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Compadrón

Compadrón is a Tango written by Luis Visca and recorded by Carlos Gardel in 1927. The Tango Compadrón is written by Luis Visca, Carlos Gardel has recorded Compadrón with the singer Guit. José Ricardo, Guillermo Barbieri.
“Compadrón,” meaning “Big Shot” in English, is a title that instantly evokes imagery of swagger and charisma. In the dance of life, it represents one who strides with confident elegance, commanding the attention of all around. This piece of music captures the essence of someone who moves through the world with an air of assured authority and undeniable presence.

Tango

Style

Carlos Gardel

Orchestra

Guit. José Ricardo, Guillermo Barbieri

Singer

Enrique Cadícamo

Author

Luis Visca

Composer

1927/10/6

Date

Guit. José Ricardo, Guillermo Barbieri
Guit. José Ricardo, Guillermo Barbieri
Carlos Gardel
Carlos Gardel

Discover Other Orchestras

Carlos Gardel – Un tropezón – 1927/7/22
Carlos Gardel – El malevito – 1926/1/1
Carlos Gardel – Entrá nomás – 1925/1/1
Carlos Gardel – Los indios – 1922/1/1
Carlos Gardel – Murmullos (Murmuyos) – 1930/10/16
Julio De Caro – Ay Elena – 1941/1/1
Julio De Caro – Mala pinta (Mala estampa) – 1928/1/1
Julio De Caro – Era mi vida – 1939/3/17
Julio De Caro – Mala junta – 1938/11/16
Julio De Caro – Mala pata – 1936/3/13
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Brindis para la navidad – 1960/10/14
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Papá Baltasar – 1960/10/14
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – La huella – 1959/9/29
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Mi poncho tucumano – 1959/8/18
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Gardenias – 1959/8/18
Roberto Firpo – Viejo tango – 1931/8/13
Roberto Firpo – Tristeza criolla (2) – 1941/5/16
Roberto Firpo – Quién será – 1940/9/28
Roberto Firpo – En un rincon de Sevilla – 1932/2/18
Roberto Firpo – La montonera – 1930/3/6

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.

Compadrón recorded by other Orchestras

Compadrón recorded by other Orchestras

1927/10/6 – Nostalgias (3) – Roberto Firpo
1927/10/6 – La chiflada – Roberto Firpo
1927/10/6 – Ebrio – Carlos Gardel
1927/10/6 – Sonia – Carlos Gardel
1927/10/6 – Viejo curda – Carlos Gardel
Compadron – 1942/12/22 – Juan D-Arienzo – Hector Maure
Compadron – 1949/8/16 – Alfredo De Angelis – Carlos Dante
Compadron – 1927/10/6 – Carlos Gardel – Guit. Jose Ricardo
Guillermo Barbieri
Compadron – 1940/1/26 – Quinteto Don Pancho (Francisco Canaro) – Instrumental

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Compadrón

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

Letra del Tango Compadrón

Compadrito a la violeta,

si te viera Juan Malevo

qué calor te haría pasar.

No tenés siquiera un cacho

de ese barro chapaleado

por los mozos del lugar.

El escudo de los guapos

no te cuenta entre sus gules

por razones de valer.

Tus ribetes de compadre

te engrupieron, no lo dudes.

¡Ya sabrás por qué!



Compadrón

prontuariado de vivillo

entre los amigotes que te siguen,

sos pa’ mí, aunque te duela,

compadre sin escuela, retazo de bacán.

Compadrón,

cuando quedes viejo y solo (¡Colo!)

y remanyes tu retrato (¡Gato!),

notarás que nada has hecho…

Tu berretín deshecho

verás desmoronar.



En la timba de la vida

sos un punto sin arrastre

sobre el naipe salidor,

y en la cancha de este mundo

sos un débil pa’l biabazo,

el chamuyo y el amor.

Aunque busques en tu verba

pintorescos contraflores

pa’ munirte de cachet,

yo me digo a la sordina

¡Dios te ayude, compadrito

de papel maché!

English lyrics of the Tango "Compadrón"

Fake tough guy,
if Juan Malevo saw you,
he’d surely make you sweat.
You don’t even have a bit
of the mud splashed about
by the young men of this place.

The shield of the brave
doesn’t count you among its red,
for reasons of worth.
Your edges of pretense
have deceived you, don’t doubt it.
You’ll soon learn why!

Big shot,
recorded as a cunning friend
among the buddies who follow you,
you are to me, though it hurts,
a comrade without schooling, a slice of a swell.
Big shot,
when you’re old and alone (Old man!)
and you paw over your portrait (Cat!),
you’ll realize you’ve achieved nothing…
Your shattered dream
you will see collapse.

In the gamble of life,
you’re a dot without traction
on the winning card,
and in the field of this world,
you’re weak for the punch,
the chatter, and love.
Though you search in your talk
for picturesque retorts
to arm yourself with style,
I whisper to myself,
God help you, little paper-mache tough guy!

Compadrón by Enrique Cadícamo

Compadrón is a Tango written by Enrique Cadícamo and composed by Luis Visca.

Story behind the Tango Compadrón

“Compadrón” delves into the world of barrio bravado and swagger, critiquing a figure who adopts the outward appearance of a tough guy without any real substance or respect from the community. The lyrics speak to a character, admonishing him for his lack of genuine toughness and failure to live up to the real codes of the streets. Cadícamo uses vivid, everyday language to illustrate a critique of those who pretend to be more influential or intimidating than they truly are.

Symbolism of Compadrón

Cadícamo employs terms like “prontuariado de vivillo,” transforming the protagonist into a pseudo-tough figure, known more for trivial mischief than any real feats. The reference to “tu berretín deshecho” symbolizes shattered illusions, highlighting the inevitable downfall of maintaining such a facade. The imagery in “compadrito de papel maché” suggests the frailty and superficial nature of the character’s tough exterior, likening it to a fragile, easily destructible material.

Compadrón in historic Context

Written in 1927, during a vibrant era of tango’s evolution in Argentina, “Compadrón” reflects the societal dynamics and urban lifestyle of Buenos Aires. This period was marked by a mix of hope and struggle, where the figure of the ‘compadrito’—a city-slicker or streetwise man—was a popular but sometimes criticized figure in Argentine folklore. This tango, therefore, can be seen as a reflection on the authenticity of such characters and their real contributions to society.

Enrique Cadícamo

Enrique Cadícamo was a renowned Argentine poet and tango lyricist, whose contributions have left a lasting impact on the genre.