Chan Chan

Eliades Ochoa, Cuarteto Patria

About Chan Chan

"Chan Chan" is a 1984 son composition by Cuban trovador Compay Segundo. It was first recorded in 1985 by Compay Segundo's own group.[1] In 1987, he approached Eliades Ochoa, who agreed to record a version with the Cuarteto Patria. However, EGREM did not release these recordings until the second half of the 1990s. In November 1995, Compay recorded a new version in Madrid for his Antología, released on CD the following year. In March 1996, Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa and other veteran Cuban musicians recorded a new version of the song as part of the Buena Vista Social Club project. [2] The song became the opening track of their eponymous album and the group's signature song, thereby achieving international fame. 


Year:
2000
4:16
113 
#2

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De Alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí

De Alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí

De Alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí

El cariño que te tengo
No te lo puedo negar
Se me sale la babita
Yo no lo puedo evitar
Cuando Juanica y Chan Chan
En el mar cernían arena
Como sacudía el jibe
A Chan Chan le daba pena

Limpia el camino de pajas
Que yo me quiero sentar
En aquél tronco que veo
Y así no puedo llegar

De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llegó a Cueto voy para Mayarí

De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llegó a Cueto voy para Mayarí

De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llegó a Cueto voy para Mayarí

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Eliades Ochoa

Eliades Ochoa (born 22 June 1946) is a Cuban guitarist and singer from Loma de la Avispa, Songo La Maya in the east of the country near Santiago de Cuba. more »

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15 facts about this song

Background
"Chan Chan" is the opening track of the album Buena Vista Social Club and the album’s most popular song, recorded by the supergroup of the same name.
Song Composition
Composer and singer Compay Segundo wrote the song in "son" genre, the traditional music style of Cuba, which combines the elements of Spanish canción and Afro-Cuban percussion.
Cultural Impact
In recent years, "Chan Chan" has come to represent the soundtrack of the whole Cuban nation, with its timeless and atmospheric sound.
Meaning
"Chan Chan" tells a simple story about two characters, Juanica and Chan Chan, who are building a straw house and were slightly altered from a popular Cuban saying.
Revival
The song played a significant role in sparking a global interest in traditional Cuban music during the late 1990s.
Album Success
Partly thanks to the appeal of "Chan Chan", Buena Vista Social Club's album became enormously successful, selling over eight million copies and winning a Grammy.
Artist's Contribution
Eliades Ochoa, known for his contribution to Cuban folk music and his distinctive style, played and arranged the track on the album.
Popularity
Today, "Chan Chan" is the most recognized and widely covered song from the album, playing a key role in the ensemble's international recognition.
Filmmaker's Interest
The recording of this song is noted in the documentary film "Buena Vista Social Club" by Wim Wenders, which further boosted its popularity.
World Music Scene
"Chan Chan's" international success marked it as a significant contribution to the world music scene.
Live Performances
"Chan Chan" was a staple in all of Buena Vista Social Club's live performances, with its infectious rhythm and meaningful lyrics catching the ears of audiences worldwide.
Recording Location
"Chan Chan" was recorded in Havana's famous Egrem Studios, an iconic location with a deep connection to Cuban music history.
Preservation of Cuban Music
"Chan Chan" is celebrated as a major work that helped to preserve Cuba's rich musical heritage in an era of global musical homogenization.
Continuity
Members of the Buena Vista Social Club continue to perform "Chan Chan", keeping the memory of Compay Segundo and the golden age of Cuban music alive.
Recognition by UNESCO
A live performance of "Chan Chan" by Eliades Ochoa was included in the UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music, further cementing the song's status as a cultural treasure.

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