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.
La Bamba
Gipsy Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Para bailar la Bamba
Para bailar la Bamba se necesita una poca de gracia
una poca de gracia y otra cosita ay arriba y arriba
ay arriba y arriba por ti sere por ti sere por ti sere
yo no soy marinero
yo no soy marinero soy capitan soy capitan soy capitan
Bamba la Bamba
Bamba la Bamba
Bamba la Bamba
Bamba la Bamba
Para subir al cielo
para subir al cielo se necesita una escalera larga
una escalera larga y otra cosita ay arriba y arriba
ay arriba y arriba contigo ire contigo ire contigo ire
yo no soy marinero
yo no soy marinero soy capitan soy capitan soy capitan
Bamba la Bamba
Bamba la Bamba
Bamba la Bamba
Bamba la Bamba
Para ser secretaria
para ser secretaria se necesita una falda muy corta
una falda muy corta pero ademas una pierna muy larga
una pierna muy larga por ti sere por ti sere por ti sere
yo no soy marinero...
para ser marinero
para ser marinero se necesita una buena chibichanga
una buena chibichanga y otra cosita tu no eres marinero
tu no eres marinero ni tu ni el, soy capitan soy capitan...
The lyrics of Gipsy Kings’ “La Bamba” are a mix of simple yet rhythmic verses that celebrate the joy of dancing to music that has the power to make you feel alive. The song starts with an invitation to dance and a reference to the importance of having a little bit of grace when performing the Bamba. The singer states that in addition to grace, you need something else to keep the energy high – something that takes you up, up and away. It is implied that the music itself is that something else.
The singer then assures the listener that they are not a sailor but rather a captain, reinforcing the theme of being in control and leading the dance. As the song progresses, the lyrics continue to reference the importance of having the right tools to achieve your dreams. To reach the sky, you need a tall ladder, and to be a secretary, you need a short skirt and long leg. Finally, the song reiterates that being a sailor means having a passion for adventure and a good sense of humor, and that being a captain is a state of mind that is available to everyone.
Overall, “La Bamba” is a song that celebrates life and encourages people to embrace the present moment and dance their hearts out. Its catchy tune has made it a party favorite for decades, and its lyrics continue to resonate with people all over the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Para bailar la Bamba
In order to dance La Bamba
Para bailar la Bamba se necesita una poca de gracia
To dance La Bamba, a little grace is required
una poca de gracia y otra cosita ay arriba y arriba
A little grace, and another something up high
ay arriba y arriba por ti sere por ti sere por ti sere
Up high, for you I'll be, for you I'll be, for you I'll be
yo no soy marinero
I am not a sailor
yo no soy marinero soy capitan soy capitan soy capitan
I'm not a sailor, I'm a captain, a captain, a captain
Bamba la Bamba
La Bamba, oh La Bamba
Para subir al cielo
In order to ascend to heaven
para subir al cielo se necesita una escalera larga
To ascend to heaven, a long ladder is required
una escalera larga y otra cosita ay arriba y arriba
A long ladder, and another something up high
ay arriba y arriba contigo ire contigo ire contigo ire
Up high, I'll go with you, with you, with you
para ser secretaria
To be a secretary
para ser secretaria se necesita una falda muy corta
To be a secretary, a very short skirt is required
una falda muy corta pero ademas una pierna muy larga
A very short skirt, but also a very long leg
una pierna muy larga por ti sere por ti sere por ti sere
A very long leg, for you I'll be, for you I'll be, for you I'll be
para ser marinero
To be a sailor
para ser marinero se necesita una buena chibichanga
To be a sailor, a good luck charm is required
una buena chibichanga y otra cosita tu no eres marinero
A good luck charm, and another thing, you're not a sailor
tu no eres marinero ni tu ni el, soy capitan soy capitan...
You're not a sailor, neither are you, I'm a captain, a captain...
Bamba la Bamba
La Bamba, oh La Bamba
Bamba la Bamba
La Bamba, oh La Bamba
Bamba la Bamba
La Bamba, oh La Bamba
Bamba la Bamba
La Bamba, oh La Bamba
Contributed by Jake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-en8kl3jh4z
Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia pa' mí pa' ti, ay arriba y arriba
Ay, arriba y arriba, por ti seré
Por ti seré, por ti seré
Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero, soy capitán
Soy capitán, soy capitán
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba
Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia pa' mí pa' ti ah y arriba y arriba
Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia pa' mí pa' ti, ay arriba y arriba
Ay, arriba y arriba, por ti seré
Por ti seré, por ti seré
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
@jayjayiron5812
I found it... I finally found it
@mademoisellel.728
JDogJ Iron same!
@jamesnderi3309
Me too!
@user-rf1jb4hn2u
The graal ?
@ToorLaram
Surely it wasn't that difficult ???
@danielcampos8986
Me searching: "aiararalababa"
@son_of_destiny
I was a kid and use to enjoy this song. These songs can never get old and I still love listening and enjoy 💕
@MrMafiaDog
They played it everywhere back then. Always busted a little dance when it came on.
@ihatemyjob9502
@Dog 80S OR 90S ????
@franciscofernandes3946
Amo muito linda canção