Crystal Waters, a name synonymous with 90s house music, didn’t always envision a life under the spotlight. Growing up with a jazz musician father and a singer/actor great-aunt, music was in her blood, yet her initial path led to the Washington DC parole board. It was a psychic’s unexpected advice – “you aren’t doing anything with your voice” – that acted as a catalyst, rerouting her trajectory towards a musical career. This pivotal moment led her to a backing vocalist gig, earning her $600, a sum that felt like “a million dollars” and solidified her desire to pursue music full-time.
Waters’ demo eventually landed her at a music conference where she connected with the production team, the Basement Boys. This collaboration proved fruitful when they presented her with a house music track, “Gypsy Woman”, and requested her songwriting and vocal talents. Initially, the track was instrumental, and Waters found herself humming “La da dee, la da da” as placeholder lyrics due to the syllable constraints. This seemingly simple hook instantly captivated the Basement Boys.
However, Waters felt the song needed a narrative, a story that resonated with real-life experiences. Her thoughts drifted to a woman she frequently observed in Washington DC. This woman, always impeccably dressed and made-up, stood on the streets singing gospel and asking for money. Initially judgmental, Waters’ perspective shifted after reading a local news story detailing the woman’s descent into homelessness after losing her job at a cosmetic counter. The woman’s dignity, even in hardship, profoundly impacted Waters. This encounter became the emotional core of “Gypsy Woman.” The lyrics, “She wakes up early every morning / Just to do her hair / Because she cares y’all,” directly reflect the woman’s poignant story and the dignity she maintained while And She Stands There Singing For Money.
Alt text: Crystal Waters captivating the audience during a live performance, embodying the energy of her iconic song.
Interestingly, “Gypsy Woman” was initially intended for Ultra Naté, another artist. However, after Waters recorded a demo, the Basement Boys recognized the emotional depth and authenticity she brought to the song, likely due to her personal connection to the narrative. Recorded in their basement studio – specifically, in the bathroom for its acoustics – Waters’ version became the definitive one.
Neal Conway, a songwriter and producer with the Basement Boys, further elaborated on the song’s creation. He highlighted Waters’ observational songwriting style, exemplified by “Gypsy Woman.” Conway’s musical influences, ranging from Barry White to Isaac Hayes, shaped the song’s unique sound, blending house music with soulful undertones. He started with piano chords, adding bassline and drums, and layering strings and orchestration using his Leslie organ speaker. While the Basement Boys initially considered the track “too pretty” for clubs in its original form, the “Strip to the Bone mix,” which stripped away the orchestration, became a club hit.
Alt text: Neal Conway immersed in the creative process in the studio, crafting the musical landscape of “Gypsy Woman”.
The success of “Gypsy Woman” took everyone by surprise, transforming from a club track to an international sensation. Initially, Waters worried that listeners weren’t grasping the song’s deeper meaning. To rectify this, the label was requested to add “she’s homeless” to the title on subsequent pressings, ensuring the poignant story behind the catchy hook was understood. “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” became more than just a dance anthem; it became a song with a message, bringing attention to the often-overlooked stories of individuals facing homelessness, symbolized by the woman and she stands there singing for money, striving to maintain dignity amidst hardship.
