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.
Che Cristóbal is a Tango written by Roberto Vallejos and composed by Orlando Calautti.
The lyrics open with a dramatic call to address concerns about Cristóbal’s lifestyle, suggested by the phrase “A pedido de tus viejos, vine a hablarte, che Cristóbal”. This dialogue sets the stage for an intervention, as the speaker advises Cristóbal to change his wayward behavior, metaphorically described as changing the “needle” of his “mental membrane”. The narrative reveals Cristóbal as a persistent nonconformist, resistant to work and traditional societal expectations, indulging in a life that veers off the expected path thrillingly but unproductively.
In the tango, Cristóbal’s contrasting life choices are vividly depicted through the symbolic imagery of him wandering the streets late at night, juxtaposed against his father’s disciplined morning routine to work. The term “Vagoneta” implies a carefree, possibly reckless attitude, suggesting Cristóbal’s disregard for societal norms and familial duties. References to the neighborhood’s negative perception reinforce the societal disapproval of his unorthodox lifestyle. This juxtaposition serves as a poignant reminder of the community’s values and the strain placed on familial bonds by individual choices.
Released in 1958, “Che Cristóbal” reflects mid-20th century societal values in Argentina, where familial duty and traditional work ethics were highly esteemed. The song showcases the generational conflict and societal pressures to conform to a productive, respectable lifestyle, emblematic of the broader cultural narrative during the post-war period in Argentina. This song, delivered as a Tango, uses its emotive and dramatic undertones to emphasize the urgency and emotional weight of its message.
Roberto Vallejos is renowned for his poignant contributions to the world of Tango, capturing the essence of Argentine culture and human emotions through his evocative lyrics.