Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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.
Cambalache is a Tango written by Enrique Santos Discepolo and composed by Enrique Santos Discepolo.
“Cambalache,” which translates to “junk store” or “bargain bin” in English, dives into the chaotic and morally ambiguous landscape of the 20th century. Written in 1947, Discepolo reflects on the world’s perpetual state of disorder and juxtaposes past eras with the contemporary societal issues, suggesting a constant and universal moral degradation. His vivid portrayal of a world where values are interchangeable, and integrity is negotiable sheds light on the existential discontent and the crisis of values prevalent in his time.
The song uses powerful symbolism, depicting the world as a “cambalache,” where everything is mixed up like goods in a junk store. Key phrases like “lo mismo un burro que un gran profesor” translate to “the same a donkey as a great professor,” emphasizing the dissolution of moral hierarchies where merit and wisdom no longer distinguish individuals. This erasure of moral standards is firmly critiqued by the unsettling equivalence Discepolo draws between religious figures, common criminals, and historically revered icons such as Napoleon and San Martin, all mixed in the scandalous bargain of existence.
Set in the tumultuous backdrop of post-World War II Argentina, “Cambalache” responds to the era’s political and social instability. 1947 was a time marked by rapid modernization, which often led to societal disillusionments. Discepolo captures this fervent and febrile atmosphere in his lyrics, critiquing not just local but global disillusionment. Phrases such as “El que no llora no mama y el que no afana es un gil” which translates to “He who doesn’t cry, doesn’t suckle; and he who doesn’t steal is a fool,” encapsulate a cynical view of the survival mechanisms seemingly necessary in a corrupt world.
Enrique Santos Discepolo was a renowned Argentine tango and milonga musician and composer, known for his profound and poignant lyrics addressing social and political issues.