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 segunda mano is a Tango written by Luis Ese and composed by Alfonso Sayons.
The lyrics of “De segunda mano” paint a vivid image of a person revisiting a past filled with used, sentimental objects. The setting described could likely be a pawn shop or a second-hand store, where items such as “viejos relojes” (old watches) and “traje de suaré” (evening suit) reflect memories of a bygone era. These objects serve as metaphors for the emotional baggage and past experiences the protagonist encounters upon returning to a lover. The phrase “De segunda mano,” translating to “second-hand” in English, reveals a profound commentary on the recycling of love and emotions, where everything now offered is not new but reused and carries the weight of previous ownership.
Key phrases like “Vidriera mistonga,” historically referring to a cheap or low-quality storefront, and “Tus cosas usadas” (“your used things”) evoke a strong emotional atmosphere of nostalgia and melancholy. The symbolism is rich in depicting how past love, like the second-hand items, carries marks and scuffs from previous experiences. The use of “De segunda mano” repeatedly emphasizes the core sentiment of the tango—receiving something that’s not fresh or original, but rather, handed down with history. Items mentioned such as “zapatos plateados” (silver shoes) symbolically contrast their bright, valuable appearance with the faded sentiment they represent.
The tango was recorded on August 7, 1935, in Argentina. This period in Argentine history was marked by significant political and social shifts, a context that often infiltrated the music of the time. Tangos from this era frequently captured themes of loss, longing, and the passage of time—sentiments that resonate deeply in “De segunda mano.” The portrayal of revisiting a pawned history perhaps mirrors a society grappling with its transformative and often painful history, looking back on what once was with a mix of fondness and sorrow.
Luis Ese, an Argentine lyricist, often explored themes of love, loss, and social commentary in his compositions, contributing significantly to the tango genre.