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 flete is a Tango written by Pascual Contursi and composed by Vicente Greco.
“El flete” delves into the transformation of societal values concerning notorious tough figures in Argentine culture. The lyrics speak to the decline of the old guard, those hardened men known for their bravery and violence, carrying knives (“fariñeras y facón”) and not shying away from conflicts. Contursi poetically narrates the end of an era where such men ruled the streets, indicating a shift towards a more civilized or controlled society where these individuals are caught and sent away (“le dan flete pa’ la otra población”). The title “El flete,” which translates to “The Freight” or “The Shipment” in English, metaphorically alludes to these former strongmen being shipped out or removed from their dominant societal roles.
The repeated references to the outlaw type characters who ruled through force and are now facing a shift in societal handling underline a broader commentary on change and adaptation. The phrase “lo catan y le dan flete pa’ la otra población” uses transportation (“flete”) as a symbol for displacement or marginalization, highlighting how these figures are being systematically isolated or rehabilitated. This symbolic use of “flete” connects deeply with themes of transformation and regulation in society, suggesting a move towards societal reform.
Recorded in 1952, a time post-World War II era where many societies, including Argentina, were undergoing significant transformations, “El flete” captures the essence of sociopolitical changes and reflects upon the diminishing of local strongmen culture that was prominent in earlier decades. Argentina in the 1950s was marked by political instability and social reforms. The tango, emerging from the lower classes of Buenos Aires, often highlighted narratives of everyday struggles, and Contursi’s narrative is a poetic documentation of changing times and social structures.
Pascual Contursi was a seminal figure in the history of Tango, known for integrating lunfardo (slang) and developing the modern Tango lyrics that narrate the urban experience.