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.
El choclo is a Tango written by Angel Villoldo and composed by Angel Villoldo.
“El choclo,” with its deeply nostalgic and emotional undertone, explores themes of memory, longing, and the irrevocable flow of time. The lyrics begin with a poignant reflection on “vieja milonga” which is a traditional form of music and dance from the Río de la Plata area of Argentina and Uruguay, often associated with tango. This reference sets a nostalgic tone, connecting the past with the present in moments of personal sadness. The act of the milonga bringing “tu recuerdo cariñoso” (your loving memory) to the narrator’s mind underlines a personal and communal connection to this musical heritage, providing comfort and a sense of identity.
The title itself, “El choclo,” which translates to “The Corn Cob” in English, is a colloquial term that might symbolize something that is quintessentially Argentine, basic yet rich in cultural value. Throughout the tango, this idea of essential, foundational elements of life and culture, connecting people to their roots and to each other, is a recurring motif. For instance, the words “dulcemente, siento que el alma se me encoje poco a poco” (sweetly, I feel my soul shrinking little by little) evoke the painful beauty of clinging to fading memories as time progresses. This shrinking symbolizes the diminishing of the self as one ages, highlighted as the singer mentions how years have turned their hair white (“han blanqueado ya mis sienes”).
The Tango was recorded in 1940, a time when Argentina was on the brink of significant social and political changes post the Infamous Decade. This era, known for its corruption and fraud, might reflect why themes of returning to a purer, more beautiful past are prominent in “El choclo.” Moreover, Buenos Aires during this era was a melting pot of cultures, which often found a unifying voice in tango music—a movement from neighborhood gatherings to a more refined, global stage. The historical context gives depth to the lyrics’ mournful remembrance of a “tan linda que se fue” (so beautiful that she/he/it went away), possibly alluding to not just a person but an era or a cherished state of being.
Angel Villoldo, often regarded as one of the fathers of tango, was a prolific Argentine musician and one of the pioneering figures in the history of tango, making significant contributions to the genre’s development in the early 20th century.