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.
Sandunguera
Los Van Van Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(CORO)
sandunguera,
se te va por encima la cintura,
no te muevas más así,
que te vas por encima del nivel,
sandunguera,
no te muevas más así,
que te vas por encima del nivel
Y dicen que:
que a esa muchacha no hay quien le ponga el freno, que
¿que.que de qué?
que si la dejas se lleva el baile entero
que facilidad...
mírala.mírala... mírala
(CORO)
Y dicen que:
que no es un cuento lo de ese movimiento que,
¿que.que de qué?
que si la sigues te deja casi muerto
que facilidad,
mírala... mírala... mírala
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
Cuando va por las calles de La Habana, vieja, todo el mundo grita: ¡ahí va la sandunguera!
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
Ay no te muevas más así...que estás por encima del nivel.
Sandunguera, .¡y se te ve!... que tú te vas por encima del nivel
esa muchacha no hay quien le ponga un freno... cuando llega al baile se lo lleva entero
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
Ay con ese movimiento, si la sigues... te deja casi muerto
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
un meneíto pa'aquí, un meneíto pa'llá...un meneíto pa'aquí, un meneíto pa'llá
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
mira como me tienes, mira como me tienes... que me tienes con la lengua casi afuera
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
sandunga en la cinturita... sandunga en su movimiento
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
si sigue asi caminando ¡rompe el pavimento!
(Intrumental)
Puppy... El Sandunguero de Pogolotti.el hijo 'e Nené
(Instrumental)
¡Chango... El Misterioso... rompe la paila!
Sandunguera... Sandunguera... Sandunguera... Sandunguera... Sandunguera... Sandunguera
¡Orlando el Viejo Ortigón... Flauta Mayor!
(instrumental)
¡Lazarito... El Trombón de Guanabacoa... pueblo embrujado!
Que tú te vas por encima (x5)
The song “Sandunguera” by the Cuban band Los Van Van is a tribute to a woman who dances with such sensuality that her waist swings above the level of the dance floor. The song’s energetic salsa rhythm is accompanied by lyrics that describe the woman’s intoxicating dance and warn others not to follow her, or risk being left breathless. The chorus repeats the title, “Sandunguera,” which is a term used to describe a woman who moves her hips seductively while dancing. The song’s verses also convey the admiration and fascination that everyone has for this woman when she is out in the streets of La Habana.
The lyrics suggest that the Sandunguera is not only a skilled dancer but also a wild, uninhibited spirit whom nobody can control. The first verse asserts that her hips move with such speed and grace that she defies gravity, and her “meneíto” (sway) keeps people mesmerized. People claim that she could dance non-stop to the point of exhaustion, leaving people in awe of her. The Sandunguera is described as an unstoppable force of nature, moving without inhibition, and making heads turn wherever she goes. The lyrics then give a warning that, if you try to follow her, you’ll end up entirely under her spell.
Another verse, backed by the energetic salsa beat of the song, says that the Sandunguera’s movements are so captivating that they can even leave people weak in the knees. Her irresistible charm, freedom, and wildness make her the envy of the town's other women. The repeated use of the word “mírala” (look at her) conveys the sense that people can’t help but stare in amazement at her sensual dance style. The last verse humorously suggests that if the Sandunguera doesn’t slow down, she might break the pavement in the neighborhood. Overall, the song celebrates the free-spirited and passionate nature of the uncontainable Sandunguera.
Line by Line Meaning
¡¡ Sandunga... sandunguera!
The song begins with the chorus, inviting the listener to enjoy the sandunga or sensuality of the sandunguera.
Sandunguera,
The sandunguera, which refers to a woman dancing with sensuality, has an uncontrollable hip movement.
se te va por encima la cintura,
Her hip movement is so excessive that it seems to exceed the threshold.
no te muevas más así,
The sandunguera is advised to control her hip movement so that she won't exceed the limit.
que te vas por encima del nivel,
The sandunguera's excessive hip movement is so unbeatable that it rises above the level.
sandunguera,
Chorus repeats.
se te va por encima la cintura
Chorus repeats.
no te muevas más así,
Chorus repeats.
que te vas por encima del nivel
Chorus repeats.
Y dicen que:
There are rumors about the sandunguera.
que a esa muchacha no hay quien le ponga el freno, que
It is said that this sandunguera's hip movement is so unstoppable that no one can slow her down.
¿que.que de qué?
Interjection seeking clarification
que si la dejas se lleva el baile entero
It is rumoured that this sandunguera's hip movement is so captivating that she will take the entire dance floor with her.
que facilidad...
It is effortless for the sandunguera to move her hips.
mírala.mírala... mírala
The chorus tells the audience to look at the sandunguera.
(CORO)
Chorus repeats.
Y dicen que:
Chorus repeats.
que no es un cuento lo de ese movimiento que,
It is corroborated that this sandunguera's hip movement is real and not fictional.
¿que.que de qué?
