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.
De puro guapo is a Tango written by Francisco García Jiménez and composed by Pedro Laurenz.
The lyrics of “De puro guapo” unfold a narrative steeped in melancholy and yearning, articulated through the imagery of a solitary night, a bandoneón, and unfulfilled longing. The central theme revolves around loss and the struggle to reconcile with the past, as expressed through the protagonist’s search for ‘Mariposita’, a symbolic figure representing perhaps a lost love or a bygone era of innocence in the neighborhood. The repeated attempts to find her, mirrored in the act of searching through the city, reflect a deeper existential quest and the enduring pain of not being able to reclaim what has been lost.
The bandoneón introduces the song with a “sad breath,” setting a poignant tone that resonates through the narrative. This instrument, emblematic of tango music, symbolizes the soul of Buenos Aires, and by extension, the soul of the narrator. The imagery of the night reflected in the glass of both the bar and drink (“la copa”) speaks to themes of reflection, introspection, and distortion caused by time and alcohol. ‘Mariposita’, meaning little butterfly, symbolizes something delicate and fleeting, accentuating the transient nature of beauty and youth. The ending of the lyrics, highlighting a need to drink “much… but much more!” underscores a desperate attempt to drown sorrows or perhaps blur the painful reality.
Composed and written in the late 1960s in Argentina, “De puro guapo” emerges during a period marked by political and social unrest. The year 1969 was particularly tumultuous with events such as the “Cordobazo”, a series of protests and riots against the military dictatorship, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction and upheaval. In this context, the longing and nostalgia in the lyrics could be interpreted as a metaphor for a national sentiment – a yearning for a return to better, more stable times, or perhaps a critique of the current state of affairs. This layer adds depth to the personal grief and romantic loss depicted in the song, aligning it with broader societal issues.
Francisco García Jiménez was a renowned Argentine lyricist known for his contributions to the tango genre.