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 Rumba De Nicolas
Gipsy Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
En este mundo muy bueno
Queremos que la gente se levanta para bailar
Cuando nosotros cantemos
En este mundo muy bueno
Queremos que la gente se levanta para bailar
Bamboleo djoba
A si se canta la rumba de Nicolas
Bamboleo djobi
Bamboleo djoba
A si se canta la rumba de Nicolas
De Nicolas
Si, si
De Nicolas
The lyrics to Gipsy Kings's song "La Rumba de Nicolas" are upbeat and inviting, encouraging listeners to dance along to the infectious rhythm. The first verse declares that when the band sings in this "very good world," they want people to get up and dance. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which repeatedly punctuates the desire to move and groove. The chorus features the repetition of the nonsensical phrases "Bamboleo djobi/Bamboleo djoba," which adds to the lively energy of the track. The last line of the chorus, "A si se canta la rumba de Nicolas," announces the title of the song and confirms that this is a celebration of rhythm and movement.
Overall, "La Rumba de Nicolas" is a joyful anthem of dance and music that invites listeners to let loose and enjoy themselves. It embodies the spirit of the Gipsy Kings, who have created a signature sound blending traditional Spanish and flamenco styles with pop and world music influences. The song's emphasis on dancing is a hallmark of the group's music and reflects their belief in the transformative power of music to bring people together and uplift their spirits.
Line by Line Meaning
Cuando nosotros cantemos
As we begin to sing
En este mundo muy bueno
In this very good world
Queremos que la gente se levanta para bailar
We want people to rise up and dance
Bamboleo djobi
Swing, djobi
Bamboleo djoba
Swing, djoba
A si se canta la rumba de Nicolas
This is how Nicolas's rumba is sung
De Nicolas
Of Nicolas
Si, si
Yes, yes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANCOIS REYES, GEORGES REYES, JACQUES BALIARDO, MAURICE BALIARDO, NICOLAS REYES, PATCHAI REYES, PAUL REYES, TONINO BALIARDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CMTAKOS RADIO MUZYKA PODCAST
Cuando nosotros cantemos
En este mundo muy bueno
Queremos que la gente se levanta para bailar
Cuando nosotros cantemos
En este mundo muy bueno
Queremos que la gente se levanta para bailar
Bamboleo djobi
Bamboleo djoba
A si se canta la rumba de Nicolas
Bamboleo djobi
Bamboleo djoba
A si se canta la rumba de Nicolas
De Nicolas
Si, si
De Nicolas
CMTAKOS RADIO MUZYKA PODCAST
Cuando nosotros cantemos
En este mundo muy bueno
Queremos que la gente se levanta para bailar
Cuando nosotros cantemos
En este mundo muy bueno
Queremos que la gente se levanta para bailar
Bamboleo djobi
Bamboleo djoba
A si se canta la rumba de Nicolas
Bamboleo djobi
Bamboleo djoba
A si se canta la rumba de Nicolas
De Nicolas
Si, si
De Nicolas
Ana G. A
Maravilhosos!
Rellysandro Silva De Melo
ritmo contagiante faz qualquer um mexer o esqueleto
Renato Paulo Oliveira
Ouvi muito esse som há uns 8 anos atras numa temporada de resgate à minha famili... Eu jovenzao em prol de uma causa nobre.
Nico Aloia
Gipsy Kings = Magia en el aire.
Parvin Amini
Love it🎼🎶🎸♥🌹
Amaro Paulo
Explore coração ❤❤ saudades
Valdessia Lins
Rumba de Nicolas.Sou muito apaixonada por esse tal de Nicolas. rsrsrs
Jose antonio Cantero marin
Heavy metal...!!!!!
Y los gypsy kings !!!!
Espíritu catalán..
Ergo Ergo
👑 gipsy kings 😍 🎸