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El africano

El africano is a Tango written by Eduardo Pereyra and recorded by Osvaldo Pugliese in 1978. Osvaldo Pugliese has recorded El africano as an instrumental Tango.
“El africano” translates to “The African” in English. It is a vibrant tapestry of rhythm and soul, evoking the enduring spirit and cultural depth of Africa. Each note seems to resonate with the heartbeat of ancestral lands, weaving a tale of history, resilience, and the timeless dances of life’s journey.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Pugliese

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Francisco Lío

Author

Eduardo Pereyra

Composer

1978/12/20

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Osvaldo Pugliese
Osvaldo Pugliese

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José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Milonguita (Esthercita) – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Yo no sé por qué te quiero – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Rosicler – 1959/9/14
Julio De Caro – Maipo – 1941/1/1
Julio De Caro – Flores negras – 1942/1/1
Julio De Caro – El pibe chacarita – 1929/1/1
Julio De Caro – Yo me quiero suicidar – 1930/1/1
Julio De Caro – Ojos negros – 1952/11/27
Anibal Troilo – Volver – 1970/8/13
Anibal Troilo – El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1970/8/13
Domingo Federico – Un tal Medina – 1946/5/23
Domingo Federico – Tu melodia – 1944/12/27
Domingo Federico – Flores del alma – 1947/6/4
Domingo Federico – Tus ojos me aprisionan – 1960/1/12
Domingo Federico – La casa vacía – 1965/1/1

Recommended

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.

El africano recorded by other Orchestras

El africano recorded by other Orchestras

1978/12/20 – El japanga – Osvaldo Pugliese
1978/12/20 – Mato y voy – Osvaldo Pugliese
1979/1/1 – Aquella inolvidable cancion – Florindo Sassone
1979/1/1 – Buenos Aires mi cuidad – Florindo Sassone
1979/1/1 – Casita pequenita – Florindo Sassone
El africano – 1945/11/15 – Anibal Troilo – Instrumental
El africano – 1937/12/14 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
El africano – 1969/8/1 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
El africano – 1978/12/20 – Osvaldo Pugliese – Instrumental
El africano – 1945/12/26 – Enrique Rodriguez – Instrumental
El africano – 1951/11/15 – Hector Varela – Instrumental
El africano – 1966/12/16 – Armando Pontier – Instrumental

Letra del Tango El africano

Fue el más audaz, el último malevo

El que imperó al norte, El Africano,

Varón de ley, que fue como un hermano

Su corazón de guapo y de porteño.

Mozo de cara bronceada

Y de lenguaje sencillo,

Frente al rival, su cuchillo

Supo ventajas mostrar.



En el silencio de las noches de aquel barrio

Cuando la luna por los techos se paseaba,

Con su tristeza caminaba El Africano

Como una sombra que se esfumaba.

Y en el bullicio de los bailes esquineros

Donde el coraje era siempre respetado,

Ningún varón se le animaba a un entrevero

Por que era temple de alma, vida y corazón



Recitado:

Altivo y valiente

Cayó vencido peleando de frente

Con gran valor.

Y una vez más

Confiado en su entereza

Fríamente lo mataron a traición.



Aquella noche el arrabal lloró su pena

Cayó aquel taura con valor y con coraje,

Y en el silencio de la noche, el malevaje

Por vez primera, oyó esta queja:

“Me voy batido por cobarde puñalada

En forma ruin, tan sólo pude ser vencido”,

Cerró los ojos y con su último suspiro

Su débil voz entre las sombras se apagó.

English lyrics of the Tango "El africano"

He was the boldest, the last tough guy,

The one who ruled the north, The African,

A man of honor, who was like a brother

His daring heart of a true city man.

A young man with a tan face

And simple language,

In the face of a rival, his knife

Knew how to show advantage.

In the silence of the nights of that neighborhood

When the moon strolled over the rooftops,

With his sadness walked The African

Like a shadow that faded away.

And in the hustle of the corner dances

Where courage was always respected,

No man dared to challenge him

For he was tempered in soul, life, and heart

Recited:

Proud and brave

He fell defeated fighting head-on

With great courage.

And once more

Trusting in his integrity

Coldly they killed him by treachery.

That night the suburb wept its sorrow

That brave man fell with valor and courage,

And in the silence of the night, the thugs

For the first time, heard this complaint:

“I go defeated by a cowardly stab

In a vile way, only thus could I be conquered,”

He closed his eyes and with his last breath

His weak voice among the shadows faded away.

El africano by Francisco Lío

El africano is a Tango written by Francisco Lío and composed by Eduardo Pereyra.



Story behind the Tango El africano

“El africano” narrates the life and end of a bold, formidable figure known as El Africano, revered throughout his northern community. Described as a man of the people who was like a brother, his story unfurls through scenes of nocturnal wanderings and vibrant local dances, showcasing his mastery in knife-fighting and his indomitable spirit. El Africano’s journeys through the night and communal gatherings emphasis his integral role in his neighborhood’s social fabric, culminating tragically in his death through a deceitful strike, felt deeply by his community.



Symbolism of El africano

The choice of the moniker “El Africano” itself symbolizes a distinctive or exotic presence within the conservative fabric of 1970s Argentina. His story reflects traditional themes of tango: masculinity, bravery, and tragedy. The “nocturnal wanderings” and “vibrant local dances” symbolize the two facets of barrio life – the tranquil and the ebullient. The vivid imagery of a life interrupted by betrayal plays into the recurring tango motif of honor and revenge. His eventual demise at the end of the song acts as a poignant commentary on the inevitable downfall associated with a life led on the edges of society’s moral compass.



El africano in historic Context

Recorded in 1978, “El africano” does not merely align with the era’s pop culture but also resonates with the sociopolitical undercurrents of Argentina at the time. During the late 1970s, Argentina was under a military dictatorship known for its repression, and themes of confrontation, courage, and betrayal would have held deep resonance. Additionally, tango, traditionally a genre reflecting the sentiments of lower social classes, forms an expressive backdrop against which narratives of life, struggle, and valor are vividly painted. His status as “El africano” also hints at the otherness felt by those who stand out or defy norms, a poignant reflection during a time of severe social conformity and control.



Francisco Lío

Francisco Lío was a prominent lyricist in the tango genre, known for capturing the complex emotions and lives of the working class in Argentina.