Crystal Waters 'Gypsy Woman' | The Making Of A Dance Anthem

Рет қаралды 60,175

2 ай бұрын

Crystal Waters shares the story behind one of dance music’s most celebrated tracks, ‘Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)’.
Originally released in 1991 ‘Gypsy Woman’ has become a timeless house classic; 33 years on Crystal Waters shares the story behind how she went from working at the DC Parole Board to performing the track worldwide. A song inspired by a homeless street performer, Crystal dives into the meaning behind those iconic lyrics, relives her TV debut on Top Of The Pops, and reflects on what legacy the track holds now.
Electronic music history is rich with unforgettable and timeless classics. In our series, DJ Mag explores the tales behind some of the world's favourite dance tracks, told by the people that made them.
Explore more stories of the biggest tracks in dance music below.
• The Making Of Dance Cl...
#djmag #housemusic
Subscribe to DJ Mag TV: bit.ly/Oduqwo
We’re on Discord! Join our community of dance music lovers here: / discord
Website: www.djmag.com
Top 100 DJs: www.djmag.com/top100djs
Facebook: on. 1tr9sNh
Twitter: bit.ly/1AxeMR6
Google+: bit.ly/1k6xlq5
SoundCloud: bit.ly/1pE3QIU
Mixcloud: bit.ly/UK6i8

Пікірлер: 523

@DJMag 2 ай бұрын

An absolute classic! What other tracks should we include in the series? 👇

@djdrwatson 2 ай бұрын

Rozalla, she was the 'Queen of Rave'! Baby D Adeva Tina Moore

@veejay3626 2 ай бұрын

Robin S...Show me love

@andrastetriformis6241 2 ай бұрын

Neneh Cherry, Buffalo Stance Romeo Void, Never Say Never Sunscreem, Pressure Patrice Rushen, Forget Me Nots Evelyn Champagne King, Shame

@emilyjane7027 2 ай бұрын

A-Trak - Heads Will Roll Remix A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray Modjo - Lady Julio Bashmore - Battle For Middle You Princess Superstar - Perfect Exceeder Eric Prydz - Call On Me Disclosure - Latch

@Lostin2024 2 ай бұрын

Sugar is sweeter by C.J. Bolland but more specifically the Armand Van Helden remix. I find this one intriguing because the remix was more popular than the original. So many layers to this one.

@Westlake72 2 ай бұрын

The greatest chord progression in the history of house music!

@beatbuildersstudio 2 ай бұрын

It’s def one of the greats. It still holds up today.

@tetron62 2 ай бұрын

Neal Conway wrote that progression. The most detailed explanation I've seen was done by Bthelick. It's an excellent breakdown. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hp11n8SpnNqmhmQ.html

@user-mm3oo7ox8t 2 ай бұрын

Amazing music

@Ace_of_DiscaL 2 ай бұрын

@@beatbuildersstudio Exactly "one of". True House is all great!

@elyer.8981 2 ай бұрын

THE greatest. Truly

@kichini275 Ай бұрын

Crystal Waters, Cece Penistone and Robin S, what a time to be alive

@charlesbronson5131 Ай бұрын

Add Sybil & Kim Syms to that list.

@ivamorris1605 Ай бұрын

Legends

@user-be7tc2bd6e 21 күн бұрын

I LOVED and bought all their music in the 90s,I'd go to house music clubs in Philly,most times I was the only black person there,but,made friends with the bouncers,the owner,the women that worked there,etc,etc,.had lots of fun too. Those were good times.

@NostalgiaVibes420 20 күн бұрын

Yes indeed!!!!!🎶🎶🎶🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️❤️

@Skeletor4ever 17 күн бұрын

La Bouche, C+C Dance Factory, Corona

@Tommiedotjpg 2 ай бұрын

I was living in Italy as a military kid in the early 90s, when I tell you this song had Naples in a frenzy. 😂

@imalrockme Ай бұрын

A giant hit here in tiny Portugal 😍

@TeamDynamiteTV 14 күн бұрын

The whole of Italy so I've heard ☺️

@nateisgreat108 2 ай бұрын

“I play shows for people in their 20s now” - I wasn’t even alive when this was released but love hearing it in the clubs. This is a quintessential 90s house song. You should get her on to discuss 100% Pure Love 🎉

@ronj9933 Ай бұрын

And Party In The Ghetto and Destination Calabria

@GilbertKingAispuro 2 ай бұрын

Hell yeah!!! Now THIS is a CLASSIC and still a banger! My 4 year old daughters absolutely LOVE Crystal.

