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Café

Café is a Tango written by Enrique Rodríguez and recorded by Enrique Rodríguez in 1946. The Tango Café is written by Enrique Rodríguez, Enrique Rodríguez has recorded Café with the singer Armando Moreno.
“Café,” which translates to “Coffee” in English, evokes the warmth and depth found in a cherished cup. The melody dances like the steam rising from a fresh brew, swirling with memories, swirling with longing. Each note lingers, echoing the intimate conversations and silent reflections cradled within a cozy café’s embrace.

Tango

Style

Enrique Rodríguez

Orchestra

Armando Moreno

Singer

Rafael Tuegols

Author

Enrique Rodríguez

Composer

1946/1/9

Date

Armando Moreno
Armando Moreno
Enrique Rodríguez
Enrique Rodríguez

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Lyrics Translation of the Tango Café

This is the translation of the Tango “Café” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Café” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Café

Tiemblan viejos tangos
En la victrola gangosa,
Sueña, mientras fumo
Mi corazón, tantas cosas.
Aquí, en este cafecito de arrabal
Yo he pasado media vida,
Media vida de muchacho soñador
Que esperaba un gran amor,
El amor que llegó
Y después se fue.

Rinconcito del café donde leí
Los poemas de Almafuerte,
Y en mi negra mala suerte
Penetraba más sincero,
Le he hecho versos a mi madre
Que tanto quiero.

Cafecito de mi barrio donde ayer,
Esperaba a la Mireya,
Hoy por entre la nevera
Y en la estrella de la esquina,
Me parece, que aparece
Llamándome.

English lyrics of the Tango "Café"

Old tangos tremble
On the hoarse victrola,
Dreaming, as I smoke
My heart, so many things.
Here, in this little suburban café
I’ve spent half my life,
Half my life as a dreaming boy
Waiting for a great love,
The love that arrived
And then departed.

Little corner of the café where I read
The poems by Almafuerte,
And in my dark bad luck
It seeped more sincerely,
I’ve written verses to my mother
Whom I love so much.

Little café in my neighborhood where yesterday,
I waited for Mireya,
Today through the fridge
And on the corner star,
It seems to me, that she appears
Calling me.

Café by Rafael Tuegols

Café is a Tango written by Rafael Tuegols and composed by Enrique Rodríguez.



Story behind the Tango Café

The lyrics of “Café” explore a deep emotional journey tied to a simple, local café where the narrator has spent a significant part of his life. This café is depicted not just as a physical space but as a repository of memories and pivotal life experiences. From hopeful youthful dreams to encountering profound love and enduring heartache, the café witnesses it all. Notably, the café serves as a backdrop where personal and poetic inspirations converge, enriched by readings from Almafuerte, suggesting a blend of personal resilience and literary influence in shaping the character’s life narrative.



Symbolism of Café

The café in Rafael Tuegols’ Tango symbolizes more than just a mere setting; it represents a sanctuary of dreams, memories, and emotional milestones. The phrase “en este cafecito de arrabal,” conveys the café’s location in a marginalized suburban area, hinting at a humble, unpretentious place that holds profound personal significance. The reference to the tangos “tiemblan viejos tangos en la victrola gangosa,” alongside the act of “mientras fumo,” evoke a sense of nostalgia and a passage of time, which are central to the thematic essence of Tango itself. The café also acts as a beacon, calling back to cherished moments, notably with Mireya, whom the narrator waited for, blending personal loss and the enduring wait for possibly unrequited love.



Café in Historic Context

The “Café” tango was created in 1946, during a time when Argentina was undergoing significant social and political transformations post-World War II. The local café culture was a pivotal element of Argentine social life, providing a communal space for discussions, artistic expression, and intimate encounters. Thus, the café embodies not just personal but collective histories, mirroring societal changes and the role of such communal spaces in fostering cultural dialogues. This historical backdrop enriches the song’s expressiveness, depicting how personal and social histories intertwine within shared spaces.



Rafael Tuegols

Rafael Tuegols was a noteworthy figure in the Tango scene, renowned for integrating profound emotional depth and local color into his compositions.