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.
Solo por ti
Gipsy Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo te quiero mas que a nadie
Tu solita no me mira
Pasa tu y no me habla
De penita ya moriría
Yo te quiero mas que a nadie
Tu solita no me mira
De penita ya moriría
Bailara, bailara, bailara
Solo por ti bailara, bailara
Solo por ti bailara, bailara
Solo por ti bailara
Yo te quiero mas que a nadie
Tu solita no me mira
Pasa tu y no me habla
De penita ya moriría
Amiwawa, ai la mai ve
The lyrics of Gipsy Kings' "Solo Por Ti" describe unrequited love and the desperation that comes with it. The singer expresses his love for a woman who doesn't notice him, and he would be willing to die of heartache from her neglect. Despite her indifference, the singer declares that he would dance for her and do anything for her, even if she wouldn't reciprocate his feelings.
The imagery in the lyrics is vivid and emotional, portraying the intense feelings that come with unrequited love. The phrases "yo te quiero mas que a nadie" (I love you more than anyone else) and "de penita ya moriría" (I would die of sorrow) emphasize the depth of the singer's emotions. The repetition of the verse "tu solita no me mira, pasa tu y no me habla" (you alone don't look at me, you pass by and don't talk to me) further emphasizes the singer's desperation and unrequited desire for the woman.
Overall, "Solo Por Ti" is a powerful portrayal of the emotional turmoil that can come with unrequited love, and the lyrics effectively capture that struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Amiwawa, ai la mai ve
A nonsensical phrase that serves as a catchy introduction to the song
Yo te quiero mas que a nadie
I love you more than anyone else
Tu solita no me mira
You don't even look at me
Pasa tu y no me habla
You walk by me and don't even speak to me
De penita ya moriría
I would die of sadness
Bailara, bailara, bailara
Dance, dance, dance
Solo por ti bailara, bailara
I will dance, dance just for you
Solo por ti bailara, bailara
I will dance, dance just for you
Solo por ti bailara
I will dance just for you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RE, ANDRE REYES, FRANCOIS REYES, GEORGES REYES, JACQUES BALIARDO, NICOLAS REYES, PATCHAI REYES, PAUL REYES, TONINO BALIARDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wesam Odeh
Lyrics and translation:
Amiwawa, ai la mai ve...
Yo te quiero mas que a nadie
Tu solita no me mira
Pasa tu y no me habla
De penita ya moriria
Yo te quiero mas que a nadie
Tu solita no me mira
Pasa tu y no me habla
De penita ya moriria
Bailara, bailara, bailara
Solo por ti bailara, bailara
Solo por ti bailara, bailara
Solo por ti bailara
Yo te quiero mas que a nadie
Tu solita no me mira
Pasa tu y no me habla
De penita ya moriria
Amiwawa, ai la mai ve...
****************Translated text*******************
Amiwawa, ai la mai ve...
I love you more than anyone
You only don't look at me
You pass by and don't talk to me
From the pain I would die
I love you more than anyone
You only don't look at me
You pass by and don't talk to me
From the pain I would die
She will dance, she will dance, she will dance
Only for you she will dance, she will dance
Only for you she will dance, she will dance
Only for you she will dance
I love you more than anyone
You only don't look at me
You pass by and don't talk to me
From the pain I would die
Amiwawa, ai la mai ve...
America Red
Can't get enough of this song!
Michael Casado
I’m in not one to cry very much. My Father was from Madrid and absolutely loved the Gypsy kings. My mother and him split when I was 9 years old due to his alcoholism. He died when I was 23. My mom and dad rarely spoke. At his funeral, when this song came on my mom started crying and I could see the pain and the hurt in her eyes and I just broke down in tears. That was a powerful moment me and my mother shared that I will never forget.
RIP José Bermejo Casado
daisy lucid
Linda canção amo muito vocês Gipsy kings. Brasil 🌷 🌷 🌹 🌹 🌼 🌼 🌻 🌻 ❤ ❤ 💕 💕 💕 💯 💯 💯 💯 💯 💯 🌷
Wesam Odeh
Lyrics and translation:
Amiwawa, ai la mai ve...
Yo te quiero mas que a nadie
Tu solita no me mira
Pasa tu y no me habla
De penita ya moriria
Yo te quiero mas que a nadie
Tu solita no me mira
Pasa tu y no me habla
De penita ya moriria
Bailara, bailara, bailara
Solo por ti bailara, bailara
Solo por ti bailara, bailara
Solo por ti bailara
Yo te quiero mas que a nadie
Tu solita no me mira
Pasa tu y no me habla
De penita ya moriria
Amiwawa, ai la mai ve...
****************Translated text*******************
Amiwawa, ai la mai ve...
I love you more than anyone
You only don't look at me
You pass by and don't talk to me
From the pain I would die
I love you more than anyone
You only don't look at me
You pass by and don't talk to me
From the pain I would die
She will dance, she will dance, she will dance
Only for you she will dance, she will dance
Only for you she will dance, she will dance
Only for you she will dance
I love you more than anyone
You only don't look at me
You pass by and don't talk to me
From the pain I would die
Amiwawa, ai la mai ve...
Helga kluth
Bonito bonito Extrano mi Málaga saludos desde alemania 🇪🇦❤🇧🇪😎🎼🌹💃💋🎶
America Red
Love this song!!!
Baviera Brenda
hi
abdallah alshargawi
i love all songs of this band
La dolce
Came here from a friend suggestion lol but now just cant get bored of it lol its just diff nd full of energy thats why Im hearing it in repeat loool <3
Paul Marko
ived loved that song for years!!!