Gipsy Kings have looked to Irish songwriter Brendan Graham for lyrics to their latest single, ‘Abandonado’.

The song is set for release on 8th September and is from their Renaissance album. The legendary flamenco band are also on their world tour across 2023/2024.

Graham is known for penning ‘You Raise Me Up’, and composing Ireland’s consecutive Eurovision victories in the 1990s with ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids’ (1994) and ‘The Voice’ (1996).

“Our new single Abandonado will be out on September 8th. The lyrics will be in English and have been written by Brendan Graham, who wrote the worldwide hit You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban. We are very excited about this release,” said Gipsy Kings founder, Tonino Baliardo.

 

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“It was an honour to be asked” Graham said…’as well as a challenge, to write a lyric for the roof-lifting music of this legendary band and the voice of Tonino Baliardo.”

Throughout his career, Graham, has seen his work covered by a diverse range of artists, from Josh Groban and Aretha Franklin to The Chieftains and Westlife.

In another recent project, Graham's songs were translated into the Basque language Euskera, and  were included in the documentary Elibra, which sheds light on Basque activist Elbira Zipitria.

Gipsy Kings have also announced a concert at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre on 18 March 2024. Tickets start from €70.45 and are available via Ticketmaster.ie.