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.
I've Got No Strings
Gipsy Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What put the "zing" in a butterfly's wing?
What's the reason for the smile of a troubadour?
Why does a breeze have a barrel of fun?
Even the bee who's a son-of-a-gun,
It's all because they're free
And stringless, the same as me
To make me fret
Or make me frown
I had strings but now I'm free
There are no strings on me
Hi-o the merri-o
I'm as happy as can be
I want the world to know
Nothing ever worries me
I've got no strings so I have fun
I'm not tied up to anyone
How I love my liberty
There are no strings on me
I've got no strings so I have fun
I'm not tied up to anyone
How I love my liberty
There are no strings on me
The lyrics to the Gipsy Kings' song "I've Got No Strings" are a celebration of freedom and independence. The song begins with a series of questions about the natural world, asking why birds sing, why butterflies flutter, and why troubadours smile. The answer, the song suggests, is that these creatures are "free and stringless" - they are unencumbered by any obligations or constraints.
This theme is then applied to the singer himself, who declares that he has "no strings to hold me down" and that he is "not tied up to anyone." Having been liberated from the constraints that were once placed upon him, he is now able to enjoy his "liberty" and have fun.
The song's chorus, with its repeated refrain of "There are no strings on me," reinforces this sense of freedom and emphasizes the singer's joy in his newfound independence.
Overall, "I've Got No Strings" is a lighthearted celebration of the joys of liberation and independence. It suggests that the world is full of wonders and delights, and that we can only fully appreciate them when we are free to explore and enjoy them on our own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
Why does the gay little dicky bird sing?
What makes the cheerful little bird sing?
What put the "zing" in a butterfly's wing?
What causes the delightful flutter in a butterfly's wings?
What's the reason for the smile of a troubadour?
What brings joy to the face of a travelling poet and musician?
Why does a breeze have a barrel of fun?
What makes the wind enjoy itself so much?
Even the bee who's a son-of-a-gun,
Even the determined bee,
It's all because they're free
It's all because they are unburdened
And stringless, the same as me
as free from strings as I am
I've got no strings to hold me down
I have no obligations to restrict me
To make me fret
To cause me to worry
Or make me frown
Or cause me to scowl
I had strings but now I'm free
I used to be confined, but now I am liberated
There are no strings on me
I am unencumbered
Hi-o the merri-o
A cheerful exclamation
I'm as happy as can be
I am extremely content
I want the world to know
I wish for everyone to understand
Nothing ever worries me
I am never anxious
I've got no strings so I have fun
I am free to enjoy myself
I'm not tied up to anyone
I am not obligated to anyone
How I love my liberty
I treasure my freedom
There are no strings on me
I am unrestrained
I've got no strings so I have fun
I am free to enjoy myself
I'm not tied up to anyone
I am not obligated to anyone
How I love my liberty
I treasure my freedom
There are no strings on me
I am unrestrained
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LEIGH HARLINE, NED WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jo-Ryan Salazar
La bailarin siente igual
Yo siento amor para vivir
Yo estoy felis aqui a tu lado
No se tan mal vivir
Perdonare vivir sin ti
Dejamos ya
Es todo igua
Queremos aqui
No pensara
Queremos el vivir
Se de que te estoy cantando
De la vida llorara
Caminandose para ya vivir
Ser feliz, ser feliz, y a junto a ti
Para vivir yo sere feliz
Tambien, tambien seras de mi
No tenga no perdonare
Ya otra vez igual
Te buscare, el premio amor
No diga na si la verdad
No diga na sera mi amor
No diga na de mi
Se que ya vive cantando
Y tan rica la alegria
Nunca de querer
La ablamos ya
Pensara, pensara y otra mas
I've got no strings, so i am free
I'm not make up to anyone
Who i love
My liberty,
There are no strings on me
Yo se mi amor
Te buscare para bailar
Muy, muy, muy bien
Que a ti sera
La cantare
Siente igual
bailara!
chau
These images are forever imprinted in my mind from when I was just a little tot. Any still of this video would still be considered art
sydnemarc
I remember this! The animation is bad ass! I was so enchanted by it, and now I'm an animation major in art school. :)
Dwobbit Divination
I used to dance around to this song when I was little. Still love the Gipsy Kings!
Joshua Kirschenbaum
Ariel Horn me too but as a two year old this song gave me nightmares but still loved it lol
Harry Stoller
Ariel Horn
I just like them.
MARCTOWN USA
I remember I used to go to the mall just to go see this video play all the time at the electronic store and I always looked forward to seeing it. It stayed in my head that song all day!👍🎶💕
WulfwoodsSins
Oh man, I haven't seen any of this in years. Just the other day, I found my copy of the tape, but left it with my mom for DVD dubbing. It was awesome then, and still is, 18 years later.
Harry Stoller
I don’t think it was ever on DVD.
Karyn Peterson
dang it, 17 years later and i STILL can't keep up with the claps.
Michael Mattioni
14 years have passed. Have you been practicing?