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.
Domingo a la noche is a Tango written by Oscar Rubens and composed by Juan José Guichandut.
“Domingo a la noche” depicts a scene typical of a Sunday night in a neighborhood café in Buenos Aires. The lyrics open with the setting of the café, merging elements of routine (a sixth edition news, dice games) with local interests such as football and horse racing. The characters, José, Ricardo, Anselmo, and the narrator, represent common folk engaging in typical debates about football teams (River Plate vs. Boca Juniors) and other popular subjects. The song shifts to a more somber note when personal grievances are shared, revealing that beneath the surface of casual banter, each individual harbors personal struggles and heartache, with the narrator suffering from a recent romantic breakup.
The café setting is itself symbolic, portraying a communal space where people can mask their personal sorrows beneath layers of everyday concerns. The mention of “sixth edition” news and “dice” subtly hint at the passage of time and the gamble of life’s uncertainties. The contrast between lively discussions on superficial topics and the underlying personal sorrows underscores a common human tendency to hide deeper troubles behind a façade of routine conversations. The key phrase “Se fue dejando una herida en mi pobre corazón,” meaning “She left leaving a wound in my poor heart,” poignantly captures the theme of hidden emotional pain.
The Tango “Domingo a la noche” was written in mid-1940s Argentina, a period marked by significant social and political changes. The simple pleasures of a Sunday night gathering contrasted with the broader context of uncertainty and shifting dynamics in Argentinian society. This period also saw the rise of Tango music as a reflection of the working-class experiences, blending joy and melancholy—an undercurrent clearly reflected in the song’s emotional layers and its resonance with the everyday man’s hidden struggles.
Oscar Rubens, the lyricist, was known for his poignant portrayals of everyday life and emotions in Tango music, skillfully capturing the essence of the Argentinian soul.