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| "Bamboléo" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byGipsy Kings | ||||
| from the albumGipsy Kings | ||||
| Language | Spanish | |||
| Released |
| |||
| Recorded | 1987 | |||
| Genre | Rumba flamenca | |||
| Length | 3:25 | |||
| Label | Elektra | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Gipsy Kings singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Bamboléo" onYouTube | ||||
"Bamboléo" is a 1987Spanish language song byGitano-French bandGipsy Kings, from theireponymous album. The song was written/adapted by band membersTonino Baliardo,Chico Bouchikhi (J. Bouchikhi),Nicolas Reyes and Venezuelan composerSimón Díaz & Brazilian composerAndré Filho. It was arranged byDominique Perrier.
The now iconic song has been a worldwide hit for the Gipsy Kings and has since been covered by many artists, both in Spanish and in other languages.
The song is a loose cover and an amalgam (combination) of two older songs by different authors, Caballo Viejo and Bamboleô.
1980 Venezuelan folk song "Caballo Viejo" bySimón Díaz.[1] is used as verse part of Gipsy Kings' song. However, original lyrics are heavily changed (shortened, with addition of completely new verses that completely changed the theme/meaning of the original song), so in this part it is a very loose cover.
The refrain/chorus is based on Bamboleô byAndré Filho, recorded byCarmen Miranda in 1931.[2][3]
The wordbamboleo means "wobble", "sway" or "dangle" inSpanish. The song's refrain, "bamboleo, bambolea, porque mi vida yo la prefier vivir así", translates to: "Swaying, swaying, because I prefer to live my life this way."
Julio Iglesias performed Gipsy Kings' amalgam as "Caballo Viejo (Bamboleo)",Celia Cruz as "Bamboleo", and many more.Umboza's song "Sunshine", their biggest hit in the UK, is based on a sample of "Bamboléo".[4]In 2006 the Tony Evans Dancebeat Studio Band recorded the samba version for the albumLatin Heat 2 - Dancebeat 4 (Tema International Ltd).
The Gipsy Kings included the song again on their albumGreatest Hits as track 3. The final track on the same album (track 18) also uses the song in a medley of hits as "Bamboléo –Volare –Djobi Djoba – Pida Me La – Baila Me".
1987
1988 12" UK version
1988 US version
1988 long 12" version
| Chart (1987–1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[5] | 19 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6] | 12 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] | 23 |
| France (SNEP)[8] | 7 |
| Germany (GfK)[9] | 18 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] | 9 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] | 5 |
| USHot Latin Songs (Billboard)[12] | 6 |
UK: 87, in July 1989 (sometimes wrongly referred to as "Bambolero")
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[13] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[14] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
