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El motivo (Pobre paica)

El motivo (Pobre paica) is a Tango written by Juan Carlos Cobián and recorded by Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) in 1987. Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) has recorded El motivo (Pobre paica) as an instrumental Tango.
The piece titled “El motivo (Pobre paica)” translates to “The Motive (Poor Girl)” in English. This evocative tango whispers the story of a young woman’s struggles and dreams, wrapped in haunting melodies. Through its plaintive notes, it reveals the longing and resilience of a soul navigating through hardship in search of hope and dignity.

Tango

Style

Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán)

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Pascual Contursi

Author

Juan Carlos Cobián

Composer

1987/1/1

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán)
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán)

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El motivo (Pobre paica) recorded by other Orchestras

El motivo (Pobre paica) recorded by other Orchestras

Letra del Tango El motivo (Pobre paica)

Mina que fue en otro tiempo

la más papa milonguera

y en esas noches tangueras

fue la reina del festín.

Hoy no tiene pa’ ponerse

ni zapatos ni vestidos,

anda enferma y el amigo

no aportó para el bulín.



Ya no tienen sus ojazos

esos fuertes resplandores

y en su cara los colores

se le ven palidecer.

Está enferma, sufre y llora

y manya con sentimiento

de que así, enferma y sin vento

más naide la va a querer.



Pobre paica que ha tenido

a la gente rechiflada

y supo con la mirada

conquistar una pasión.

Hoy no tiene quien se arrime

por cariño a su catrera.

¡Pobre paica arrabalera

que quedó sin corazón!



Y cuando de los bandoneones

se oyen las notas de un tango,

pobre florcita de fango

siente en su alma vibrar

las nostalgias de otros tiempos

de placeres y de amores,

¡hoy sólo son sinsabores

que la invitan a llorar!

English lyrics of the Tango "El motivo (Pobre paica)"

Once the most popular girl at milongas,
the queen of feasts on tango nights.
Now, she lacks both shoes and dresses,
falls ill, and no friend helps with her humble room.

Her eyes no longer brightly shine,
and her face fades to pale.
She’s sick, suffering, and crying, realizing
that sick and broke, no one will want her.

Poor girl, once adored by all,
could capture hearts with just a glance.
Now, no one comes close with love to her bed.
Poor, heartless street girl!

And when the bandoneons
play a tango’s notes,
this poor muddy flower
feels her soul stir

with nostalgic yearnings for times
of pleasures and loves—
now only grievances
that invite her to weep!

El motivo (Pobre paica) by Pascual Contursi

El motivo (Pobre paica) is a Tango written by Pascual Contursi and composed by Juan Carlos Cobián.



Story behind the Tango El motivo (Pobre paica)

The poignant tango “El motivo (Pobre paica)” narrates the tale of a woman once celebrated in the nightlife of tango but has since fallen into hard times. The lyrics depict her physical and emotional deterioration, showing how she has been abandoned by those who once adored her. The woman, referred to as “paica,” a term denoting a streetwise girl, reflects on her lost youth and love, expressing feelings of despair and longing. The central theme revolves around the fleeting nature of beauty and fame, and the harsh reality of being forgotten.



Symbolism of El motivo (Pobre paica)

The use of contrasting images in the tango enhances its emotional impact. Phrases like “mina que fue en otro tiempo la más papa milonguera” contrast her past glory with her present misery, symbolized through her lack of essentials like “zapatos ni vestidos.” Her illness symbolizes her total abandonment and loss of vitality. The recurring theme of nostalgia and mourning for the past is encapsulated as she listens to the sounds of bandoneons, which stirs memories of “placeres y de amores.” The image of “pobre florcita de fango” suggests a delicate flower striving to survive in the mud, reflecting her struggle in a harsh, uncaring environment.



El motivo (Pobre paica) in historic Context

Pascual Contursi wrote “El motivo (Pobre paica)” against the backdrop of the late 20th-century Argentina. During this period, tango was not just a dance but a reflection of social realities, often expressing themes of disappointment, loss, and the harshness of life in the urban landscape. Tango culture is meticulously connected with the Argentine identity, and through such songs, it often voices the unspoken hardships of the marginalized sections. The woman’s story, laden with nostalgia and loss, mirrors the societal undercurrents of the time, highlighting how quickly adoration can turn into abandonment.



Pascual Contursi

Pascual Contursi is remembered as a pivotal figure in the history of tango, known for integrating poignant and evocative lyrics with the traditional music of tango, thus giving rise to the tango canción (tango song).