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.
Amigo
Gipsy Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No llores, vete conmigo
Cuando contras mis manos
Said amor, said amor
Toda la noche te cantare
Vete conmigo amigo
Vete conmigo hermano
Vete conmigo hermano
Para cantar
Te buscare
Te cantare
Ay te dire
The lyrics of Gipsy Kings's song Amigo give a message of encouragement to a friend. The first two lines, "Cuando te veo amigo / No llores, vete conmigo" (When I see you, my friend / Don't cry, come with me), suggest that the friend is going through a difficult time and may be shedding tears. The singer urges the friend to come along with him, indicating that he or she will find solace in his company. The following line, "Cuando contras mis manos / Said amor, said amor" (When you hold my hands / Say love, say love), further emphasizes the supportive nature of the singer. The friend is not alone, as he or she can hold the singer's supportive hands and express love.
The chorus of the song, which is repeated throughout, tells the friend to go with the singer, whom he or she addresses as both amigo and hermano (friend and brother). The repetition of this directive reinforces the message that the singer is there to support his friend. The final lines of the verse, "Toda la noche te cantare" (I will sing to you all night), suggest that the singer is willing to stay up all night to provide his friend with the much-needed company and solace.
Line by Line Meaning
Cuando te veo amigo
When I see you, my friend
No llores, vete conmigo
Don't cry, come with me
Cuando contras mis manos
When you hold my hands
Said amor, said amor
My love, my love
Toda la noche te cantare
I will sing to you all night long
Vete conmigo amigo
Come with me, my friend
Vete conmigo hermano
Come with me, my brother
Vete conmigo amigo
Come with me, my friend
Vete conmigo hermano
Come with me, my brother
Para cantar
To sing
Te buscare
I will search for you
Te cantare
I will sing to you
Ay te dire
Oh, I will tell you
Lyrics © PEERMUSIC FRANCE, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANDRE REYES, FRANCOIS CANUT REYES, JACQUES PACO BALIARDO, MAURICE DIEGO BALIARDO, NICOLAS REYES, PATCHAI REYES, PAUL REYES, TONINO ANTOINE BALIARDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ahmedoudeya8128
Amigo
Gipsy King
Cuando te veo amigo
No llores, vete conmigo.
Cuando contras mis manos
Sed amor, sed amor,
Toda la noche te cantare.
Coro
Vete conmigo amigo,
Vete conmigo hermano,
Vete conmigo amigo,
Vete conmigo hermano,
Para cantar.
Te buscare,
Te cantare.
Ay te dire
@jl5528
La musique des Gipsy Kings m’apporte l’amour et le réconfort dont j’ai tant besoin pendant cette triste période de deuil de la perte récente de ma chère et douce mère.
@victoralbero5903
a mi también m da muchos recuerdos de adolescente y me a a acompañado toda mi juventud su musica,me siento identificado contigo..... ánimo y escucha música k t aydara,un abrazo
@franciliosousa7540
Aí querida ...que Deus conforte os corações.
@hugorodriguezvargas97
Una hermosa canción, un obra musical sensacional.
@amordehecho8834
MARAVILLA CANUT REYES Y TODOS LOS REYES-BALIARDO. GRANDES FOREVER!!
@luisalbertobaudino9357
Increíble tema. Increíble...uno de los mejores. Canut, un genio.
@iaraamaral2980
Perfeito 👏👏👏👏👏
@sandracarrasco3507
Me encantan❤️👏👏👏👏👏
@bellabjorkqvist7286
Bravo👏Muchas Gracias❤
@helenmejia9176
Canut,wonderful,beautiful song,beautiful voice,LOVE&BLESSINGS