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 cocherito is a Tango written by Santiago Adamini and composed by Alfredo Attadía.
The lyrics of “El cocherito” narrate the life of Gabino, a notable young man from the Caballito neighborhood in Buenos Aires, who thrived on dancing tango. Through dancing, Gabino not only expressed himself but also connected deeply with his community. Each verse encapsulates a slice of his life, portraying his regular nights spent dancing to the tunes of a street organ. The narrative also hints at his social ascent in the locality due to his dancing skills, which brought him admiration and emotional victories.
The central imagery of “El cocherito” revolves around the act of dancing, representing a gateway to personal freedom and self-expression. Tango, as a dance form synonymous with deep emotional undertones, serves as a playful yet poignant backdrop to Gabino’s lifestyle. Phrases like “bailando ganaba algún corazón” underscore his prowess not only as a dancer but also as a charmer who captured hearts through his elegant moves. Furthermore, the poetic vision of him wishing to die while dancing a tango, “si bailando un tango un día, me fallara el corazón,” symbolizes a life fully devoted to passion, a profound testament to living and dying for what one loves.
Composed in 1953, “El cocherito” reflects the cultural significance of tango during the mid-20th century in Argentina, a period marked by the dance’s golden age. The references to Buenos Aires’ neighborhood Caballito and element like “organito” (a portable street organ) are deeply embedded in the local culture, revealing a community’s daily entertainment and social interaction. This period also saw tango as a method of societal storytelling, where personal tales of love, sorrow, and everyday life were woven into music and dance, resonating widely with the Argentine populace.
Santiago Adamini was a notable figure in the tango genre, known for his evocative lyrics that often captured the essence of Argentine cultural narratives and simple joys of life.