Gypsy Woman (The Impressions song)

"Gypsy Woman" is a 1961 rhythm and blues song written by Curtis Mayfield and recorded by his group the Impressions. The group's first single following the departure of lead singer Jerry Butler, it reached No. 2 on the US Billboard R&B chart, No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100[4] and number 17 on the Cash Box chart. It also appeared on the group's 1963 eponymous debut album. Joe Bataan (1967), Brian Hyland (1970), Bobby Womack (1985), Steve Marriott (1989), and Santana (1990) covered this song.

"Gypsy Woman"
side-A label
Side A of the original US single
Single by The Impressions
from the album The Impressions
B-side"As Long as You Love Me"
ReleasedOctober 1961
StudioUniversal Recording (Chicago)[1]
GenreRhythm and blues[2]
Length2:20
LabelABC-Paramount
Songwriter(s)Curtis Mayfield[3]
The Impressions singles chronology
"For Your Precious Love"
(1958)
"Gypsy Woman"
(1961)
"Grow Closer Together"
(1962)

According to a 1995 British interview, Mayfield wrote "Gypsy Woman" when he was 12 years old.[5]

Brian Hyland version

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"Gypsy Woman"
 
One of side-A labels of the US single
Single by Brian Hyland
from the album "Brian Hyland"
B-side"You and Me (#2)"
Released10 June 1970
Length2:32
LabelUni
Songwriter(s)Curtis Mayfield
Producer(s)Del Shannon
Brian Hyland singles chronology
"Stay and Love Me All Summer"
(1969)
"Gypsy Woman"
(1970)
"Lonely Teardrops"
(1971)

In 1970, Brian Hyland recorded his version of the song, produced by Del Shannon and featuring Max Crook on keyboards which went up to Number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and in Canada,[6] and number 4 in South Africa.[7]

Hyland's version became a gold record. In that same year 1970, Major Lance also recorded the song.[8]

Santana version

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Santana covered "Gypsy Woman" in 1990, from the album Spirits Dancing in the Flesh. It was released as a single and charted on both Adult Contemporary charts of the US and Canada, at numbers 31 and 29 respectively.

Charts

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The Impressions

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Chart (1961-1962) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 20
US Billboard R&B 2
US Cash Box Top 100[10] 17

Brian Hyland

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Weekly Charts

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Santana

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Chart (1990) Peak
position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[23] 40
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[24] 29
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[25] 31

References

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  1. ^ Cogan, Jim; Clark, William (2003). Temples of Sound: Inside the Great Recording Studios. San Francisco, California, USA: Chronicle Books. p. 133. ISBN 0-8118-3394-1.
  2. ^ Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 310. ISBN 0-452-26305-0.
  3. ^ "discogs.com". Discogs. September 1961. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  4. ^ Huey, Steve. "The Impressions [Awards]". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  5. ^ "Curtis Mayfield: Darker Than Blue (1995)". YouTube.
  6. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1970-12-05. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
  7. ^ a b "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  8. ^ Gypsy Woman Retrieved 13 May 2022
  9. ^ "The Impressions Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  10. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, December 23, 1961". Tropicalglen.com. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  11. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  12. ^ "Brian Hyland – Gipsy Woman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  13. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3723." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  14. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved June 15, 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Brian Hyland".
  15. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Brian Hyland" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  16. ^ "Brian Hyland – Gipsy Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  17. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  18. ^ "Brian Hyland Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  19. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles". Tropicalglen.com. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  20. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Brian Hyland – Gipsy Woman" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  21. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3740." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  22. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
  23. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1300." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  24. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1345." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  25. ^ "Brian Hyland Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
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