El motivo (Pobre paica)

El motivo (Pobre paica) is a Tango written by Juan Carlos Cobián and recorded by Aníbal Troilo in 1970. Aníbal Troilo has recorded El motivo (Pobre paica) as an instrumental Tango.

The name “El motivo (Pobre paica)” translates to “The Motive (Poor Girl)” in English. This piece captures the melancholy and yearning in the life of a young woman, struggling against the tides of her harsh reality. Each note weaves the tale of her sorrow and resilience, crafting a poignant dance of despair and hope.

Tango

Style

Aníbal Troilo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Pascual Contursi

Author

Juan Carlos Cobián

Composer

1970/8/13

Date

Instrumental

Aníbal Troilo

Discover Other Orchestras

Enrique Francini – Milonga con variación (Milonga con variaciones) – 1970/12/18
Enrique Francini – Melodía oriental – 1970/8/26
Enrique Francini – Tema otoñal – 1970/5/20
Enrique Francini – Es hora de vivir – 1956/7/27
Enrique Francini – Bailonga – 1958/3/14

Anibal Troilo – Volver – 1970/8/13
Anibal Troilo – El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1970/8/13

Juan D’Arienzo – Canzoneta – 2015/1/1
Juan D’Arienzo – Qué seré yo – 1961/7/19
Juan D’Arienzo – El comandante – 1952/11/12
Juan D’Arienzo – Ansiedad – 1938/11/9
Juan D’Arienzo – La Rosarina – 1937/7/2

Roberto Firpo – No tiene importancia – 1926/12/2
Roberto Firpo – Me contaron – 1926/12/30
Roberto Firpo – Que me contas – 1931/3/10
Roberto Firpo – Qué pasó
vecina- – 1931/3/30
Roberto Firpo – Boca negra – 1927/10/27

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) "

The girl who once was
the most popular dancer
and in those tango nights
she was the queen of the feast.
Today she doesn’t even have
shoes or dresses,
she’s sick and the friend
didn’t contribute to the love nest.

Her big eyes no longer
shine bright,
and on her face the colors
are fading into pallor.
She’s sick, suffers, and cries
and deeply feels
that like this, sick and penniless,
nobody will love her anymore.

Poor girl who once had
everyone whistling
and knew how to capture
a passion with just a look.
Today, no one comes close
out of love to her bedside.
Poor girl from the suburbs
who ended up heartless!

And when from the bandoneons
the notes of a tango are heard,
poor little mud flower
feels in her soul vibrate
the nostalgia of other times
of pleasures and loves,
today they’re only bitterness
that invite her to cry!

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 tango “El motivo (Pobre paica)” portrays the poignant tale of a woman, once the queen of the milonga and the object of admiration, who now faces neglect and poverty. The lyrics narrate her transition from the celebrated life of a milonguera to her current destitute and lonely circumstances. The repeated mentions of her past glory contrast sharply with her present, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia and loss.

Symbolism of El motivo (Pobre paica)

The phrase “pobre florcita de fango” is a powerful metaphor describing the main character. Literally translating to “poor little mudflower,” it symbolizes her beauty and fragility, tainted and soiled by her harsh life experiences. The repeated imagery of her fading beauty, her tears, and the nostalgia induced by the bandoneon’s melody underscore the themes of decay and despair.