Interjection seeking clarification
que si la sigues te deja casi muerto
If anyone tries to match her hip movement, she can cause them to faint due to her stunning performance.
que facilidad,
Her hip movement is so natural and effortless.
mírala... mírala... mírala
Chorus repeats.
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
Chorus repeats the idea of the sandunguera's excessive hip movement.
Cuando va por las calles de La Habana, vieja, todo el mundo grita: ¡ahí va la sandunguera!
The singer portrays the sandunguera's seductive power, where people on the streets of La Habana shout in admiration.
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
Chorus repeats.
Ay no te muevas más así...que estás por encima del nivel.
Chorus repeats the advice to the sandunguera to control her hip movement and stay within the threshold.
Sandunguera, .¡y se te ve!... que tú te vas por encima del nivel
Chorus repeats again that the sandunguera's hip movement is excessive and visible.
esa muchacha no hay quien le ponga un freno... cuando llega al baile se lo lleva entero
The singer repeats the earlier rumor that the sandunguera can persuade everyone on the dance floor with her hip movement.
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
Chorus uses repetition to emphasize the sandunguera's unique sensuality.
Ay con ese movimiento, si la sigues... te deja casi muerto
Chorus repeats the idea that the sandunguera's hip movement can make people faint due to its extraordinary nature.
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
Chorus repeats again its emphasis on the sandunguera's dominant hip movement.
un meneíto pa'aquí, un meneíto pa'llá...un meneíto pa'aquí, un meneíto pa'llá
Sandunguera's dance move is to sway her hips side to side while she does a little shuffle or exotic dance steps.
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
Chorus repeats the point where the sandunguera goes beyond her limit with her extraordinary hip movement.
mira como me tienes, mira como me tienes... que me tienes con la lengua casi afuera
According to the singer, the sandunguera's sensuality and hip movement have made him almost speechless and out of breath.
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
Chorus repeats the idea that the sandunguera goes beyond the threshold in her sensuality.
sandunga en la cinturita... sandunga en su movimiento
Sandunga means sensuality in Spanish, and the singer reiterates the connection between it and the sandunguera.
Sandunguera, que tú te vas por encima del nivel
Chorus repeats again the idea that the sandunguera's sensuality goes beyond the limit.
si sigue asi caminando ¡rompe el pavimento!
The singer jokingly stated that if the sandunguera continued her walk with captivating sensuality and hip movement, she might break the pavement.
(Intrumental)
Instrumental break in the song.
Puppy... El Sandunguero de Pogolotti.el hijo 'e Nené
The singer mentions several musicians and their nicknames to give them appreciation.
(Instrumental)
Instrumental break in the song.
¡Chango... El Misterioso... rompe la paila!
The singer continues to appreciate other musicians, conveying admiration for imperious musical solos.
Sandunguera... Sandunguera... Sandunguera... Sandunguera... Sandunguera... Sandunguera
The chorus repeats the word sandunguera to depict the seductive power of the woman's style.
¡Orlando el Viejo Ortigón... Flauta Mayor!
The singer again appreciates other musical artists.
(instrumental)
Instrumental break in the song.
¡Lazarito... El Trombón de Guanabacoa... pueblo embrujado!
Last appreciation note for another musician alongside the place they are from.
Que tú te vas por encima (x5)
Chorus repeats again the main theme of the song urging the sandunguera to control her sensuality and movement.
Contributed by Isaac Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Los Van Van
Gracias a todos los vanvaneros !!!! 💃🏽🔥
retina3c
Esta es una de mis canciones favoritas de Los Van Van💃🎵🕺
¡Viva la música Cubana!🤩👍 🇨🇺
Saludos desde Japón 👍🇯🇵 🗻
God Player 23
Los van van son unicos, Que estupenda idea de lanzar nuevamente un temón de Temónes jajaja Los amo y bendiciones!! ARRIBA PERÚ, CUBA Y TODOS LOS PAISES QUE AMÁN A LOS VAN VAN.
Eva Torriente
Mucha paz y felicidad, dónde está. Que ese gran hombre que nos dió tanto ratos de alegría y diversión. EPD por SIEMPRE
José Luis Jácome
Abrazos fuertes Van Van desde la ciudad de México les mando mis buenas vibras y gracias por subirlo 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Eduardo Hurtado
La musica es una creacion dada al hombre para plasmar y hacer vibrar sus melodíosos ritmos y sonidos.
Que bien...
Viva cuba con sus gentes y su musica...
Dios los bendiga siempre
JEANNETT Hodelin
Excelente tema Van van de siempre, wow 🤩
Manos 🙌 pa’ arriba Sandugueras kkk
Lo máximo me encanto, ese tema es para disfrutar y bailar 💃 que bien 👍
Evita Duran
Buenisimo!!! Tremenda descarga! Muchos saludos a mi gente desde Atlanta, Georgia.
Emanuel Angulo
Amo Todos Sus Temas Que Vivan Los Vanvaneos🙏🙏🙏🙏🔥
Maria Chiquiquira
Excelente orquesta felicidades