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.
Barro is a Tango written by Horacio Sanguinetti and composed by Osvaldo Pugliese.
The lyrics of “Barro” explore themes of despair, loneliness, and a desire to forget the painful past. The narrator expresses a deep sense of betrayal and heartache, feeling tainted and soiled by the mud (“barro”), which serves as a metaphor for the unclean and unwanted elements of life. The protagonist’s struggle with this emotional turmoil leads them to a point where the prospect of death seems a more peaceful alternative to the relentless suffering. However, amidst this darkness, there is a yearning for a redemptive love, a miraculous force that could bring back life and cleanse them of their pain.
“Barro,” meaning ‘mud’ in English, is rich in symbolism throughout this tango. It represents the filth of betrayal and the residual pain left by those who deceive and hurt. The tango uses domestic objects and scenarios to symbolize larger existential themes, enhancing the melancholy and emotional intensity of the narrative. The recurring idea of wiping the snow of sorrow with “two good hands” further captures this longing for purity, for someone to erase the traces of past hurt. Horacio Sanguinetti effectively uses vivid imagery of disillusionment, turning ordinary elements into symbols of deeper personal and collective struggles.
Written in 1952, a period marked by political and social upheaval in Argentina, “Barro” perhaps mirrors the prevailing mood of uncertainty and disillusionment. Argentina during the early ’50s was experiencing significant social changes and political unrest. In this context, the themes of disillusionment and betrayal reflected in “Barro” could be seen as metaphors for the broader societal experiences of that era, expressing a common sentiment of disenchantment among citizens grappling with the challenges of the time.
Horacio Sanguinetti was a prolific Argentine lyricist known for his deep and poignant tango lyrics that often explored themes of love, betrayal, and existential sorrow.