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.
Petite Noya
Gipsy Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Noya meue Noya meue vene vene capa aqui
Noya meue Noya meue notam aqui mes aqui
Noya meue Noya meue vene vene capa aqui
Vene aqui mu Noya mu Noya vene aqui
Quede aqui mu Noya mu Noya quede aqui
Vene aqui mu Noya mu Noya vene aqui
San va parki, san va paria
Ro ven parki, ro ven paria
San va parki, san va parki,
San va paria, san va paria
Ro ven parki, ro ven parki
Ma fas consumi
The lyrics of Gipsy Kings’ “Petite Noya” are in the Romani language and are often difficult for non-speakers to interpret. The song tells a story of a woman named Noya who is beloved by the singer. The repeated chorus of “Noya meue Noya meue” roughly translates to “my darling Noya.” The verses are a bit more cryptic, but seem to speak of Noya’s arrival or presence, and the emotions that follow.
The song is a beautiful example of flamenco-style guitar and vocal harmonies. The repetitive nature of the chorus adds to the haunting quality of the melody. The Romani language is a key part of the song’s mystique; it’s a language often associated with travelers and outsiders, which matches the image of the Gipsy Kings themselves.
It’s also possible that the lyrics are meant to be interpreted in a more metaphorical sense. The idea of a wandering lover and the emotional ups and downs that come with that could be seen as a universal experience that transcends language and culture. Whatever the interpretation, “Petite Noya” is a captivating and emotional piece of music that showcases the Gipsy Kings’ talent for evocative melodies and masterful guitar work.
Line by Line Meaning
Noya meue Noya meue notam baguis mes aqui
The singer is calling for Noya, followed by a repetition of the request with emphasis on the importance of presence.
Noya meue Noya meue vene vene capa aqui
Noya is once again called for with a sense of urgency emphasized by the repetition of the request and the use of 'vene vene' which suggests a quick approach.
Noya meue Noya meue notam aqui mes aqui
The singer is once again calling for Noya, emphasizing the need for them to be present in this specific location.
Noya meue Noya meue vene vene capa aqui
The artist repeats their call for Noya, once again emphasizing the urgency and quick response required.
Vene aqui mu Noya mu Noya vene aqui
The artist is calling for Noya to come to them using 'mu' which means 'my' or 'mine', implying a personal relationship.
Quede aqui mu Noya mu Noya quede aqui
The singer is asking Noya to stay with them or to join them in staying in the current location, using 'quede' which means 'stay'.
Vene aqui mu Noya mu Noya vene aqui
The singer repeats their call for Noya to come to them once again.
Quede aqui mu Noya mu Noya quede aqui
The artist once again asks Noya to stay with them or join them in staying in the current location.
San va parki, san va paria
These lines seem to be a variation on the traditional Romanichal Gypsy greeting 'Sasva phiri, sasva manghe' which means 'Hello, friend, hello mate.'
Ro ven parki, ro ven paria
This line may be interpreted as an invitation for someone to come and join a group or a statement that others are present.
San va parki, san va parki,
This line may be another variation on the traditional Romanichal Gypsy greeting 'Sasva phiri, sasva phiri' which means 'Hello, friend, hello friend.'
San va paria, san va paria
This line may be another variation on the traditional Romanichal Gypsy greeting 'Sasva manghe, sasva manghe' which means 'Hello mate, hello mate.'
Ro ven parki, ro ven parki
This line likely repeats the invitation for someone to come and join a group or the statement that others are present.
Ma fas consumi
'Ma fas consumi' means 'Let's get down to (eating and drinking)' or 'Let's get down to celebrating and having fun.'
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