@DJMag 2 ай бұрын

4 year olds with great taste!

@SmokeyChipOatley 2 ай бұрын

That's adorable! Nurture her interests as best as possible.

@princealbertz Ай бұрын

Anyone else miss the whole entire 1990s?!

@GRY1337 13 күн бұрын

Same here! Greetings from Germany!

@mmxximusic 2 ай бұрын

I'm so glad she talked about her image and outfits because at the time, she really stood out as being more real than other artists. It made a healthy impression on me as a youth. Such a serious banger!

@Darkcorestudio 2 ай бұрын

She saying she did something right to me is an understatement. This song has become the voice of a new generation that started in the early 90's. I have the vinyl since day one and to this day i still regularly play it ! Absolute classic no doubt 💪

@DJMag 2 ай бұрын

Facts!

@denisesumpter6636 2 ай бұрын

You know the song is good when the melody gets sampled in a good amount of songs. Genius track.

@iamolafs_ 2 ай бұрын

This song will outlive us all 👏🏽

@DJMag 2 ай бұрын

TIMELESS!

@ivamorris1605 Ай бұрын

Spot on comment! Shame new generation doesn’t recognise old school

@romulus_ 23 сағат бұрын

@@ivamorris1605 some do. the right people do. it will always resonate with the people who are in touch with the spirit of house music, and house music transcends generations. i've seen it!

@jayvee2792 2 ай бұрын

She did better than “something good in her life” - she introduced the pop music world to “ house dance music “ ⭐️

@DubenDeFreshDJ 2 ай бұрын

i can’t stop playing this anthem, it is on my playlist since 97 when i started as a DJ.

@Lostin2024 2 ай бұрын

This whole series has been amazing. Please keep these coming. Everyone who’s working on these should be proud of themselves.

@DJLizardon 2 ай бұрын

I agree. These videos are awesome, and a great look into timeless tracks :)

@TheKnobCalledTone. 2 ай бұрын

They don't make music like this anymore. "Gypsy Woman" slaps harder than ever.

@DreamDosage 2 ай бұрын

Yep, timeless!

@syrus3k 2 ай бұрын

Yup, one of the greatest tunes - totally original and catchy.

@edmundblackaddercoc8522 2 ай бұрын

Harder than davie504?

@T.Harry79 2 ай бұрын

Yes they do. Good music is still around, but it’s no longer mainstream. You have to dig for it.

@shanesmith-vn1ri Ай бұрын

@@T.Harry79lies

@crystallinemister 2 ай бұрын

This is still my car jam. Can't imagine life without this song.

@hoodybeatz 2 ай бұрын

That’s a forever banger

@DJMag 2 ай бұрын

TIMELESS!

@jameshollyoak8230 2 ай бұрын

Used to drive my dad mad with this song , I would play the 12” non stop , still absolutely love this song , takes me to a happy place

@e28forever30 2 ай бұрын

I’m in Belgium here, let me confirm it was a BIG hit. One of the first cd singles I ever bought. Still love this song!🎧

@LuckyCoast 2 ай бұрын

I love that this song was dope when it was released, and the next generation appreciates the song just as much. Classic!!!

@djnickytlondon 2 ай бұрын

I remember buying the single cassette in a record store in France when I was 12 back in 1991. A family holiday. Listening it in my Walkman in the car. Great memories and such a great house anthem 👏🏻

@DJMag Ай бұрын

Very cool!

@michaelmckenna1950 2 ай бұрын

YOOOO Can we get one of these for The Bucketheads "The Bomb"??

@DJMag 2 ай бұрын

Now that's an idea!

@jaybirch1178 2 ай бұрын

That would be an easy one. He basically just looped and cut up Chicagos Streetplayer lol

@shivzzi Ай бұрын

Put it in a time capsule. Absolute majestic tune

@ivamorris1605 Ай бұрын

It will never stay in a capsule ! It’s too good

@DJDoubleCee 2 ай бұрын

Even though I was only a little kid back then, I remember hearing this song played all over the radio in the early 90’s 🙂

@joeruvolo2544 2 ай бұрын

This is an anthem. First time I heard this was in Zanzibar and the building was shaking. When it broke down to the keys it was sick. Just unreal

@DJMag 2 ай бұрын

Amazing!

