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.
Ciento
Gipsy Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ciento, ciente tus pasos
Ciento, ciente tu voz
Ciento, ciente tus pasos
Ciento, ciente tu voz
Las chiquitas son bonitas,
Son bonitas why bailan bien
Por el mundo se les manda why conmigo
Las chiquitas son bonitas,
Son bonitas why bailan bien
Por el mundo se les manda why conmigo
Las pasas bien
Escuchose, los cienta en el guan-guan-do
Escuchose, los cienta en el guan-guan-do
Escuchose, los cienta en el guan-guan-do
Escuchose, los cienta en el guan-guan-do
The song "Ciento" by Gipsy Kings is a lively and upbeat track with lyrics that focus on the beauty and joy of dancing. The repetition of the word "ciento" in the chorus emphasizes the idea of counting and keeping track of someone's steps and voice. It suggests a connection between the singer and the person they are referring to, as they pay close attention to their every move and sound. The lines "Las chiquitas son bonitas, son bonitas y bailan bien" translates to "The little ones are pretty, they are pretty and dance well", highlighting the admiration the singer has for those who dance beautifully.
The lyrics also mention how these dancers are sent around the world, possibly as performers or entertainers, and how they have fun with the singer. The line "Escuchose, los cienta en el guan-guan-do" is likely a reference to a traditional dance (or a specific rhythm) called "güagüanco" which originated in Cuba, indicating the Latin influence in the music of the Gipsy Kings.
Overall, "Ciento" is a celebratory song about the joy of dancing, the admiration for those who dance well, and the connection between dancers and their audience.
Line by Line Meaning
Ciento
I feel every step you take and every word you say.
Ciento, ciente tus pasos
I feel every step you take.
Ciento, ciente tu voz
I feel every word you say.
Las chiquitas son bonitas, Son bonitas why bailan bien Por el mundo se les manda why conmigo Las pasan bien
Young girls are beautiful and dance well. They are sometimes sent around the world with me, and they enjoy it.
Las chiquitas son bonitas, Son bonitas why bailan bien Por el mundo se les manda why conmigo Las pasas bien
Young girls are beautiful and dance well. They are sometimes sent around the world with me, and they enjoy it.
Escuchose, los cienta en el guan-guan-do
I hear them counting in the Guan-guan-do rhythm.
Escuchose, los cienta en el guan-guan-do
I hear them counting in the Guan-guan-do rhythm.
Escuchose, los cienta en el guan-guan-do
I hear them counting in the Guan-guan-do rhythm.
Escuchose, los cienta en el guan-guan-do
I hear them counting in the Guan-guan-do rhythm.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FRANCOIS REYES, JAHLOUL BOUCHIKHI, MAURICE BALIARDO, NICHOLAS REYES, PATCHAI REYES, PAUL REYES, TONINO BALIARDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Recep Halil Gültekin
on Un Amor
Vuoi amare Bedla