Onda Vaga begins in January 2007 in the magic beaches of Cabo Polonio, Urug… Read Full Bio ↴Onda Vaga begins in January 2007 in the magic beaches of Cabo Polonio, Uruguay; when Nacho Rodríguez and Marcelo Blanco (former Doris) along with Marcos Orellana and Tomás Gaggero (Michael Mike) prepare an acoustic set (acoustic guitar, cuatro, trumpet, cajon) with their own songs to play some gigs during their vacations. In May 2007, back in Argentina, a new member joins the group: Germán Cohen (Satélite Kingston and Orquesta de salón), adding his voice and the smooth colour of his trombon to the band. The debut in Buenos Aires, Argentina comes in August 2007, in Tosto, since then, and strengthened by the final dissolution of Doris (Marcelo and Nacho's 7 year old former band, one of the most influential psychedelic indie rock bands in Argentina) the “vagos” play several times in venues such as Radio Nacional, Chacarerean Theatre, Teatro de la Cooperación, Biblioteca Nacional, etc. They also play in almost any social event they are invited to (parties, bernissages, birthdays, etc.) thanks to the mobility of their instruments and the joyous nature of their presentations. During April 2008, they perform in Castorera a series of sold out gigs introducing to the audience what would become Onda Vaga's first album, “Fuerte y Caliente." With deep existencial yet simple lyrics, choral and harmonic arrangements, and high spirited live performances, this mix of rumba-cumbia-reggae-folk-rock-happytango brings lots of new fans to each show. All five musicians came from Buenos Aires' rock culture, but now they've loosened their attachment to wires and distortions offering themselves to the audience in the way they know the best: having fun.

Havana affair
Onda Vaga Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

PT-boat on the way to Havana
I used to make a living, man
Pickin' the banana.
Now I'm a guy for the CIA
Hooray for the USA!

Baby, baby, make me loco
Baby, baby, make me mambo.

Sent to spy on a Cuban talent show
First stop - Havana go-go
I used to make a living, man
Pickin' the banana
Hooray, for Havana!

Baby, baby, make me loco
Baby, baby, make me mambo

PT-boat on the way to Havana
I used to make a living, man
Pickin' the banana
Now I'm a guy for the CIA
Hooray for the USA!

Baby, baby, make me a loco
Baby, baby, make me a mambo

Sent to spy on a Cuban talent show
First stop - Havana go-go
I used to make a living, man
Smokin' marijuana
Hooray for Havana!

Baby, baby, make me loco
Baby, baby, make me mambo

Overall Meaning

The song "Havana Affair" by Onda Vaga tells the story of a man who used to pick bananas for a living but is now working for the CIA and sent to spy on a Cuban talent show in Havana. The song starts with the singer on his way to Havana on a PT boat, reminiscing about his old job, and celebrating his new role in the CIA. The singer is excited about his new job, which leads to the repetition of the phrase "Hooray for the USA." The chorus, which is repeated multiple times in the song, is a plea to his lover to make him "loco" and "mambo," which could be interpreted as a desire to feel alive and passionate in the midst of his dangerous mission.

The second verse describes the singer's mission in Havana, where he attends a go-go show and is tasked with spying on the Cuban performers. This verse also includes a reference to smoking marijuana, suggesting that the singer may be tempted to indulge in the pleasures of Havana, even as he carries out his mission. The chorus is repeated once again, emphasizing the singer's desire to feel alive and passionate, even in the midst of danger.

Overall, "Havana Affair" captures the tension and excitement of espionage in a foreign land, as well as the desire for pleasure and excitement that can coexist alongside danger and risk.

Line by Line Meaning

PT-boat on the way to Havana
We’re aboard a PT-boat heading towards Havana.

I used to make a living, man, Pickin' the banana.
I used to work in agriculture picking bananas to earn a living.

Now I'm a guy for the CIA Hooray for the USA!
Currently, I work for the CIA and I'm proud to represent my country USA.

Baby, baby, make me loco Baby, baby, make me mambo.
Dear baby, please make me crazy and dance the mambo with me.

Sent to spy on a Cuban talent show First stop - Havana go-go
We were assigned to gather intel by observing a talent show in Havana, starting with a go-go show.

Hooray, for Havana! Baby, baby, make me loco Baby, baby, make me mambo.
We celebrate being in Havana and ask our partner to go wild and dance the mambo with us.

I used to make a living, man, Pickin' the banana Hooray, for Havana!
I used to work in agriculture picking bananas to earn a living, but being in Havana makes me happy.

Baby, baby, make me loco Baby, baby, make me mambo
Dear baby, please make me crazy and dance the mambo with me.

PT-boat on the way to Havana I used to make a living, man Pickin' the banana
We're on our way to Havana on a PT-boat, and I used to work in agriculture picking bananas to earn a living.

Now I'm a guy for the CIA Hooray for the USA!
Currently, I work for the CIA and I'm proud to represent my country USA.

Baby, baby, make me a loco Baby, baby, make me a mambo
Dear baby, please make me crazy and dance the mambo with me.

Sent to spy on a Cuban talent show First stop - Havana go-go
We were assigned to gather intel by observing a talent show in Havana, starting with a go-go show.

I used to make a living, man Smokin' marijuana Hooray for Havana!
I used to smoke marijuana to escape reality and earn a living, but being in Havana makes me happy.

Baby, baby, make me loco Baby, baby, make me mambo
Dear baby, please make me crazy and dance the mambo with me.

Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS