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.
Mi Chocolate
Los Van Van Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Puro chocolate
Dime ¿donde está mi chocolate?
Dime donde está ¿a donde se metió?
Dime ¿donde está mi chocolate?
Dime donde está ¿a donde se metió?
El chocolate es una mulata, que tiene los ojos claros, con pelo negro, con traje mambo maduro, que por el frente y por detras, tiene mucho con demasiado wuo wuo wuo
Dime ¿donde está mi chocolate?
Dime donde está ¿a donde se metió?
Dime ¿donde está mi chocolate?
Dime donde está ¿a donde se metió?
Se caso con un italiano que por su cuento se la llevo, y me dijeron que la encerro, como medida de profesor, con su mucho con demasiado
(Ay! mi choco choco se fue)
Mi choco choco mira se me fue
(Ay! mi choco choco se fue)
Mira cuando ella me miraba, ella a mi me descontrolaba
(Ay! mi choco choco se fue)
Su boca sensual como ella no hay
(Ay! mi choco choco se fue)
Diganme a donde se ha ido? donde se ha metido?
(Ay! mi choco choco se fue)
Por el amor de esa mujer de eaa mujer voy a morir enloquecido
(Ay! mi choco choco se fue)
Diganme donde se ha ido, donde se ha metido?
(Ay! mi choco choco se fue)
Se fue, pero no importa, porque ahora vengo... tu lo ves
(Si! Y ahora vengo bambao, vengo sofocado y acelerao)
Oye! si se fue no importa, porque otro cuello viene a mi lado
(Si! Y ahora vengo bambao, vengo sofocado y acelerao)
Que todos lo sepan caballero, que yo soy de carrawuao
(Si! Y ahora vengo bambao, vengo sofocado y acelerao)
"Mi Chocolate" is a song by the Cuban band Los Van Van, one of the most popular and influential bands in the history of Latin American music. The song is a tribute to a woman known as Chocolate, who is described as a beautiful and seductive mulata with light eyes and black hair. The lyrics tell the story of how Chocolate married an Italian man who took her away, and how the singer is now searching for her. Despite the loss, the singer remains determined and confident, declaring that he is from Carrawuao and that he will find someone new.
The song has a lively and upbeat tempo that is characteristic of the band's style, with a strong rhythm section and a horn section that adds to the festive atmosphere. The lyrics are sung in a call and response style, with the lead vocalist singing the main lines and the backup singers responding with chants and exclamations. This creates a sense of community and celebration, as if the entire audience is joining in the search for Chocolate.
Overall, "Mi Chocolate" is a playful but heartfelt tribute to a woman who has captured the hearts of many. The song celebrates her beauty and charm, but also acknowledges the pain of loss and the possibility of finding new love. It is a joyous and infectious ode to life and love, and a testament to the power of music to bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Que mulata!
Oh what a beautiful mulata!
Puro chocolate
Full of chocolate goodness
Dime ¿donde está mi chocolate?
Tell me, where is my special someone?
Dime donde está ¿a donde se metió?
Tell me where she disappeared to?
El chocolate es una mulata, que tiene los ojos claros, con pelo negro, con traje mambo maduro, que por el frente y por detras, tiene mucho con demasiado wuo wuo wuo
She is a beautiful mulata with light eyes and black hair, dressed in mature mambo style, with curves everywhere that make everyone go wuo wuo wuo
Se caso con un italiano que por su cuento se la llevo, y me dijeron que la encerro, como medida de profesor, con su mucho con demasiado
She married an Italian man who tricked her and took her away. I heard that he kept her locked up as a form of punishment. She was just too much for him to handle
(Ay! mi choco choco se fue)
Oh no, my chocolate is gone!
Mi choco choco mira se me fue
My special someone is no longer with me
Mira cuando ella me miraba, ella a mi me descontrolaba
Whenever she looked at me, she made me lose control
Su boca sensual como ella no hay
Her sensuous lips are unmatched
Diganme a donde se ha ido? donde se ha metido?
Tell me, where did she go? Where did she disappear to?
Por el amor de esa mujer de eaa mujer voy a morir enloquecido
I will go crazy for the love of that woman
Se fue, pero no importa, porque ahora vengo... tu lo ves
She's gone, but it doesn't matter. Here I am, can't you see?
(Si! Y ahora vengo bambao, vengo sofocado y acelerao)
Yes, here I am, sweating and speeding up
Oye! si se fue no importa, porque otro cuello viene a mi lado
Hey, if she's gone, it doesn't matter because another neck (woman) is coming to me
Que todos lo sepan caballero, que yo soy de carrawuao
Let everyone know, sir, that I am from Carrawuao
Writer(s): Juan Formell
Contributed by Emily C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Benji
on Aqui Se Enciende la Candela
Yoel "El Soldado de Dios" Romero Palacio XD