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El encopao

El encopao is a Tango written by Osvaldo Pugliese and recorded by Osvaldo Pugliese in 1969. The Tango El encopao is written by Osvaldo Pugliese, Osvaldo Pugliese has recorded El encopao with the singer Abel Córdoba.
“El Encopao,” meaning “The Dandy” in English, is a vibrant piece of music that captures the essence of elegance and flair. The name evokes images of a well-dressed, confident figure weaving through life’s dance with grace and style. This musical expression is a celebration of individuality, where every note is a step in the dance of self-assurance.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Pugliese

Orchestra

Abel Córdoba

Singer

Enrique Dizeo

Author

Osvaldo Pugliese

Composer

1969/5/1

Date

Abel Córdoba
Abel Córdoba
Osvaldo Pugliese
Osvaldo Pugliese

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El encopao recorded by other Orchestras

El encopao recorded by other Orchestras

Lyrics Translation of the Tango El encopao

This is the translation of the Tango “El encopao” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “El encopao” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango El encopao

Me llaman El Encopao
los que no saben lo que me ha pasao
y me ven hecho un cualquiera…
¡Que digan lo que digan,
que ya no me hace mella!
Me llaman El Encopao
como si el que anda así pierde el honor
y no piensan que el que mata
su rabia entre unas copas
tiene su razón.

¡Total, qué le importa a ella
que viva como yo vivo!
Siempre metido en el boliche de esa esquina
que ha dejado de ser linda
por su olvido.
¡Total, qué le importa a ella
que viva como yo vivo!
Mareado de caña y de recuerdos, noche y día,
día y noche, por su vida
que es mi amor.

Me dicen El Encopao
y no es mentira que voy mal rumbeao…
¡Todo por una morocha
que me marcó una güeya
de penas y de sombras!
Me llaman El Encopao
pero conmigo nadie va a jugar
porque los hombres se encuentran
y entonces cara a cara
hay que corajear.

English lyrics of the Tango "El encopao"

They call me The Drunkard
those who don’t know what happened to me
and see me as just anybody…
Let them say what they want,
it no longer bothers me!
They call me The Drunkard
as if one who walks this way loses his honor
and they don’t think that the one who kills
his rage with a few drinks
has his reasons.

After all, what does it matter to her
how I live!
Always stuck in the bar on that corner
which is no longer beautiful
because of her forgetfulness.
After all, what does it matter to her
how I live!
Dizzy from liquor and memories, night and day,
day and night, for her life
which is my love.

They call me The Drunkard
and it’s true that I’m on a bad path…
All because of a brunette
who left me a scar
of sorrows and shadows!
They call me The Drunkard
but no one’s going to play with me
because men do meet
and then face to face
you have to show courage.

El encopao by Enrique Dizeo

El encopao is a Tango written by Enrique Dizeo and composed by Osvaldo Pugliese.

Story behind the Tango El encopao

The lyrics of “El encopao” depict the story of a man deeply affected by a painful breakup. The term “El encopao,” loosely translating to “The Drunkard” in English, refers to someone heavily indulging in alcohol. The narrator addresses the perception of others who see him as a lost cause, drowned in his sorrows and alcohol due to lost love. He finds himself a regular patron at a corner bar, once beautiful, now tainted by the memories of a lost lover. The man’s descent into melancholy is depicted not with shame, but with a fatalistic acceptance of his new reality.

Symbolism of El encopao

The tango uses vivid imagery and symbolism to portray the emotional state of the protagonist. Phrases like “mareado de caña y de recuerdos” (dizzy from rum and memories) illustrate his constant struggle with the past and the bottle. The “boliche de esa esquina” (bar at that corner) symbolizes a refuge or a haunting ground, where he dwells on what used to be. The contrast between the joy of love’s past and his present sorrow is deeply emphasized, portraying a life shadowed by the ghost of former love. The narrative technique employed by Dizeo uses the protagonist’s lament as a mirror to the darker, often unspoken, reactions to heartbreak.

El encopao in historic Context

“El encopao” was penned and recorded in the late 1960s, a period that experienced significant social and cultural shifts globally and in Argentina. This era in Argentina was marked by political turmoil and a shift towards more conservative politics which may have influenced the tone of the tango, reflecting a general mood of nostalgia and loss. This context likely resonates with the longing and the grit to confront hardships head-on, as expressed in the song, mirroring the broader societal experiences.

Enrique Dizeo

Enrique Dizeo was a renowned Argentine lyricist known for his rich contributions to the genre of Tango, collaborating with famous composers and leaving a lasting impact with his poignant lyrics.