Havana Affair

"Havana Affair" was written by Dee Dee amd Johnny as a fictional spy movie, probably around the obvious pun (havin' an affair). The song is notable for the guitar breaks, where Johnny makes his first use of the sliding barre chords later heard in "Commando." (Dee Dee wrote the riff for "Chinese Rocks," which Johnny Thunders recorded before the Ramones version)

Its about a farmer who was employed by the CIA to spy on the communists in Cuba, thousands of ordinary anti-communist people became spies for the Americans, especially around the Cuban missile crisis.Or at least thats what i think.

This is song as abovementioned refers to the bay of pigs invasion. As for the word "banana" it is been said that it refers to the great influence that the united fruit company (now united brands corporation --> chiquita) has had on us foreign affairs policy in south america. In particular that company through us intelligence agencies interfered in the interior of several latin american countries and even set up dictatorships when its interests where at risk. Anyway it is just one interpretation.I do not thing that the particular incident in cuba had anything to do with the united fruit company.

It sounds like it's about Capitalism vs Communism and how normal people are actually affected by this, not just politicians

Chili Peppers did a version of this song. The Ramones' version was SO much better.

I think its about the USA's interference withy everything and everyone. It sounds like they are taking advantage of poor, uneducated civilians and getting them to stab their own country in the back. The Ramones were pretty politically minded and this is their interpretation on the American government. The Chilis did a pretty mad cover of this song.

Oiroberto, to be fair...

The Cubans who invaded the Bay of Pigs were trained and equipped by the CIA. They were not stabbing their own country in the back, they were counter-backstabbing the communists, who were the original backstabbers. No one in their right minds willingly embraces communism. Cuba was only independent due to American aid in the first place. They have always liked us, for the most part. Castro, Che, etc do not represent what Cuba is about. When a couple of revolutionaries on an island near your country ally with another country threating to destroy you and all of your people, you don't sit there and do nothing. And when those same commies attempt to repress their own people for their own political ends (power, not equality) you give them a hand. Win win. Pretty obvious really.

Great song, too.

'It's Alive' by the Ramones is the best punk album ever and Havana Affair which runs right into Commando is so great!

This song makes me crack up, the way he says "Pickin da bananah" is hilarious

this song kicks so much ass