Bamboléo

"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.

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. The refrain is based on Bamboleô by André Filho, recorded by Carmen Miranda in 1931.

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".

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