Chan Chan is a Cuban son - a 1984 composition by Compay Segundo. It was first recorded in 1985 by Segundo and his group, with later versions in 1987 by Eliades Ochoa and Cuarteto Patria that were not released by EGREM until the late 1990s - a Madrid recording in 1995 for the Antología preceded a 1996 Buena Vista Social Club session. The song opens the Buena Vista Social Club album (released 1997) and became the group's signature tune - a track that helped bring Cuban son to international fame. The 1997 single Chan Chan - produced by Ry Cooder - runs 4 minutes 16 seconds and is classified as Son cubano. The lyrics describe a beach setting with two lovers, Juanica and Chan Chan, and feature the chorus that mentions the towns Alto Cedro, Marcané, Cueto and Mayarí.
