Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Castañuelas

Castañuelas is a Tango written by Alberto Castillo and recorded by Carlos di Sarli in 1954. The Tango Castañuelas is written by Alberto Castillo, Carlos di Sarli has recorded Castañuelas with the singer Mario Pomar.
“Castañuelas,” or “Castanets” in English, captures the rhythmic heartbeat of a traditional Spanish dance. The wooden percussion instruments click and clatter like a passionate conversation, embodying the fiery spirit of flamenco. With each resonant beat, they weave stories of love and longing, drawing listeners into a whirlwind of sound and emotion.

Tango

Style

Carlos di Sarli

Orchestra

Mario Pomar

Singer

Raúl Hormaza

Author

Alberto Castillo

Composer

1954/12/7

Date

Mario Pomar
Mario Pomar
Carlos di Sarli
Carlos di Sarli

Discover Other Orchestras

Recommended

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.

Castañuelas recorded by other Orchestras

Castañuelas recorded by other Orchestras

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Castañuelas

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

Letra del Tango Castañuelas

Estoy que exploto de bronca
No hay derecho, mis amigos,
Que a nuestro tango querido
Lo quieran desfigurar.
Está bien que vengan booggies
Dixiland, foxtrots y mambos,
Pero que nos manden tangos
Ya no se puede aguantar.

¿Dónde vieron castañuelas
marcando ritmo en el tango?
Como el coso este de Hernando
Que lo acaban de importar.
Que se esconde en su cuartito
Justo el día del casorio,
Porque quiere dormir solo
De vergüenza que le da.

¡Castañuelas…!
Dejalo tranquilo al tango.
Qué te hicimos a vos, Hernando
Pa´ quererlo disfrazar.
¡Oiga, Hernando…!
Ahí le mando una victrola
Con selecciones de Arolas,
Y salute, che, ¡Good bye!

Nuestro tango es otra cosa
Es ternura, madre, ruego,
Alegría de mi pueblo
Sentimiento y emoción.
Es un cacho de San Telmo
De Pompeya y Puente Alsina,
El alma de mi argentina
Metida en un bandoneón.


En qué corso te premiaron
Explicámelo, che Hernando,
¡Castañuelas en el tango
para marcar el compás!
Tomá pronto la “Panagra”
Aterrizá por Corrientes,
Hacete un poco de ambiente
Y después me la contás…

English lyrics of the Tango "Castañuelas"

I’m exploding with anger
There’s no justice, my friends,
That our beloved tango
They want to disfigure.
It’s fine if boogies come
Dixieland, foxtrots and mambos,
But sending us tangos that way
That’s hard to endure.

Where have you seen castanets
Marking rhythm in tango?
Like this thing from Hernando
Which they just imported.
He hides in his little room
On the very day of the wedding,
Because he wants to sleep alone
From the shame that he feels.

Castanets…!
Leave tango alone.
What did we do to you, Hernando
To make you want to disguise it.
Listen, Hernando…!
I’m sending you a gramophone
With selections from Arolas,
And regards, hey, goodbye!

Our tango is something else
It’s tenderness, mother, plea,
Joy of my people
Feeling and emotion.
It’s a piece of San Telmo
Of Pompeya and Puente Alsina,
The soul of my Argentina
Contained in a bandoneon.

In what parade did they award you
Explain it to me, hey Hernando,
Castanets in the tango
To keep the beat!
Take the “Panagra” soon
Land on Corrientes,
Get a bit of the atmosphere
And then you can tell me about it…

Castañuelas by Alberto Castillo

Castañuelas is a Tango written by Alberto Castillo.

Story behind the Tango Castañuelas

The song “Castañuelas” is an impassioned defense of traditional tango music by Alberto Castillo, who was deeply rooted in the rich cultural fabric of Buenos Aires. It tells the story of a lament and frustration expressed towards the perceived degradation and dilution of tango’s essence through foreign influences. The narrative is directed at a character named Hernando, who symbolizes this external intrusion into the authenticity of tango. The lyricist defends tango as a vital piece of Argentine identity, an embodiment of the nation’s soul and spirit.

Symbolism of Castañuelas

Throughout the lyrics, the castanets (“castañuelas”) serve as a powerful symbol of foreign elements encroaching upon and altering the pure form of tango. The castanets, typically associated with Spanish music and flamenco, are portrayed as inappropriate for marking the rhythm of tango. Phrases like “Dejalo tranquilo al tango” (“Leave the tango alone”) and “Nuestro tango es otra cosa” (“Our tango is something else”) underscore the theme of preserving tango’s unique emotional and cultural expression. The demand for purity in tango reflects a deeper struggle for cultural preservation amidst globalization.

Castañuelas in historic Context

Written in 1954, “Castañuelas” emerged in a time when Buenos Aires was experiencing significant cultural and musical diversification. The introduction of new music styles like boogies, Dixieland, foxtrot, and mambo was seen as challenging the traditional forms of Argentine music. This era marked a shift as Argentina opened up to global influences, yet these changes also threatened to overshadow tango, which had been a definitive cultural expression since the late 19th century. Buenos Aires’ street names, such as San Telmo, Pompeya, and Puente Alsina, are notable areas celebrated as bastions of traditional tango, providing a tangible connection to tango’s roots and enhancing the poignancy of Castillo’s plea.

Alberto Castillo

Alberto Castillo was a renowned Argentine tango singer and composer known for his passionate performances and dedication to the authenticity of tango music. His works are celebrated for capturing the emotional and cultural complexity of Argentine life.