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.
Cotorrita de la suerte is a Tango written by and composed by Alfredo De Franco.
The tango “Cotorrita de la suerte” tells the poignant tale of a young factory worker, or ‘obrerita,’ who is grappling with the reality of her declining health. At night, she suffers from a persistent cough that underscores her dire situation. Despite her once vibrant and joyful demeanor, she now faces lengthy hours of agony brought on by a terminal condition, about which she is dreadfully aware. This tango captures her poignant anticipation of a better future drawn from the fortune-telling parrot’s predictions, which serves as a false hope in the grim reality of her situation.
The primary symbol in the lyrics is the “Cotorrita de la suerte” or the “fortune-telling parrot.” It represents the fragile hope and escapism that people cling to when faced with harsh realities. The colour pink of the paper the parrot selects suggests a sense of fleeting optimism or a romantic idealism that belies the obrerita’s tragic circumstances. The young woman’s eager gaze at the promise of a “novio” (boyfriend) and a “long life” is a poignant moment, encapsulating the tension between hope and despair. The question she asks as she dies—”¿No llegó?” or “Did he not arrive?”—underscores the deep yearning for love and fulfillment that remains unfulfilled.
Composed in 1945 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, this tango emerges at a time when the city was a bustling hub of cultural innovation and economic uncertainty. Post-World War II, Argentine society grappled with social changes, and the plight of the working class was a pressing issue. Buenos Aires, particularly, was marked by stark contrasts between opulence and poverty. The story of the obrerita can be seen as a reflection of the struggles faced by many working-class women in this era, coping with poor health conditions and limited opportunities, relying on superstitions and small glimpses of hope to break the monotony of hard living conditions.