Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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These Tangos, Valses, and Milongas were recorded around the same time. Take a look to discover what else this orchestra—or others—may have recorded during the same week or even on the exact same day.
Argañaraz (Aquellas farras) is a Tango written by Enrique Cadícamo and composed by Roberto Firpo.
The lyrics of “Argañaraz (Aquellas farras)” reminisce over the rich, nostalgic past of Buenos Aires, evoking images of old friends and bygone eras filled with youthful vibrance and revelry. Cadícamo narrates a tribute to friendships and memories of previous decades, marking a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the longing for moments that “will not return to enjoy my years.” This recall of the joyful and often reckless moments spent with a rowdy group speaks to the foundational social fabric of the tango culture in Argentina during the early 20th century.
One poignant element in the lyrics is the frequent mention of ‘candombeada’, making reference to the candombe, an African influenced Uruguayan music and dance. This term symbolizes the mixture of cultures and the vibrant nightlife associated with tango, and its community. The “medias lunas” (crescent moons) symbolize the fleeting nature of the nights spent dancing and enjoying life, while “cortes y quebradas” refer to tango dance moves, imbuing the lyrics with a dynamic, dramatic texture that reflects the ups and downs of life itself. Furthermore, the references to lost peers like “el ñato Monteagudo” and “del loco Puentecito” evoke a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, questioning the whereabouts of those who shared the spirited tableau of the past.
Composed in 1944, during a time when Argentina was marked by political strife and a changing social landscape post-World War II, “Argañaraz (Aquellas farras)” serves as a vessel for reflecting social changes and enduring values through the veil of tango. Tango, during this era, was not just a dance but a cultural phenomenon that encapsulated expressions of identity, resilience, and introspection. Cadícamo uses the backdrop of Buenos Aires, individual and collective memories to speak to broader narratives of time, change, and nostalgia.
Enrique Cadícamo was a renowned Argentine lyricist and poet, celebrated for his prolific contributions to the tango genre.