Sign of the Gypsy Queen explained

Sign of the Gypsy Queen
Cover:Sign_of_the_Gypsy_Queen.jpeg
Type:single
Artist:April Wine
Album:The Nature of the Beast
B-Side:Crash and Burn
Released:1981
Studio:Le Manoir
Genre:Hard rock
Length:4:18
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Just Between You and Me
Prev Year:1980
Next Title:Enough Is Enough
Next Year:1982

"Sign of the Gypsy Queen" is a song written and first recorded by Canadian singer Lorence Hud. The song became a hit in Canada when released as a single in 1973. Hud's version appeared on his eponymous debut album, released by A&M Records. The song reached the top 5 on the West Coast, #3 on CJRW-FM in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and peaked at #16 nationally on the RPM 100 chart.[1]

The song was first recorded by Hud at RCA's Toronto Studios in 1971, with Bill Misener of The Paupers producing. Bill wanted to sign Lorence but RCA did not move quickly enough, so A&M signed him instead. On Hud's recording he played all the instruments himself.

April Wine version

April Wine had greater success with a hard rock version of the song in 1981. It was the second single from their album The Nature of the Beast. The song reached #40 in Canada,[2] and #57 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100, and #19 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.

This version has become popular on album-oriented rock radio stations, getting frequent airplay in the United States and Canada. A music video aired on MTV's first day of broadcast. It remains one of the group's signature songs and a live concert staple. The song has since been recorded by other artists.[3] [4]

In popular culture

"Sign of the Gypsy Queen" gained a brief resurgence in popularity when it was featured in an episode of the American television series Breaking Bad in 2013. The episode, "Granite State", received critical acclaim, and is one of the most popular episodes in the series history.

Charts

Lorence Hud(1973) Peak
position
Canada RPM Top Singles16
Canada CJRW Summerside, Prince Edward Island3
April Wine(1981)Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 10057
US Top Rock Tracks19
Canada RPM Top Singles40
Canada CHUM Chart, Toronto5

Notes and References

  1. Web site: RPM Top 100 Singles - January 13, 1973.
  2. Web site: RPM Top 100 Singles - July 4, 1981.
  3. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=m4vlo99ae8aupajm3k3hgogv63&q1=April+Wine&q2=Top+Singles&interval=20 Canadian peaks
  4. http://www.billboard.com/artist/279805/april-wine/chart April Wine - Chart History