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