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.
Arrabalero is a Tango written by Eduardo Calvo and composed by Osvaldo Fresedo.
“Arrabalero” delves into the life and emotions of a suburban woman, or “pebeta,” who revels in the passion and complexity of her relationships within the rough neighborhood, or “arrabal.” The lyrics unfold her story as a cherished lover of a local tough, known as a “malevo,” expressing her pride and self-identity intertwined with her love. She navigates love’s pains and triumphs in a setting that blends dreams with harsh realities, ultimately embracing her role as fiercely loyal, even in the face of potential betrayal.
The lyric “Soy la pebeta más rechiflada que en el suburbio pasó la vida” employs symbolism of self-acceptance and pride, highlighting her distinctive identity in the community. The recurring term “arrabalero” symbolizes not just locality but also a particular lifestyle steeped in authenticity and raw emotion. Furthermore, terms like “bulín mistongo,” a modest, hidden place, symbolize the personal and discreet nature of their love, underscoring intimacy against the backdrop of a bustling, unforgiving environment.
Recorded in 1927, “Arrabalero” emerges during a blossoming era of tango, where the dance and music served as expressions of the urban lower-class life in Argentina. The song captures the zeitgeist of Buenos Aires’s arrabales (suburbs) where the tango culture was vibrantly alive, detailing the essence of suburban love, loyalty, and the gritty realism of its people’s lives. The reference to “Puente Alsina” locates the narrative precisely within a notorious locale known for its vibrant, often rowdy tango scene, framing the story within the authentic environments that gave birth to the tango itself.
Eduardo Calvo, the lyricist of “Arrabalero,” is renowned for capturing the intricate emotions and lives of the porteños (residents of Buenos Aires) through his tango compositions.