The most complete explanation says: 'The song relates the story of a man and a woman (Chan Chan and Juanica) who are building a house, and go to the beach to get some sand. Lyrically, the song is set on the beach and revolves around two central characters called Juanica and Chan Chan. One day I woke up hearing those four sensitive notes, I gave them a lyric inspired by a children's tale from my childhood, Juanica y Chan Chan, and you see, now it's sung everywhere. I look over the balcony and I see nobody, but I hear it as if it was played on the street. I sometimes wake up with a melody in my head, I hear the instruments, all very clear. On the composition of the song, Compay Segundo said: The song was written in 1984 by Compay Segundo, who first 'dreamt' the opening melody in his sleep and later wrote the lyrics. The song became the opening track of their eponymous album and the group's signature song, thereby achieving international fame.

In March 1996, Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa and other veteran Cuban musicians recorded a new version of the song as part of the Buena Vista Social Club project. In November 1995, Compay recorded a new version in Madrid for his Antología, released on CD the following year. However, EGREM did not release these recordings until the second half of the 1990s. In 1987, he approached Eliades Ochoa, who agreed to record a version with the Cuarteto Patria. It was first recorded in 1985 by Compay Segundo's own group. 'Chan Chan' is a 1984 son composition by Cuban trovador Compay Segundo. Buena Vista Social Club singles chronology

Chan chan song cuba