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 once (A divertirse) is a Tango written by Emilio Fresedo and composed by Osvaldo Fresedo.
The lyrics of “El once (A divertirse)” invoke a narrative of overcoming personal sorrow and embracing life’s fleeting pleasures. The speaker advises against allowing grief to overtake one’s life, suggesting instead to find solace in entertainment and joy. Themes of resilience and ephemeral joy are predominant, reflecting the cultural temperament of the 1920s in Argentina, a period marked by both economic fluctuations and rich cultural expression.
Symbolism in the tango is rich, notably through elements like “the wind,” “pain,” and “the forgetting.” These metaphors serve to universalize the experience of coping with hardship. The wind carries away sorrows, advocating for a release of pain rather than allowing it to fester. “The forgetting” symbolizes a necessary escape from the burdens of reality, further emphasized by indulging in merriment and music, which serve as therapeutic and transformative. The song leverages traditional tango themes of escapism and momentary pleasures, capturing the paradox of seeking transient happiness as a means to tackle life’s enduring struggles.
Recorded in 1927, during a volatile period in Argentina’s history marked by rapid modernization and social change post-World War I, “El once (A divertirse)” mirrors the societal urge to find reprieve through entertainment. The lyrics, advocating for happiness and leisure as a resistance to pain and sorrow, also reflect the spirit of resilience that the Argentine population held during the times of economic and political instability. The mention of tangible elements like “liquor” and “cigar smoke” are rooted in the social scenes of the era, symbolizing common means of diversion and social interaction in the nightlife scenes of Buenos Aires.
A prolific Argentine tango lyricist, Emilio Fresedo was known for his deep engagement with the sentiments of the ordinary people of Buenos Aires, often reflecting their joys, sorrows, and daily struggles in his work.