"The Gypsy" is a popular song written by Billy Reid and published in 1945. The ballad tells the story of a person who visits a Gypsy fortune teller and is reassured that their partner is faithful. Though they both know it to be untrue, the narrator resolves to return, "'Cause I want to believe the Gypsy".
"The Gypsy" was originally introduced in the United Kingdom by Billy Reid's orchestra and vocalist Dorothy Squires, who was also his partner. In the United States, the song was recorded by Bill Kenny & The Ink Spots, Dinah Shore, and Sammy Kaye's orchestra, and was a hit for all three.
The Gypsy was also recorded by Charlie Parker on July 29, 1946, during the famous "Lover Man" session after which he was committed to the Camarillo State Mental Hospital in California.
Louis Armstrong recorded the song with the Commanders in October, 1953 and it was released on Decca Records as catalog number 28995.
The song appears on Sonny Stitt Sits in with the Oscar Peterson Trio which was released in 1957.
Sam Cooke recorded the song on his 1958 sophomore album Encore. Cooke was strongly influenced by The Ink Spots, and this was one of several songs previously performed by the group that he later covered.
Quincy Jones recorded the song on his 1959 album The Birth of a Band!.
Frank Sinatra recorded the song on his 1962 album Sinatra Sings Great Songs from Great Britain.
A more recent version, by Memphis record producer and performer Jim Dickinson, was included in his 1997 release A Thousand Footsteps in the Sand, actually recorded in 1992.
The Ink Spots' recording of the song appears on the soundtrack of the 2008 film Revolutionary Road.