@Neimm 2 ай бұрын

when did you hear it?

@garymayen330 Ай бұрын

Wow! I can only imagine how this must have slapped at Zanzibar

@joeruvolo2544 Ай бұрын

@@Neimm when it came out early 90’s

@joeruvolo2544 Ай бұрын

@@garymayen330 lol everything slapped there

@SincerelyYoursWill 2 ай бұрын

The backstory of this is fascinating! Going from being into computer science; then having her mom suggest going to a psychic; to THAT psychic says use your voice to find your purpose; to then auditioning and making it as singer?! Quite a journey, that was multiplied once she decided to shine light to least of us that didn't have a voice. And that song ends up being one of her timeless and indelible tracks decades later. Enjoyed the behind the scenes backstory!

@alienwithclout Ай бұрын

its truly divine

@imalrockme Ай бұрын

She has the looks, the brains, serious heritage, luck AND empathy, the story about her learning about the singer begger and getting on her shoes just blew me away 🙇

@migs532 Ай бұрын

This song will FOREVER be a true dance classic!!!

@baileycox6125 2 ай бұрын

I’ve heard this song throughout the world, from Australia to Amsterdam, in many different dj sets. Everytime you hear her, timeless memories are bound

@JohnSmith-qj6bj 2 ай бұрын

The thing about this song ,whenever you hear it you feel the same excitement that you had the very 1st time that u heard it. Love this song.

@trishchepish 2 ай бұрын

I love it. My parents used to turn the volume up while it was played on the radio since I was 1 and then, now in my 20s, still bangs in my playlist. And yes, I was born in 2004, but my parents and grandparents gave me a massive musical culture

@ezekielthemack 2 ай бұрын

Simply put, "Gypsy Woman" was a Choooooooooon, with a profound underlying message.

@jimmccloskey3601 2 ай бұрын

Wow that was a fantastic mini-doc! I now have much respect for Crystal Waters, I found everything she said so thoughtful and grounded even all these years later. That she started as an introverted comp sci / poetry geek is especially badass.

@DJMag 2 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@homegyrl Ай бұрын

To pen a classic on the first try! 🤯🤯🤯🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

@BrionneOlsen 2 ай бұрын

The biggest Dance Classic of all time in my humble opinion 😊.

@Lee1981 Ай бұрын

A month ago I went to a nightclub here in Chengdu China, where I live. They have a techno floor and a deep house/funky floor, anyway last track of the night on the funky floor was Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman, I'll also mention that the DJ was a Chinese local, so pretty impressive that this far away, and so many years later, it is still getting played wherever I go. I was very stoked to hear that track at the end of the night.

@lfcmedeiros 2 ай бұрын

This is simply a soundtrack of my life. I remember listening and never forgetting. Still a huge success and classic here in Brazil. So glad I was 18 y/o when it was released. So meaningful for me until today. I have lived in DC for one year, saw Crystal singing one time in 2003 or 2004 there and never thought it was the lyrics were directly related to the city and, in a certain way, me. Thanks Crystal Waters. Greetings from São Paulo, Brazil 🇧🇷

@DJLizardon 2 ай бұрын

Legend!! One of the greatest house tracks of all time :)

@DJMag 2 ай бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

@MagnusPaul1976 Ай бұрын

If you have a decent sound system in your home or in your car, then this is a dance floor classic that you should be listening to.

@ericafuller7133 2 ай бұрын

This IS my favorite song in the whole world ❤!

@chickenlips74 2 ай бұрын

Blew me away back in 91! Best house track ever. I still adore it.

@thedrunkmonkshow 2 ай бұрын

I remember the first time I heard this song when it was brand new I was 8 years old and with that organ riff combined with her voice I lost my mind. I still love it just as much now as I did back then and I'm 40. Her song along with people like CeCe Peniston, Soul II Soul and whether you're a gamer or not the music on the Genesis/Megadrive with Yuzo Koshiro's Streets Of Rage 1 & 2 video games is what got me into House music, EDM in general and influenced my production style still to this day. I'm glad Crystal is still around getting her flowers and she is still so beautiful 30+ years later! 😎

@vibes7144 2 ай бұрын

Literally my favorite song of all time.

@cedrichotspot 2 ай бұрын

This track was the highlight of my life. I will never forget it. Thank you Crystal Waters!!!🥰

@JustInvertedFpv 2 ай бұрын

I first heard this song in Zouk Nightclub in Singapore in the 90's. It was a huge hit there and I've always remembered this song and the lyrics. I used to stand on the subs in the corner of the dance floor to feel it as well.

