Bamboléo

For other uses, see Bamboleo (disambiguation).

"Bamboléo" is a 1987 Spanish language song by Gitano-French band Gipsy Kings, from their eponymous album. The song was written by band members Tonino Baliardo, Chico Bouchikhi (J. Bouchikhi), Nicolas Reyes and Venezuelan composer Simón Díaz. It was arranged by Dominique Perrier. "Bamboleo" could be translated as "wobble", "swing" or "dangle" in Spanish.

"Bamboléo"
Single by Gipsy Kings
from the album Gipsy Kings
Language	Spanish
Released	12 July 1987 (US) 31 March 1988 (UK/Hispanic)
Recorded	1987
Genre	Rumba flamenca
Length	3:25
Label	Elektra
Songwriter(s)	Tonino Baliardo Chico Bouchikhi Nicolas Reyes Simón Díaz
Gipsy Kings singles chronology
"Djobi Djoba" (1987) "Bamboléo" (1987)
Music video
"Bamboléo" on YouTube

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.

Origin

The word bamboleo means "wobble", "sway" or "dangle" in Spanish. 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."

Part of the song is an adaptation of the 1980 Venezuelan folk song "Caballo Viejo" by Simón Díaz.^[1] The refrain is based on Bamboleô by André Filho, recorded by Carmen Miranda in 1931.^[2][3]

Julio Iglesias performed the song as "Caballo Viejo (Bamboleo)", and Umboza's song "Sunshine", their biggest hit in the UK, is based on a sample of "Bamboléo".^[4]

The Gipsy Kings included the song again on their album Greatest 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".

In 2006 the Tony Evans Dancebeat Studio Band recorded the samba version for the album Latin Heat 2 - Dancebeat 4 (Tema International Ltd).

Track listing

1987

• A-side: "Bamboléo" – 3:28
• B-side: "Quiero Saber" – 4:09

1988 12" UK version

• A-side: "Bamboléo"
• B-side: "Bamboléo" (single version) – 3:25 / "Quiero Saber" – 4:10

1988 US version

• A-side: "Bamboléo" – 3:28
• B-side: "Bamboléo" (LP version) – 3:28

1988 long 12" version

• A-side: "Bamboléo" (Latin single) – 3:45)
• B-side: "Bamboléo" (Latin extended version) – 7:17

Charts

Chart performance for "Bamboléo"

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
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[12]	6

UK: 87, in July 1989 (sometimes wrongly referred to as "Bambolero")

Certifications

Certifications for "Bamboléo"

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.

References

1. Sullivan, Steve (2013). Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings. Scarecrow Press. pp. 143–145. ISBN 9780810882966. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
2. "Dicionário Cravo Albin da Música Popular Brasileira". Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
3. Carmen Miranda – The Ultimate Collection (2001)
4. Video on YouTube
5. "Gipsy Kings – Bamboléo". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
6. "Gipsy Kings – Bamboléo" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
7. "Gipsy Kings – Bamboléo" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
8. "Gipsy Kings – Bamboléo" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
9. "Gipsy Kings – Bamboléo" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
10. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 22, 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
11. "Gipsy Kings – Bamboléo" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
12. "Gipsy Kings Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
13. "Spanish single certifications – Gypsy Kings – Bamboleo". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
14. "British single certifications – Gypsy Kings – Bamboleo". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 June 2021.