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.
Como dos extraños is a Tango written by José María Contursi and composed by Pedro Laurenz.
Como dos extraños” (“Like Two Strangers”) tells a poignant story of lost love and the estrangement between former lovers who reunite only to find they have become strangers to each other. The narrator, consumed by loneliness and the fear of dying away from his beloved, seeks her out, hoping she would be his salvation. However, upon encountering her, he is confronted by the painful realization that time has transformed her into a stranger, extinguishing their previous flame of passion and connection.
The lyrics are filled with powerful symbols of despair and disillusionment. Phrases like “Me acobardó la soledad” (Loneliness frightened me) and “el miedo enorme de morir lejos de ti” (the huge fear of dying far from you) showcase the intense fear and emptiness felt in the absence of the loved one. The cold, distant interaction between the reunited couple is sharply contrasted with their warm past, symbolized by “Palideció la luz del sol al escucharte” (The sun’s light faded as I listened to you). This comparison emphasizes the drastic change and disconnection, further highlighted by “Son mil fantasmas, al volver burlándose de mí” (A thousand ghosts mock me upon returning), suggesting that memories of the past now haunt and torment the narrator.
Recorded in 1940 in Argentina, “Como dos extraños” reflects a period when Tango was deeply rooted in the societal and cultural fabric of the country, often used as an outlet for expressing personal tragedy and societal melancholy. The 1940s were times of political and social change worldwide, including Argentina. The Tango served not only as entertainment but also as a commentary on personal and collective experiences, with Contursi’s lyrics vividly painting emotional landscapes that resonated with many facing separation and loss during turbulent times.
José María Contursi was a renowned Argentine poet and lyricist, famed for his contributions to the Tango genre, whose evocative lyrics often dealt with themes of love, loss, and longing.