Amores viejos by Mario Battistella

Amores viejos is a Tango written by Mario Battistella and composed by Enrique Delfino.

Story behind the Tango Amores viejos

“Amores viejos” translates to “Old loves” in English, capturing a theme of nostalgia and longing for past relationships. The lyrics recount the narrator discovering an old photograph of a woman, sparking memories and a torrent of emotions. Battistella writes about the pain of love lost and the haunting beauty of youth, portrayed through the imagery of old letters and a youthful portrait. The protagonists’ wistfulness and sorrow at missing a past love create a compelling story of emotional depth rooted in personal history.

Symbolism of Amores viejos

The lyrics of “Amores viejos” are replete with symbolism. The “cartas de ayer” (yesterday’s letters) symbolize the remnants and memories of past relationships, suggesting a physical representation of emotional baggage and connections that linger. The “retrato” (portrait) of the woman serves as a catalyst, igniting old emotions and symbolically portraying the woman as both literally and metaphorically captured in time. The woman’s “trenzas con rayos de sol” (braids with sunbeams) and “ojos traidores” (traitorous eyes) use natural imagery and notions of betrayal to deepen the sense of loss and the complexity of past love, indicating both warmth and potential deceit.

Amores viejos in historic Context

Composed in 1934 in Argentina, “Amores viejos” was created during a period when Tango was a dominant cultural expression, serving both to entertain and to communicate deeper societal and personal feelings. During this era, Tango lyrics often reflected themes of melancholy, love, and nostalgia, mirroring a society grappling with modernity and the complexities of human relationships. Battistella’s choice of words and the accompanying music by Enrique Delfino resonate with the expressive needs of that time, providing a musical outlet for collective and individual sentiment.

Mario Battistella

Mario Battistella was an influential Argentine lyricist known for his profound contributions to the genre of Tango, often collaborating with notable composers to create classics that resonate with the ethos of Argentine culture.