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Dandy

Dandy is a Tango written by Lucio Demare and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1928. Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded Dandy as an instrumental Tango.
“Dandy,” or “El Dandy” in Spanish, captures the essence of elegance wrapped in an alluring melody. This music piece dances through the air, exuding a confident charm akin to a dapper figure gliding effortlessly across the floor. With every note, it whispers tales of sophistication, blending suave allure with an irresistible magnetism that captivates the listener’s heart.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Agustín Irusta, Roberto Fugazot

Author

Lucio Demare

Composer

1928/8/11

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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Dandy recorded by other Orchestras

Dandy recorded by other Orchestras

Letra del Tango Dandy

Dandy,
ahora te llaman
los que no te conocieron
cuando entonces
eras terrán,
porque pasás por niño bien
y ahora te creen que sos un gran bacán;
mas yo sé, dandy,
que sos un seco, y en el barrio
se comentan fulerías,
para tu mal…
Cuando sepan que sos confidente,
tus amigos del café
te piantarán.

Has nacido en una cuna
de malevos, calaveras,
de vivillos y otras yerbas…
Sin embargo, ¡quién diria!,
en el circo de la vida
siempre fuistes un chabón.
Entre la gente del hampa
no has tenido performance,
pero dicen los pipiolos
que se ha corrido la bolilla
y han junado que sos
un gran batidor…

Dandy,
en vez de darte
tanto corte pensá un poco
en tu viejita
y en su dolor.
Tu pobre hermana en el taller
su vida entrega con entero amor
y por las noches
su almita enferma,
con la de su madrecita
en una sola sufriendo están…
Pero un dia,
cuando nieve en tu cabeza,
a tu hermana y a tu vieja
llorarás.

English lyrics of the Tango "Dandy"

Dandy,
now they call you
those who didn’t know you
back then
when you were just a guy from the town,
because you pass as a fine young man
and now they believe you’re a great dandy;
but I know, dandy,
that you’re a nobody, and in the neighborhood
scandalous things are being said,
to your detriment…
When they find out you’re a snitch,
your cafe friends
will ditch you.

You were born in a cradle
of toughs, reckless men,
cunning folks and whatnots…
Yet, who would’ve thought!
in the circus of life
you were always just a dude.
Among the criminal crowd
you’ve had no performance,
but the rookies say
the word has spread
and they’ve figured out you are
a big talker…

Dandy,
instead of acting
so superior, think a little
about your dear mother
and her pain.
Your poor sister at the workshop
gives her life with pure love
and at night
her ailing soul,
with that of her dear mother
are suffering as one…
But one day,
when your head is snowy,
you will cry for your sister and your mother.

Dandy by Agustín Irusta, Roberto Fugazot

Dandy is a Tango written by Agustín Irusta, Roberto Fugazot and composed by Lucio Demare.



Story behind the Tango Dandy

“Dandy” portrays a character who has risen above his humble beginnings into a facade of sophistication, misleading those who didn’t know him “when he was earthly.” The lyrics explore themes of pretense, societal perception, and the eventual unavoidable reckoning with one’s genuine self and origins. It tells of a man who, despite his current grandeur as a perceived ‘great bacán’ (distinguished gentleman), is privately known in his community for a less flattering reality.



Symbolism of Dandy

The term “Dandy” itself is symbolic, representing someone who places particular importance on physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, with connotations of pretentiousness and lack of substance. Terms like “cuando entonces eras terrán,” indicating his original plain, earthly nature, contrast sharply with his current pretentious guise. The phrases “en el circo de la vida siempre fuistes un chabón” hints at life’s deceptions, where even the unserious are taken seriously, reflecting the absurdity and deception embedded in social appearances.



Dandy in historic Context

Recorded in Argentina in 1928, “Dandy” appears during a period when Tango was intensely intertwined with the everyday life and struggles of the working class, blending their joys and sorrows into a culturally resonant form. At this time, the societal divide and the aspiration for upward social mobility were palpable aspects of Argentinian society. Characters like the one in “Dandy” illustrate the complex dance between authenticity and aspiration, providing a critique of the era’s social dynamics.



Agustín Irusta, Roberto Fugazot

Agustín Irusta and Roberto Fugazot were prominent figures in the Argentine tango scene, known for their contributions to its music and lyrics, capturing the essence of their cultural time and narrating stories through Tango that resonated deeply with the public.