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.
Papa No Pega la Mama
Gipsy Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
papa papa no la pegues a la mama
Papa papa no la pegues a la mama
Papa papa no la pegues a la mama
Ay, papa no la pegues a la mama
Por culpa de una gallina
Ay papa mio, no la pegues a la mama
papa papa no la pegues a la mama
Papa papa no la pegues a la mama
Papa papa no la pegues a la mama
*Papa ese me la decisian
Que no me voy de la casa
Porque ya ha vuelto a amar
Porque ya ha vuelto a amar
Porque la vas a matar
*(repeat)
no la pegues a la mama
Que la vas a matar
***********translated text**************
Dad, don't hit mom
Dad, don't hit mom
Dad, don't hit mom
Ay, dad, don't hit mom
For the blame of a hen
Ay, my dad, don't hit mom
Dad, don't hit mom
Dad, don't hit mom
Dad, don't hit mom
*Dad, that is my decision
That I am not leaving home
Because love has returned
Because love has returned
Because you are going to kill her
*(repeat)
Don't hit mom
You are going to kill her
The song "Papa No Pega La Mama" by Gipsy Kings is a plea that is made by a child to their father, asking him not to hit their mother. The lyrics of the song are simple, but the message behind it is immensely powerful. It conveys the negative impact that domestic violence can have on a family, and the plea for the father to stop this behavior. The child is asking the father not to hit the mother, because of the harm it can cause not only to the mother, but also to the children.
The song opens with a series of repeated lines where the child is requesting the father to stop hitting the mother. The song's lyrics are centered around the blame being put on a hen, which can be seen as a metaphor for the things that lead to domestic violence. The song then progresses into the child's decision to remain in the household and asking the father not to kill the mother. The plea to not hit the mother is repeated throughout the song as the lone vocal line, serving as a reminder of how important it is to put an end to such violent behavior.
The song's message has resonated with many families across different geographical locations and cultures. The song is a tribute to the love and respect that should be shared in a family, and the significance of representing a united front against domestic violence. The song emphasizes the importance of having a supportive environment, where every member of the family is cared for and safe from physical or emotional harm.
Line by Line Meaning
papa papa no la pegues a la mama
Dad, don't hit mom
Ay, papa no la pegues a la mama
Oh, dad, don't hit mom
Por culpa de una gallina
Because of a hen
Ay papa mio, no la pegues a la mama
Oh my dad, don't hit mom
*Papa ese me la decisian
Dad, that's my decision
Que no me voy de la casa
That I'm not leaving home
Porque ya ha vuelto a amar
Because love has returned
Porque ya ha vuelto a amar
Because love has returned
Porque la vas a matar
Because you are going to kill her
no la pegues a la mama
Don't hit mom
Que la vas a matar
You are going to kill her
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Recep Halil Gültekin
on Un Amor
Vuoi amare Bedla