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

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...
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[@DJMag]

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

[@djdrwatson]

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

[@veejay3626]

Robin S...Show me love

[@andrastetriformis6241]

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

[@emilyjane7027]

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]

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]

The greatest chord progression in the history of house music!

[@beatbuildersstudio]

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

[@tetron62]

Neal Conway wrote that progression. The most detailed explanation I've seen was done by Bthelick. It's an excellent breakdown. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmionZSubNl1jJI

[@user-mm3oo7ox8t]

Amazing music

[@Ace_of_DiscaL]

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

[@elyer.8981]

THE greatest. Truly

[@kichini275]

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

[@charlesbronson5131]

Add Sybil & Kim Syms to that list.

[@ivamorris1605]

Legends

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

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]

Yes indeed!!!!!🎶🎶🎶🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Skeletor4ever]

La Bouche, C+C Dance Factory, Corona

[@Tommiedotjpg]

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]

A giant hit here in tiny Portugal 😍

[@TeamDynamiteTV]

The whole of Italy so I've heard ☺️

[@GilbertKingAispuro]

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

[@DJMag]

4 year olds with great taste!

[@SmokeyChipOatley]

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

[@princealbertz]

Anyone else miss the whole entire 1990s?!

[@GRY1337]

Same here! Greetings from Germany!

[@nateisgreat108]

“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]

And Party In The Ghetto and Destination Calabria

[@mmxximusic]

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]

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]

Facts!

[@denisesumpter6636]

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

[@iamolafs_]

This song will outlive us all 👏🏽

[@DJMag]

TIMELESS!

[@ivamorris1605]

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

[@jayvee2792]

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

[@DubenDeFreshDJ]

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

[@Lostin2024]

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

[@DJLizardon]

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

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

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

[@DreamDosage]

Yep, timeless!

[@syrus3k]

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

[@edmundblackaddercoc8522]

Harder than davie504?

[@T.Harry79]

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

[@shanesmith-vn1ri]

​@@T.Harry79lies

[@hoodybeatz]

That’s a forever banger

[@DJMag]

TIMELESS!

[@jameshollyoak8230]

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

[@crystallinemister]

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

[@e28forever30]

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]

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

[@michaelmckenna1950]

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

[@DJMag]

Now that's an idea!

[@jaybirch1178]

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

[@DJDoubleCee]

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 🙂

[@SincerelyYoursWill]

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]

its truly divine

[@imalrockme]

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]

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

[@shivzzi]

Put it in a time capsule. Absolute majestic tune

[@ivamorris1605]

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

[@djnickytlondon]

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]

Very cool!

[@joeruvolo2544]

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]

Amazing!

[@Neimm]

when did you hear it?

[@garymayen330]

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

[@joeruvolo2544]

@@Neimm when it came out early 90’s

[@joeruvolo2544]

@@garymayen330 lol everything slapped there

[@JohnSmith-qj6bj]

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.

[@Lee1981]

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.

[@baileycox6125]

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

[@ezekielthemack]

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

[@trishchepish]

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

[@homegyrl]

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

[@jimmccloskey3601]

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]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MagnusPaul1976]

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.

[@BrionneOlsen]

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

[@lfcmedeiros]

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]

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

[@DJMag]

Couldn't agree more!

[@thedrunkmonkshow]

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! 😎

[@ericafuller7133]

This IS my favorite song in the whole world ❤!

[@vibes7144]

Literally my favorite song of all time.

[@chickenlips74]

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

[@cedrichotspot]

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

[@Leehuss5582]

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

[@bazedjunkiii_tv]

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

[@Leehuss5582]

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

[@bazedjunkiii_tv]

@@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]

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

[@anil509]

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]

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

[@kurlykels11]

The soundtrack of my childhood in Jersey❤

[@Q2131]

Exit 5

[@davidwhite3180]

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]

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

[@wplants9793]

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

[@JustInvertedFpv]

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.

[@carlosedwards3230]

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

[@liljemark1]

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

[@tellerrecords]

Crystal Waters never fails!!

[@doobyboy21]

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

[@javiernajar1457]

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

[@DeeDerry]

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

[@rdubb77]

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]

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.

[@elyer.8981]

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

[@giovannifitzpatrick1987]

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

[@benji.B-side]

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.

[@briandemodulated]

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!

[@kichini275]

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

[@petercorr784]

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

[@DJMag]

Thanks for watching! Plenty more classics incoming

[@dendipeza]

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]

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. ❤️

[@tesla3695]

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]

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

[@mcwinfreysmythe]

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

[@andrejones3541]

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

[@PazEdenMoor]

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]

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

[@PazEdenMoor]

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

[@reemnelz9237]

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.

[@jamesgardening7451]

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

[@mazuiface]

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!

[@OfficialTravvyTrav]

There’s no EDM without songs like this

[@InayaDay]

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

[@sushifornico]

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

[@adriennewiggins2104]

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.

[@BKDAYZ]

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

[@sarahhannon9759]

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

[@pietrog]

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

[@SmokeyChipOatley]

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

[@tysonb3568]

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

[@NEONOIRERA]

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

[@ThaGataNegrra]

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. 🐾

[@blackbeltshopper5791]

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

[@tysonb3568]

Thank You DJ Mag. This is Dope!

[@DaveWinnel]

Another Banger!! Thanks Crystal Waters!!

[@mariaiss]

I don’t think she understands how this song got me thru senior year, 26 years later after it came out… still a classic!

[@katrinadrake2523]

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]

Club Zanzibar in Newark.

[@katrinadrake2523]

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

[@d-zone]

Shut Up & Dance/Peter Bouncer (amazing story) Baby D - Let Me Be Your Fantasy (amazing woman/story)

[@Thelonious_Coltrane]

We really appreciate you for this timeless classic i think children of my childres children will bump this at home and dance ❤️

[@miketrollmetheus3985]

oh yes! and it will be heard for the next 50 years... it's timeless!!!!!!

[@booker5618]

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

[@pault9544]

This song is simply genius and never gets old! Love to jam this while driving in my car.

[@DJ-Clify]

Amazing lady crosses herself humble

[@basiledaudet5774]

This woman is an absolute legend ❤

[@SPAlNKY]

One of the dopest songs of all time🔥🔥🔥🔥 👊🏿

[@AlonsoGonzalez]

I love her absolutely, just humble and sweet when she talks about that bomb of a house record. Many will say, its not house music, but for me, it is.

[@fcastellanos1]

brings so many memories from my teen years. timeless classic! love ya crystal waters! ❤

[@gizzykatkat9687]

One of my all time favorites