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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 NaN. 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.
The piece “El motivo (Pobre paica)” translates to “The Motive (Poor Girl)” in English. This evocative title captures the essence of a haunting tango, weaving a tale of sorrow and resilience in the life of a struggling young woman. Through its melancholy melodies and poignant rhythms, the music paints a vivid portrait of her unspoken dreams and enduring spirit.

Tango

Style

Aníbal Troilo

Orchestra

Tito Reyes

Singer

Pascual Contursi

Author

Juan Carlos Cobián

Composer

(unknown date)

Date

Tito Reyes
Tito Reyes
Aníbal Troilo
Aníbal Troilo

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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) 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 – El motivo (Pobre paica) – Anibal Troilo
1965/12/16 – Las arrugas de mi frente – Anibal Troilo
1965/12/23 – Galleguita – 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)"

The girl who was once
the top dancer at the milonga
and in those tango nights
was the queen of the feast.
Now she has nothing to wear
neither shoes nor dresses,
she’s sick and the friend
didn’t contribute to the rent.

Her big eyes no longer
hold those strong glows
and on her face the colors
are seen fading away.
She’s sick, suffers, and cries
and realizes with sorrow
that thus, ill and broke
no one will love her.

Poor girl who had
people mad about her
and knew with her gaze
to conquer a passion.
Now no one 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 in her soul vibrating
the nostalgia of other times
of pleasures and of loves,
today they are only griefs
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 lyrics of “El motivo (Pobre paica)” speak poignantly to a universal theme of decline and nostalgia. The song portrays the life of a once-celebrated milonga dancer, referred to as “paica” (a term for a woman in old Argentine slang), who has fallen into obscurity and poverty. Formerly, she was the life of parties, the star of nights filled with tango. The shift from her past glamour to her present destitute condition addresses the cruel passage of time and the fragility of human fortunes.



Symbolism of El motivo (Pobre paica)

Symbolism in the song is vivid, particularly through the contrasts drawn between the protagonist’s past and present. Phrases like “la más papa milonguera” and “la reina del festín” symbolize her former glory and influence, which are now deeply contrasted by her current state where even basic necessities like “zapatos ni vestidos” are unaffordable. This harsh decline is further deepened by the description of her fading beauty and sorrow, symbolized by her dim eyes and pale complexion (“Ya no tienen sus ojazos / esos fuertes resplandores”). The repeated mention of her illness and poverty evoke empathy, illustrating the physical and emotional toll of her changed circumstances.



El motivo (Pobre paica) in historic Context

Written in the early 20th century, a period when tango was emerging as a cultural phenomenon in Argentina, “El motivo (Pobre paica)” reflects societal attitudes and the transient nature of fame and beauty. This era also saw many individuals moving to Buenos Aires in search of better lives, often ending up in hardship, mirrored in the paica’s story. The tango serves not only as entertainment but as a social commentary, giving voice to the often overlooked or forgotten individuals in society.



Pascual Contursi

Pascual Contursi was an influential Argentine lyricist known for pioneering the sung tango.