Despues by Homero Manzi

Despues is a Tango written by Homero Manzi and composed by Hugo Gutiérrez.

Story behind the Tango Despues

“Despues,” meaning “Afterwards” in English, captures the essence of reflective melancholy common in tango music and poetry. The lyrics describe a sequence of emotional and visual images tied to a profound personal loss. Primary themes in the song include the passage of time, nostalgic remembrance, and a wrestle with oblivion. Emotions of sorrow, fatigue, and inevitably, acceptance, permeate the song as it speaks of life moving beyond poignant moments.

Symbolism of Despues

Homero Manzi skillfully embeds deep symbolism within “Despues.” The “moon in blood” symbolizes a significant but unsettling change or climax. Tears “crying without pain” reflect a numbness or detachment from reality, often associated with deep grief or shock. Furthermore, “the enormous night on glass” suggests clarity and the vastness of emptiness accompanying loss. The coldness in “your skin like snow” and the mention of “pale ending” subtly denote death’s chill, juxtaposing life’s warmth and energy dramatically.

Despues in Historic Context

Despite indicating a creation date of December 26, 1985, it’s important to note that Homero Manzi, a pillar in the golden age of Tango, passed away in 1951. This discrepancy may imply a posthumous recording or an error in the date. Assuming authenticity, the song would reflect Argentina’s socio-political climate in the mid-1980s, post-dictatorship, where society grappled with issues of memory, mourning, and identity. The sense of melancholy and reminiscence in “Despues” could resonate deeply with an Argentine audience recovering from years of oppression.

Homero Manzi

Homero Manzi was an influential Argentine tango lyricist, known for his profound and poignant use of language that significantly shaped the world of tango music.