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 tounga
Gipsy Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baila tu y cantaras
Baila tu y bailaras
Baila tu y cantara aaaas.
Este rythmo que tu quieres hoy bailar.
Bailame la tounga, tounga
Baila tu y bailaras
Bailara tu y cantaras
Baila tu y bailaras
Baila tu y cantaraaaaas.
Este rythmo que tu quieres hoy bailar.
Bailame la tounga, tounga
Bailame la tounga tounga, bailame.
The Gipsy Kings' "La tounga" is an upbeat, lively song that invites listeners to dance and sing along. The lyrics encourage the listener to dance and sing, promising that they will enjoy themselves if they do so. The repetition of "Baila tu y bailaras, baila tu y cantaras" underscores this invitation to dance and sing, emphasizing the importance of letting loose and having fun.
The chorus, "Bailame la tounga, tounga, bailame la tounga tounga, bailame," seems to be a call to action, urging the listener to dance the "tounga" with the singer. The "tounga" itself is not a well-known dance, but it could be a regional or cultural dance that the Gipsy Kings are referencing. Regardless, the refrain encourages participation and engagement with the music.
Beyond the specific lyrics, "La tounga" overall is a celebration of dance and music as a means of joy and release. The high-energy instrumentation, featuring a mix of Spanish guitar, hand percussion, and layered vocals, further emphasizes this message. Overall, the song encourages listeners to let go of their inhibitions and enjoy themselves through dance and music.
Line by Line Meaning
Baila tu y bailaras
Dance now and you will continue to dance as long as you want.
Baila tu y cantaras
Dance now and you will also sing, expressing joy and happiness.
Baila tu y bailaras
Once you start dancing, you won't be able to stop, and you'll want to continue enjoying the rhythm.
Baila tu y cantara aaaas.
Dance now and you will sing loudly, expressing your excitement.
Este rythmo que tu quieres hoy bailar.
This rhythm you want to dance today is one that fills you with joy and energy.
Bailame la tounga, tounga
Let me dance the tounga, a lively and enjoyable rhythm.
Bailame la tounga tounga, bailame.
Dance with me, moving to the rhythm of the tounga, experiencing the joy it brings.
Lyrics © PEERMUSIC FRANCE, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JACQUES PACO BALIARDO, MAURICE DIEGO BALIARDO, TONINO ANTOINE BALIARDO, ANDRE REYES, FRANCOIS CANUT REYES, NICOLAS REYES, PATCHAI REYES, PAUL REYES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Recep Halil Gültekin
on Un Amor
Vuoi amare Bedla