@Leehuss5582 2 ай бұрын

Proper old school CLASSIC tune....still love hearing this...

@bazedjunkiii_tv 2 ай бұрын

still got a 7" of that one somewhere in my collection.

@Leehuss5582 2 ай бұрын

@@bazedjunkiii_tv Do NOT sell it keep price will only go up and UP! StaySafe ✌🤜🏽

@bazedjunkiii_tv 2 ай бұрын

@@Leehuss5582 i've actually rarely sold any vinyl record from my collection. none, to be exact. sitting on more than a metrical ton of vinyl right now.

@Leehuss5582 2 ай бұрын

@@bazedjunkiii_tv PLEASE PLEASE GIVE ME SOME...only kidding....or am I.....I am..... or.... StaySafe ✌🤜🏽

@anil509 2 ай бұрын

i had goosebumps the whole time watching this video, and to think my 7 year old is now singing this tune when it comes on

@andrastetriformis6241 2 ай бұрын

So great to see this goddess get more of the recognition she deserves! ❤❤❤

@kurlykels11 2 ай бұрын

The soundtrack of my childhood in Jersey❤

@Q2131 2 ай бұрын

Exit 5

@davidwhite3180 Ай бұрын

I used to listen to this repeatedly I was still in High School my Father just passed in 90. I was 16 going through grown up Crap PREMATURELY. THIS MELODY BROUGHT ME ON THROUGH DANCING WITH ATTITUDE! Until this day 2024 it means sooooooo much to m😢e❤️❤️❤️❤️👍🏿🙏🏿

@DjBaapreB 2 ай бұрын

I always thought she looked angry in the music video. Great to see her smile😊 Thanks for this awesome song, Chrystal!

@andykassie3213 5 күн бұрын

Gypsy woman an ultimate classic still sounding fresh in today's era. We in 2024 and it still will have you dancing.❤👍👍

@tellerrecords 2 ай бұрын

Crystal Waters never fails!!

@wplants9793 Ай бұрын

I loved this tune as a 9 year old in rural Wisconsin, still love it, so happy to share it with my kids

@liljemark1 19 күн бұрын

To this day i need to stop and listen to the track whenever it comes up. Absolute classic 👌

@carlosedwards3230 Ай бұрын

I was a club head when this song dropped. Club Loretta and Tracks in Atlanta. Thx for this classic. 🥰

@javiernajar1457 2 ай бұрын

I loved hearing it at the club. It sounds so massive.

@DeeDerry 2 ай бұрын

Not gonna lie 'She wakes up early in the mornin' is literally me to this day! I love house yes!

@user-fb4zb7qf7v 5 күн бұрын

One of the greatest house tracks!

@rdubb77 2 ай бұрын

I’m not even into this kind of house, but it’s an incredible track. The organ part is surprisingly complex if you study it.

@camtyler3576 2 ай бұрын

Agreed. The chord progression needs to be studied by musicians and students. A 1 time sell out pop hit will be dated but a once in a lifetime record could be the gateway to the soul.

@benji.B-side 2 ай бұрын

Timeless, totally Timeless!! A pure classic. I still feel this song in my soul, as much as I did in the House/Rave scene back in the day. I drop this in my DJ sets and the crowd, young and old, love it. It's up there at the top with the greatest House tunes ever made.

@doobyboy21 11 күн бұрын

BANGING HOUSE SONG !!! MUSIC NEVER GETS OLD !!! ⛈⛈⛈

@giovannifitzpatrick1987 Ай бұрын

I've had the good fortune to see Crystal twice in concert, and even to this day, she's still killing it

@elyer.8981 2 ай бұрын

Forever a legend. Changed music forever. Shoutout to her and the basement boys!

@briandemodulated 2 ай бұрын

This has been one of my favourite songs for decades and I didn't know the back story until now. I've been loving this song superficially!

@petercorr784 2 ай бұрын

Reeeeally love this series! And this tune. Today. Sounds as fresh as it was the day it came out. Still bangs. Amazing voice! ❤

@DJMag 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Plenty more classics incoming

@dendipeza 2 ай бұрын

That track was so catchy I still have it stuck in my head at least a couple days a week, without even hearing it. Love the organ chord progression and her voice over it.

