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El motivo (Pobre paica)

El motivo (Pobre paica) is a Tango written by Juan Carlos Cobián and recorded by Aníbal Troilo in 1965. The Tango El motivo (Pobre paica) is written by Juan Carlos Cobián, Aníbal Troilo has recorded El motivo (Pobre paica) with the singer Tito Reyes.
“El motivo (Pobre paica)” translates to “The Motif (Poor Woman)” in English. This tango captures the heartache and resilience of a woman who dances through life’s hardships, her story etched in each note and rhythm. Her struggles become a poignant melody, a timeless homage to her strength and spirit amidst adversity.

Tango

Style

Aníbal Troilo

Orchestra

Tito Reyes

Singer

Pascual Contursi

Author

Juan Carlos Cobián

Composer

1965/12/16

Date

Tito Reyes
Tito Reyes
Aníbal Troilo
Aníbal Troilo

Discover Other Orchestras

Alfredo De Angelis – Tecleando – 1977/1/21
Alfredo De Angelis – Mi malacara y yo – 1963/7/25
Alfredo De Angelis – Cascabelito – 1985/1/1
Alfredo De Angelis – El carrerito – 1981/1/1
Alfredo De Angelis – Luz y sombra (2) – 1956/8/8
Julio De Caro – Mocosita – 1925/1/1
Julio De Caro – Ay Elena – 1941/1/1
Julio De Caro – Esta noche – 1953/8/5
Julio De Caro – Todo corazón – 1924/1/1
Julio De Caro – De rompe y raja – 1949/10/19
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – Del barrio de las latas – 1968/8/5
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – Nocturno a mi barrio – 1969/7/30
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – Toda mi vida – 1968/8/5
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – La trampera – 1969/7/30
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – La cumparsita – 1968/9/11
Ricardo Malerba – Tres amigos – 1944/4/18
Ricardo Malerba – Quejas de Montmartre – 1956/3/16
Ricardo Malerba – Mi taza de café – 1943/11/8
Ricardo Malerba – Palais de glace – 1944/9/8
Ricardo Malerba – Bailarina – 1958/1/1

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.

El motivo (Pobre paica) recorded by other Orchestras

El motivo (Pobre paica) recorded by other Orchestras

1965/12/16 – Alma de bohemio – Anibal Troilo
1965/12/16 – Aqui nomas – Anibal Troilo
1965/12/16 – Las arrugas de mi frente – Anibal Troilo
1965/12/23 – Galleguita – Anibal Troilo
1965/12/23 – Un tango para el recuerdo – Anibal Troilo
El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1961/8/23 – Anibal Troilo – Roberto Goyeneche
El motivo (Pobre paica) – (unknown date) – Anibal Troilo – Tito Reyes
El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1965/12/16 – Anibal Troilo – Tito Reyes
El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1966/6/1 – Osvaldo Pugliese – Instrumental
El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1962/1/1 – Jose Basso – Floreal Ruiz
El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1970/8/13 – Anibal Troilo – Instrumental
El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1987/1/1 – Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgan) – Instrumental
El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1965/1/1 – Horacio Salgan – Instrumental
El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1942/1/1 – Julio De Caro – Instrumental

Lyrics Translation of the Tango El motivo (Pobre paica)

This is the translation of the Tango “El motivo (Pobre paica)” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “El motivo (Pobre paica)” have been done with AI.

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)"

A woman who was once
the most splendid dancer of milongas,
and on those tango nights
was the queen of the feast.
Today she has neither shoes nor dresses to wear,
she’s ill and her friend
hasn’t contributed to the rent.

Her big eyes no longer
shine so brightly,
and the colors in her face
have started to pale.
She’s sick, suffering, and crying
deeply feeling
that sick and without money
no one will want her.

Poor girl who has had
people whistling at her,
and knew with just a look
how to spark a passion.
Now there’s no one who comes close
out of affection 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 flower of the mud
feels her soul vibrate
with longings of other times
of pleasures and loves,
now only are 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 story told through “El motivo (Pobre paica)” is one of decline and sorrow. The lyrics share the experience of a woman who once was a celebrated figure in the nightlife of tango, known for her charm and beauty, the ‘queen of the feast’ at milongas. However, she has since fallen on hard times, forgotten and struggling with poverty and illness. The song deeply reflects on the transient nature of popularity and the solitude that can follow when the glamour fades.



Symbolism of El motivo (Pobre paica)

The tango uses vivid imagery and symbolism to communicate its themes. Words like “florcita de fango” (little mudflower) symbolize how something beautiful can emerge from a poor or tainted environment, yet it is fragile and easily damaged. The use of the phrases such as “la más papa milonguera” suggests her past popularity and prowess in the tango scene, while her current neglect is painfully highlighted with, “no tiene pa’ ponerse ni zapatos ni vestidos,” illustrating her dire poverty. Such contrasts enhance the emotive power of the tango.



El motivo (Pobre paica) in historic Context

Historically, by the mid-1960s when “El motivo (Pobre paica)” was recorded, tango had undergone transformations and was facing both a revival and a reinvention of its identity within Argentine culture. This song reflects a nostalgic evocation of the golden age of tango, perhaps lamenting the socio-cultural changes impacting traditional art forms and communities. The vivid depiction of a former milonga star now destitute and sick reflects societal concerns about neglect and the impermanence of success.



Pascual Contursi

Pascual Contursi is known for his contributions to tango lyrics, infusing them with a narrative quality that opened up new expressive possibilities in the genre. He lived during a period when tango was evolving from dance music to a form of poetic expression.