In 1967, Formell became musical director of Elio Reve's charanga orchestra. He reformatted the group into Changui '68, and then founded his own group, Los Van Van, on December 4, 1969.
Musical style
Using a charanga line-up as its base, Van Van added trombones and vocals, and was the first Cuban group to use synthesizers and drum machines. Their sound was a fusion of changui and son montuno with various types of music, including Afro-Cuban rhythms, rock, funk, disco, and hip hop. Juan Formell contributed countless innovations to the Cuban bass and clave, which paved the way for a radical reconceptualisation of rhythmic arrangements in Cuban music. The Van Van sound came to be known as songo (based on the songo rhythm), which laid the base for the later development of timba.
Notable personnel
Los Van Van has been a school for outstanding singers and musicians. Past members with successful careers as solo artists include Pedro Calvo, Angel Bonne, Changuito, Cesar "Pupy" Pedroso and others. As of 2006, Los Van Van probably have the best lineup of singers for a Cuba band composed of; Mayito Rivera, Roberto Hernandez "Roberton", Yeni Valdes and Lele Rosales.
Chirrín Chirran
Los Van Van Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hay muchas cosas que decir, que te paso, yo no lo se
Hay muchas cosas, pero solo te voy a decir asi
Asi, solo a asi
Chirrin Chirran
Que ya se acabó
Chirrin Chirran
Chirrin Chirran
Que ya no te quiero
Chirrin Chirran
Te digo eso luego
Chirrin Chirran
No No No No No
Chirrin Chirran
No No No No No
Hay muchas de los dos que recordar y porque no,
Hay muchas cosas que contar, y para que, te bulraras
Hay muchas cosas, pero solo te voy a decir asi
Asi, solo a asi
Chirrin Chirran...
Hay muchas cosas, pero solo te voy a decir asi
Asi, solo a asi
Chirrin Chirran...
In this song, Los Van Van is reflecting on a past relationship that has ended. The opening lines suggest that there are many things to be said about the love they once shared, but the singer doesn't know all the answers. It's clear that something has gone wrong, and the chorus repeats the phrase "Chirrin Chirran" to emphasize that the relationship is over, and the singer no longer loves their former partner. The phrase "Chirrin Chirran" itself is a Spanish onomatopoeic expression that mimics the sound of a ticking clock, creating a sense of finality and closure.
Line by Line Meaning
Hay muchas cosas para hablar de nuestro amor, de lo que fue
There are many things to talk about regarding our love and what it used to be.
Hay muchas cosas que decir, que te paso, yo no lo se
There are many things to say, but I don't know what happened to you.
Hay muchas cosas, pero solo te voy a decir asi
There are many things, but I will only tell you this way.
Asi, solo a asi
This way, just this way.
Chirrin Chirran
Que ya se acabó
Chirrin Chirran
Que ya termino
Chirrin Chirran
Que ya no te quiero
Chirrin Chirran
Te digo eso luego
Chirrin Chirran
No No No No No
Chirrin Chirran
No No No No No
Chirrin Chirran, it's already over. Chirrin Chirran, it's finished now. Chirrin Chirran, I don't love you anymore. Chirrin Chirran, I'll tell you that later. Chirrin Chirran, no, no, no, no, no. Chirrin Chirran, no, no, no, no, no.
Hay muchas de los dos que recordar y porque no,
There are many things between us to remember, so why not?
Hay muchas cosas que contar, y para que, te bulraras
There are many things to tell, but what's the point? You'll get confused.
Hay muchas cosas, pero solo te voy a decir asi
There are many things, but I will only tell you this way.
Asi, solo a asi
This way, just this way.
Chirrin Chirran...
Chirrin Chirran...
Writer(s): Juan Formell, Manuel Miquel, Lopez-quiroga
Contributed by Muhammad Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@joiyergonzalez
Que recuerdos de mi infancia con estas canciones y de como van vestidos me recuerda a mi papá ❤
@jorgeponce7947
Ya desde aquella epoca merecian un Grammy - QUE MANERA DE INNOVAR Y DE CAMBIAR LA SONORIDAD DE LA MUSICA CUBANA. Han pasado mas de 40 annos y sigue sonando cool.
@jmd8693
Así mismo es, mientras más escuchas esta canción y otras de Van Van, más las quieres seguir escuchando. Grande Van Van, genios!
@henrrycapiro2045
Una música que vive en nuestros corazones y en este video Changuito el maestro tocando la batería antes que los timbales
@barbarasantoya8215
Los Van Van. El grupo preferido mio y de mi familia. Siempre escucho todas sus canciones, me dan mucha energia y recuerdos Buenos. Muchas Gracias.
@robertomacandal
Lass grades canciones de formel y su musica perdurara por siempre en el corazon de todos los cubanos
@joselrocon
Mi querido amigo, me alegra volver a saludarte, gracias por compartir esta gran música de tu tierra, es preciosa y llevas razón perdurarán por siempre en el corazón, como cuando están bien echas, un saludo de tu amigo Saulo
@tbtechuk
seguro que si! 👍
@guiliureste4963
Un Clásico entre los Clásicos!
@MrJorgeavendano1
Fabulosos Van Van con Formell, Changuito y otros grandes.