@slowboiracer1611 Ай бұрын

I'm 24 and I'll never forget last year walking down the steps to one of my favorite clubs now in Seattle and the dj was spinning Gypsy Woman. The goosebumps I felt and the energy in the room was amazing. I've been listening to the song since I was a baby so to have that be one of my first clubbing experiences was really something special. ❤️

@kichini275 Ай бұрын

This song was very very big in Kenya when it came out. RIP my childhood friend Tono... Lover of music🎼🎶

@tesla3695 Ай бұрын

this song reminds me of "hey ya" by outkast. both sound like happy songs but when you listen to the lyrics there is a message that most ppl overlook.

@rwlodarczyk 23 күн бұрын

What a classic track. Loved this back then, love it now.

@mcwinfreysmythe 2 ай бұрын

Actual real goosebumps when I first hear that refrain, every single time. Thanks for the tune CW.

@jamesgardening7451 Ай бұрын

Thank you DJ Mag for this series love hearing from the artists and how the songs came together ❤️

@PazEdenMoor 2 ай бұрын

That was quality. I really enjoyed that, I had no idea about any of it and this has been one of my favourite tracks for decades. Love it.

@DJMag 2 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Check out the other tracks in our series

@PazEdenMoor 2 ай бұрын

@@DJMag I've since spent hours going through them. Keep them coming :)

@andrejones3541 2 ай бұрын

She straight blessed us with her gift!! I never knew the story behind the song and I am so glad that I do now!

@reemnelz9237 Ай бұрын

I remember when this song first came out it was my Uncle's favorite song. I remember being young and walking pass his room and that song stayed playing. I was like 10 yrs old.

@mazuiface Ай бұрын

This song is a timeless masterpiece with profound lyrics and one of the most iconic jazzy chord progressions in house - it makes you want to move no matter what!

@InayaDay 2 ай бұрын

Amazing song, great story, awesome Artist: the legendary Crystal Waters!

@BKDAYZ 2 ай бұрын

A maaaaaaaazing. The lyrics, the melody and that CHORD progression!! the alignment of it all ❤

@adriennewiggins2104 2 ай бұрын

Jersey strong! 😍 The clubs would go bananas over this track. Some of the best dance floor moments were created from this song! Sound Factory, Wild Pitch, The Tunnel and The Palladium were the places to be.

@sushifornico 2 ай бұрын

I got to meet her years ago in Berlin - she is such a cool person! Thank you for this video!!!

@sarahhannon9759 2 ай бұрын

I remember this at the school disco aged 10, such a banger and still fresh as anything today xxx

@SmokeyChipOatley 2 ай бұрын

This track is absolutely timeless! You could release this today and would fit right in. Iconic yet underrated. Edit - and she looks stunning. Never would have guessed if I didn't already know

@pietrog 2 ай бұрын

this is one of my favourites song, and now knowing the backstory of it makes it so beautiful

@DjWarp79 2 ай бұрын

Madam but i am sorry to tell you, your song will not just stay for 30 years, it will stay for a life time for everyone!

@NEONOIRERA Ай бұрын

This song is so important to my child hood I loved it when in living color parodied it.

@ThaGataNegrra 2 ай бұрын

The production on this is just...sick. I'm so glad this song has endured because it was so different than anything I'd heard prior to that and haunting. It stands. 🐾

@tysonb3568 Ай бұрын

The thing about Crystal is that she was SUCH a good performer and dancer!!! Homegirl was a tight performer!

@tysonb3568 Ай бұрын

Thank You DJ Mag. This is Dope!

@blackbeltshopper5791 28 күн бұрын

This song forces you up outta your seat - it's true classic dance music!! Thank you Crystal Waters!!

@mdgarciasa 8 сағат бұрын

One of the best, if not the best, house record in history. I'm writing this carefully.

@booker5618 2 ай бұрын

Loved from the day I received in my box from Rockpool.

@DaveWinnel 2 ай бұрын

Another Banger!! Thanks Crystal Waters!!

@katrinadrake2523 Ай бұрын

One of my all time favorites! Love this time. That's when NJ had the best clubs. I continue to listen to this song/artist. This song brings the energy. ❤

@lof7845 Ай бұрын

Club Zanzibar in Newark.

@katrinadrake2523 Ай бұрын

@@lof7845 Yes! Pharoah's in Irvington, Club 88 in EO, the Peppermint Lounge in Orange. 🔥 Great times!