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.
De barro is a Tango written by Homero Manzi and composed by Sebastián Piana.
“De barro” (Made of Clay) poignantly explores themes of reflection, regret, and the ephemeral nature of life and relationships. The lyricist uses the metaphor of staring at one’s life in the reflection of a puddle, suggesting a moment of introspection and the transient, muddy clarity that life sometimes offers. This reflection includes “lost hours” and “withered dreams,” pointing to a past filled with missed opportunities and unfulfilled desires. The presence and reappearance of a beloved’s eyes in this muddy mirror drive the narrator to confront his past actions, filled with neglect and heartache.
The recurring image of “el espejo de barro” (mirror of clay) symbolizes the murky, unclear perceptions we have of our lives and actions. Clay, being a natural and malleable material, symbolizes how our perceptions and memories can be shaped and reshaped, but also how they can be fragile and easily marred. The “fantasma de mi cigarro” (ghost of my cigarette) further enhances the theme of impermanence and the hazy, smoke-filled filter through which the narrator views his past actions and their consequences on his lost love. The contrast between the physical presence of the cigarette and its ephemeral smoke mirrors the tangible yet fleeting nature of human emotions and relationships.
“De barro” was penned in 1943, a time when Argentina was experiencing significant political and social changes that could influence its poignant reflection on personal mistakes and societal values regarding responsibility and remorse. The tango, a dance intimately connected with expressions of passion, sorrow, and sometimes defiance, serves as a perfect vehicle for Manzi’s introspective lyrics. It was a period marked by the rise of Peronism, and the themes of introspection and regret in the tango could be reflecting a broader societal need for introspection and addressing past injustices or failures.
Homero Manzi was a prominent Argentine lyricist, famed for his poignant and evocative lyrics that are often infused with deep sentimentality and reflection on human emotions and social issues.