Amor" and "Volare! - the Very Best of the Gipsy Kings" went gold.
Lead guitarist Tonino Baliardo — who has always written the group's instrumentals — released his first solo album, Essences, in 2001; a second self-titled one followed in 2003.
Flamenco purists criticized their use of drum kits, electronic bass, and electronic keyboards and rock and reggae beats. Defenders say they helped create a new style.
Gipsy Kings' total album sales worldwide now exceed 18 million; they toured worldwide again in 2007. They are the world's best-selling music group from France in history, according to their website, where dates and places of their current tour can be found.
Years active: from 1987 till present.
Members
Gipsy Kings are members of two related families: the Reyes and the Baliardos (Reyes means Kings in Spanish). They are cousins of the flamenco great Manitas de Plata, lead guitarist Tonino Baliardo married his granddaughter. Nicolas, Canut, Paul, Andre and Patchai Reyes are sons of flamenco singer Jose Reyes. The Gipsy Kings are:
Nicolas Reyes: lead vocals, guitar
Paul Reyes: backup vocals, guitar
Canut Reyes: backup vocals, guitar
Patchai Reyes: backup vocals, guitar
Andre Reyes: backup vocals, guitar
Diego Baliardo: guitar
Paco Baliardo: guitar
Tonino Baliardo: lead guitar
Chico Bouchikhi was also a member of the Gipsy Kings, but quit after the album Mosaique.
A Ti A Ti
Gipsy Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
De la rambla de Barcelona
Encuentre a une chiquita
Y la llevo a mi casa
Yo te quiero a ti a ti
Bem bem bem
Yo te quiero a ti a ti
Yo te quiero a ti a ti
Solamente a ti a ti
Sabe bien que yo te quiero mujer
Tu eres par mi
Tu eres par mi
En pasen por la rambla
De la rambla de Barcelona
Encuentre a une chiquita
Y la llevo a mi casa
Yo te quiero a ti a ti
Bem bem bem
Yo te quiero a ti a ti
Bem bem bem
Yo te quiero a ti a ti
Solamente a ti a ti
Sabe bien que yo te quiero mujer
Tu eres par mi
Tu eres par mi
The lyrics to Gipsy Kings' "A Ti A Ti" are about a man who meets a girl on the famous boulevard, La Rambla, in Barcelona and takes her home with him. Throughout the song, the man expresses his love for the girl, emphasizing that he loves only her and no one else. The chorus repeats this sentiment and adds a catchy "bem bem bem" refrain. The repetition of the phrase "yo te quiero" (I love you) reveals the singer's intense passion for the girl, suggesting that he is completely devoted to her. The song's simple yet melodic instrumental arrangement of guitars, rhythmic hand claps and minimal percussion further emphasizes the passionate and romantic tone of the lyrics.
Interpretations of the song may vary, as it is often set against the backdrop of Barcelona's lively and romantic atmosphere. Some may interpret the song as a playful love ballad, while others may see it as a celebration of Barcelona's vibrant culture and nightlife. The repetition of the word "rambla" throughout the song highlights its importance as a social hub and meeting place, both for locals and tourists alike.
Line by Line Meaning
En pasen por la rambla
As I walk down the streets
De la rambla de Barcelona
In the famous city of Barcelona
Encuentre a une chiquita
I come across a little girl
Why la llevo a mi casa
And I take her back to my house
Yo te quiero a ti a ti
I love only you, only you
Bem bem bem
It's so sweet, so sweet
Solamente a ti a ti
Exclusively for you, for you
Sabe bien que yo te quiero mujer
It's well known that I love you, woman
Tu eres par mi
You belong to me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sandranoemiortegadavila1037
Gracias Dios!!! Por España los gitanos y Los Gypsy Kings!! Desde Argentina todo mi amor x esta musica✌
@emmanuelH.
Saludos desde Brasil.
@navidmohammadzadeh2141
I love your song, you know it always brings me back to my childhood. It reminds me the time when we used to listen to your song while we were driving in considerably beautiful roads in my country, IRAN <3
@josemorais408
Eternos Gipsy King e suas belas e contagiantes musicas.
@claudiojuarez4242
Está música nunca pasará de moda. Excelente !!!
@josemorais408
Minha banda predileta. Simplesmente fantásticos. Ate hoje não consegui assistir a um concerto deles. Filhos de ciganos espanhois mas, nascidos no sul da França.
@user-kn9sv7my2m
Как всегда БРАВО!!!!!!!!
@aliciasubi1397
💕 Bravo 👏👏🌻 Gipsy KINGS FOREVER 💞 Nos vemos por ahí. Besos ❣️
@Pirasistem
Desde los 80 los admiro, desde Santiago - Chile.-
@marioalegiu
Amazing these guys ... Everlasting !