Brendan Graham pens lyrics for new single from The Gipsy Kings

RENOWNED Mayo based songwriter and novelist, Brendan Graham, has added another string to his bow by writing the lyrics for ‘Abandonado’, the new single from the Gipsy Kings.

The legendary flamenco band, whose members were born in southern France but raised in the Spanish culture, are on their world tour which will include a date in Dublin next March.

“Our new single, Abandonado, features lyrics in English and is written by Brendan Graham who wrote the worldwide hit, 'You Raise Me Up', performed by Josh Groban. We are very excited about this release,” said Gipsy Kings founder, Tonino Baliardo.

Brendan has been the recipient of an array of top accolades and honours over the years. He penned the lyrics for two Irish Eurovision winning songs, ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids’ (1994) and ‘The Voice’ (1996). His songs have been recorded by a diverse range of artists from The Chieftains and Westlife to Aretha Franklin and by numerous Irish singers.

Mayo based songwriter Brendan Graham

“It was an honour to be asked,” Brendan 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.”

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

The Gipsy Kings will perform a concert in the Olympia Theatre, Dublin, on March 18.