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 shop” or “bargain” in English, is a tango filled with critical views on societal decay and moral decline. Written in 1934, its lyrics reflect despair and disillusionment about society’s ethics and values during a tumultuous period in Argentina. The song suggests that chaos has become normal and ethics interchangeable, challenging listeners to reconsider their own moral standing in a world of general upheaval.
The song uses a mix of everyday characters and historical figures to symbolize the breakdown of traditional values and the rise of moral ambiguity. Phrases like “Que el mundo fue y será una porquería” (The world has been and will always be rubbish) establish a bleak worldview. Its reference to a “cambalache,” a place where items, valuable or worthless, are indistinguishably mixed, starkly symbolizes a society where moral distinctions are no longer clear. Discepolo paints a picture where saints and sinners, the educated and the ignorant are all jumbled together, diluting individual responsibility and virtues.
“Cambalache” was written during the Infamous Decade, a period in Argentine history characterized by fraud, corruption, and the rise of authoritarianism following the 1930 coup. The lyrics’ mention of being born either honest or otherwise having no relevance reflects the pervasive feelings of disenfranchisement among people witnessing rampant corruption and societal disarray. The global reference to years “quinientos seis” (506) and “dos mil” (2000) hints at the timeless and universal nature of these issues, implicating a never-ending cycle of moral degradation.
An Argentine musician, playwright, and composer, Enrique Santos Discepolo is renowned for his poignant contributions to the tango genre, often infusing his works with deep social and political commentary.