Los Van Van is a Cuban band led by bassist Juan Formell, and is considered … Read Full Bio ↴Los Van Van is a Cuban band led by bassist Juan Formell, and is considered to be one of Cuba's major timba acts, while Juan Formell has arguably become the most important figure in contemporary Cuban music.

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.

Dale dos
Los Van Van Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Aaaaaaaa
La.la.la.la.la(BIS).

Dale dos, a ella le gusta, dale dos
Los caramelos, dale dos
No se los niegues, dale dos
Se los merece.
Aaaaaaaaaa

La.la.la.la.la.la.la(BIS).

Dime si es imposible, no se porque no me das
Así sera tu cartucho no me basta con eso.
Sera mejor elegir de cualquier sabor
Aunque digas que no, que el chocolate me aturde
Compre el de piña agridulce.

Aaaaaaaa
La.la.la.la.la.la(BIS).

Dale dos, el niño tumba bomba
Dale dos, que hermosa mi niña
Dale dos, le gusta
Dale dos, señora chambelona
Dale dos, que hermosa mi negra
Dale dos, dale dos a mi China
Dale dos, caramelos
Dale dos, rompe chica
Dale dos, rompe chica
Dale dos, ohhhhh, ea.

Dale, dale, dale, oye mi Dora
Dale, tu sabes

Dale, dale, dale, dale, ea
Dale, dale, dale, dale...

Overall Meaning

The song "Dale Dos" by Los Van Van is a playful, upbeat dance song about giving two of everything to a woman who deserves it. The lyrics describe giving her double the amount of candy and never denying her anything she wants. The chorus repeats the phrase "dale dos," which means "give her two," and features various characters such as a bomb-making child, a beautiful girl, and a hard-working woman who all deserve double. Additionally, the lyrics mention the possibility of trying different flavors, including pineapple, despite the woman's hesitation towards chocolate.

The song has a catchy, upbeat and fast-paced rhythm that reflects the joy and enthusiasm of Cuban salsa music. Through the repetition of lyrics in the chorus, the song creates a sense of fun and excitement that encourages people to dance and let loose. The lyrics are sung in a call-and-response style, in which the lead singer calls out "dale dos" and other band members respond with "la la la la la."

Los Van Van originated in Cuba in the 1970s and has since become one of the most popular and influential bands in Latin music history. Their music blends traditional Cuban rhythms with elements of rock, jazz, and funk, creating a unique and recognizable sound. "Dale Dos" is one of their most beloved hits and continues to be played in salsa clubs all over the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Dale dos, a ella le gusta, dale dos
Give her two, she likes it, give her two

Los caramelos, dale dos
Give her two candies

No se los niegues, dale dos
Don't deny them to her, give her two

Se los merece.
She deserves them

Dime si es imposible, no se porque no me das
Tell me if it's impossible, I don't know why you don't give it to me

Así sera tu cartucho no me basta con eso.
Your cartridge will be like that, that's not enough for me

Sera mejor elegir de cualquier sabor
It will be better to choose any flavor

Aunque digas que no, que el chocolate me aturde
Even if you say no, that chocolate makes me dizzy

Compre el de piña agridulce.
I bought the sour pineapple one

Dale dos, el niño tumba bomba
Give him two, the boy who stops bombs

Dale dos, que hermosa mi niña
Give her two, how beautiful my girl is