Tango songs have a variety of themes, the most widespread one being love (usually lost love, unfortunately), but also friendship, the harshness of life, gambling… Tango also has another favourite theme: tango itself!
With the expansion of modern media, tango songs became more and more widely broadcast in Argentina – whether on radio, at theaters or in magazines. At this point, tango music became omnipresent and an integral part of Argentine culture and lyrics started to talk about tango from several aspects.
Tango as a dance – tango started as a music style but some songs soon made reference to the dance
Del canyengue de algun tango en los brazos de algun gil P. Contursi, Flor de Tango, 1917 |
On the beat of some tango in the arms of some idiot |
Así se baila el tango, mezclando el aliento, cerrando los ojos pa’ escuchar mejor como los violines le cuentan a los fueyes por que desde esa noche Malena no cantó… Marvil, Asi se baila el tango, 1942 – |
This is how to dance tango, |
Tango and seduction: of course, tango has always been associated with night life and with seduction
Y en aquellas noches de verano que sonaba tu almita, mujer, al oir en la esquina algun tango chamuyarte de amor? S. Linning, Milonguita, 1920 |
And in these summer nights, what did your little soul dream about, woman, when hearing from around the corner some tango sweet-talking you about love? |
Tango as a person: with tango becoming such an omnipresent part of the culture, before long it became a ‘person’ one would refer to.
Soy el tango milongon nacido en los suburbios malevos y turbios. H. Exposito, ‘Yo soy el tango’, 1941 |
I am the tango from the milonga, born in the ciminal and murky slums. |
Tango, tango vos que fuiste el amigo confidente de su amor… H. Pettorossi, ‘Lo han visto con otra’, 1928 |
Tango, tango, you were the friend she confided her love to… |
Abrazo,
Nati & Bruno
Source:
Tango, la mezcla milagrosa, un ensayo de Carlos Mina