El Bodeguero is a Spanish-language cha-cha-cha written by the Cuban flautist and musician Richard Egües, who is credited as its sole composer. Egües joined the Cuban charanga band Orquesta Aragón in 1955, and the band recorded the song in November of that year. It was first released in 1956 on the album That Cuban Cha-Cha-Cha, issued by RCA Victor. The American singer Nat King Cole recorded it in August 1958, and his version helped popularise the song beyond Cuba. Later recordings include versions by Percy Faith, Lisa Ono and David Murray. The tune is cited among the classic cha-cha-cha hits, and it is written in the cha-cha-cha rhythm that gave the dance its name.
