Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

El firulete

El firulete is a Milonga written by Mariano Mores and recorded by José Basso in 1961. José Basso has recorded El firulete as an instrumental Milonga.
“El Firulete,” or “The Flourish,” dances through the air with a vibrant flair. It captures the essence of intricate movements, weaving a tapestry of steps that tell stories of passion and longing. Like a painter’s brushstroke on an empty canvas, it adorns the silence with elegant arches and playful turns, inviting the soul to embrace the rhythm of life.

Milonga

Style

José Basso

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Rodolfo Taboada

Author

Mariano Mores

Composer

1961/4/18

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
José Basso
José Basso

Discover Other Orchestras

Francisco Rotundo – Siempre tu voz – 1955/5/2
Francisco Rotundo – Poema para mi madre – 1955/12/6
Francisco Rotundo – Tata llevame p’al centro – 1957/9/19
Francisco Rotundo – Tras cartón – 1951/12/10
Francisco Rotundo – Dios te salve m’hijo – 1955/1/12
Miguel Caló – El choclo – 1964/4/7
Miguel Caló – Vengo a verla – 1953/4/8
Miguel Caló – Unica – 1961/10/10
Miguel Caló – Soy milonguero – 1963/4/23
Miguel Caló – Noche de locura – 1954/6/23
Francisco Canaro – La carona – 1918/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Oh París – 1924/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Siga el corso – 1926/1/1
Francisco Canaro – La tablada – 1920/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Rodríguez Peña – 1926/1/1
Lucio Demare – La calle maldita – (unknown date)
Lucio Demare – La racha – 1938/6/13
Lucio Demare – Soy muchacho de la guardia – 1942/9/3
Lucio Demare – Pena de amor – 1943/2/11
Lucio Demare – Malena – 1951/9/20

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.

1961/4/18 – Brazo de oro – Jose Basso
1961/4/18 – El viejo amor – Jose Basso
1961/4/18 – Una historia mas – Jose Basso
1961/4/21 – Mala junta – Jose Basso
1961/4/21 – Tierra querida – Jose Basso

Letra del Milonga El firulete

¿Quién fue el raro bicho
que te ha dicho, che pebete
que pasó el tiempo del firulete?
Por más que ronquen
los merengues y las congas
siempre es buen tiempo pa’la milonga.
Vos dejá nomás que algún chabón
chamuye al cuete
y sacudile tu firulete,
que desde el cerebro al alma
la milonga lo bordó.
Es el compás criollo y se acabó.

Pero escuchá, fijate bien,
prestale mucha atención
y ahora batí si hay algo igual
a este compás compadrón.
Batí, por Dios, si este compás
repicadito y dulzón
te burbujea en la piel
y te hace mas querendón.
Pero escuchá… fijate bien,
prestale mucha atención.
Y ahora batí si este compás
no es un clavel reventón;
es el clavel, es el balcón,
es el percal, el arrabal,
el callejón, y es el loco firulete
de algún viejo metejón.

English lyrics of the Milonga "El firulete"

Who was that strange creature
who told you, hey kid,
that the time for fancy footwork has passed?
No matter how much they snore
the merengues and the congas,
it’s always a good time for the milonga.
Just let some guy
babble nonsense
and shake your fancy footwork,
for from the brain to the soul
the milonga has embroidered it.
It’s the native rhythm, and that’s final.

But listen, pay close attention,
give it a lot of thought
and now say if there’s anything like
this bold rhythm.
Say, for heaven’s sake, if this rhythm,
chirpy and sweet,
doesn’t bubble up in your skin
and make you more affectionate.
But listen… pay close attention,
give it a lot of thought.
And now say if this rhythm
isn’t a bursting carnation;
it’s the carnation, it’s the balcony,
it’s the muslin, the suburb,
the alleyway, and it’s the crazy fancy footwork
of some old deep passion.

El firulete by Rodolfo Taboada

El firulete is a Tango written by Rodolfo Taboada and composed by Mariano Mores.



Story behind the Tango El firulete

“El firulete” mirrors the enduring rhythm of the milonga, a traditional dance and musical genre of Argentina. In the wake of modern musical influences like merengues and congas, the narrator defiantly upholds the timeless charm of milonga. The lyrics invite the listener, metaphorically referred to as a young boy (pebete), to disregard naysayers and embrace the passion of the milonga, symbolized through the “firulete,” a term referring to stylish and elaborate dance steps. The central narrative insists milonga is not just a dance but an emotional journey that resonates from the brain to the soul.



Symbolism of El firulete

“El firulete,” translating directly to elaborate or intricate movement in English, symbolizes much more than a dance movement in Argentinian tango. It embodies an enduring cultural expression against the ever-changing tides of musical trends. The words such as “es el clavel, es el balcón, es el percal, el arrabal, el callejón” use cultural and urban imagery to evoke a vivid sense of place and nostalgia, ultimately encapsulating the essence of traditional Argentine neighborhoods and their intimate relationship with tango.



El firulete in historic Context

Written in the early 1960s, “El firulete” emerged at a time when global musical trends began to heavily influence traditional cultures. The tango, once the heartbeat of Buenos Aires’s nightlife, faced competition from new dance forms. Taboada’s lyrics not only advocate for the preservation of the milonga but also challenge the younger generation to keep the traditional Argentine spirit alive. The call to appreciate the milonga’s intricate rhythm highlights a resistance to cultural homogenization, underscored by the pride in Argentina’s unique musical heritage.



Rodolfo Taboada

Rodolfo Taboada was an Argentine lyricist known for his poignant and evocative tango lyrics which often encapsulate the mood and spirit of the Argentine essence.