This was the first single The Impressions released with Curtis Mayfield as lead singer.

It was 1961 and Jerry Butler had just left the group formed in Chicago by a trio of Tennessee blow-ins, so Curtis Mayfield moved on up.

Taking over as lead singer and songwriter, Mayfield relocated the group to New York with a new record deal and went into the studio to record this song.

Gypsy Woman became their biggest hit to date, and put Mayfield on the music map as the future superstar he would become.

Meanwhile the song went on to be covered by Brian Hyland, produced by Del Shannon, in 1970 – the first version I heard, and arguably even better than the original. 

After that came versions by Bobby Womack, Steve Marriott and Santana.