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 motivo (Pobre paica) is a Tango written by Pascual Contursi and composed by Juan Carlos Cobián.
The tango “El motivo (Pobre paica)” tells the poignant story of a woman, once celebrated in the tango world, now forgotten and in despair. The lyrics illustrate her transformation from a popular figure who captivated everyone’s attention at the milongas (tango dance gatherings) to a lonely, impoverished woman abandoned by those she once charmed. This narrative brings forth themes of temporal beauty, the ephemerality of youth, and the harsh realities of aging and social neglect. The refrain “Pobre paica” resonates as an expression of pity and sorrow for the woman’s plight, reflecting a common societal tragedy.
This tango uses vivid imagery and metaphors to deepen the emotional impact of the woman’s decline. Phrases like “florcita de fango” (little mud flower) symbolize her delicate beauty tarnished by hardship, suggesting how environmental factors can mar personal blossoms. The consistent reference to tango elements, including the nostalgic vibration of bandoneons, links her life intimately to the dance genre, symbolizing her identity and the cultural backdrop of her existence. The imagery of her faded vibrancy through the “pale colors” on her face and the lack of glimmer in her “big eyes” paint a stark contrast to her former glory, emphasizing the theme of decay and neglect.
Recorded in 1970, a time when tango music was undergoing significant changes in Argentina, “El motivo (Pobre paica)” reflects the socio-cultural attitudes of the era towards aging and societal value. During this period, Argentina was experiencing political and economic turbulence, which often influenced cultural productions, infusing them with themes of loss and nostalgia. The decline of the woman in the song mirrors the fading of traditional tango culture, which by the 1970s was being overshadowed by modern musical influences and the shifting dynamics of Argentinian society.
Pascual Contursi was a pivotal figure in the history of tango, known for integrating narrative and colloquial lyrics into the music, thus playing a crucial role in the evolution of Tango Canción (Tango Song).