Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Style
Orchestra
Singer
Author
Composer
Date
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 poncho del amor is a Tango written by Alberto Vacarezza and composed by Antonio Scatasso.
The lyrics of “El poncho del amor” narrate the story of a man from the neighborhood of la ribera, the cradle of tango and the bandoneón. This character portrays a life deeply intertwined with the essence of tango itself—free-spirited and resonant with the old ‘gringo’ spirit. He describes his incursion into the world of milongas (dance parties) where he lost his path, caught in the embrace of a woman. This encounter leads him into a vagabond life, driven by the pain of unrequited love, as he tries unsuccessfully to forget her. Throughout, the singer struggles with the emotional ‘poncho’ or cloak that suffocates his soul.
The symbolism in “El poncho del amor” revolves significantly around the ‘poncho’, used here metaphorically as a covering or burden of love that one cannot escape from. The poncho, a traditional Latin American garment that provides warmth and protection, in this context, represents the overwhelming and all-encompassing force of love that shrouds and controls the psyche. The recurring reference to the neighborhood and elements like the bandoneón emphasize a return to roots and origin, reflecting on how his environment and past experiences shape his emotional turmoil.
“El poncho del amor” was written in 1927, a period when Argentina was under the influence of radical political ideas and societal changes post-World War I. This period saw a flourishing of the tango as a form of expression and cultural identity amidst the evolving social landscape. The insertion of specific cultural markers like ‘barrio de la ribera’, ‘tango’, and ‘bandoneón’ situates the song deeply within Argentine cultural and historical idioms. These elements are not just symbolic of Argentine identity but are also reflective of the nostalgia and melodic sorrow characteristic of the tango music of this era.
Alberto Vacarezza was an influential Argentine playwright and lyricist, known for his works that vividly depicted the life and characters of Buenos Aires, particularly its more humble neighborhoods.