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 poncho del olvido is a Tango written by Enrique Maroni and composed by Adolfo Avilés.
The lyrics of “El poncho del olvido” reflect deep emotional suffering and regret interwoven with a critique of tango as a genre—blaming it for intensifying the singer’s sorrow. Throughout the song, the persona narrates the psychological struggle of covering his pain with a metaphorical ‘poncho of forgetting,’ suggesting a desire to hide his emotional torment. The continuous lament about tainted fortunes and unfulfilled desires, fuelled by haunting memories triggered by tango’s melodies, encapsulates the core narrative.
The central symbol in this tango—the “poncho del olvido”—is heavily laden with meaning. In traditional Latin American cultures, a poncho is not just a garment but a protective covering. Here, it metaphorically signifies an attempt to shield oneself from past pains and disappointments. Tango music itself is portrayed almost like an enchantment (“Tango brujo”), which traditionally means a bewitching or haunting tango, reanimating painful memories rather than soothing them. The references to “pañuelito del suburbio” (little handkerchief of the suburb) evoke the image of a humble, yet essential object used to dry tears of unrequited or lost love.
Recorded in Argentina in 1944, a period marked by political tension and the rise to power of Juan Domingo Perón shortly thereafter, “El poncho del olvido” resonates with the socio-economic climates of its time. Amidst uncertainty and change, tango music often captured the communal melancholy of the working classes. Furthermore, the choice to depict personal despair through a musical genre closely tied to national identity reflects a broader cultural practice of finding solace and expression through tango during times of social upheaval. The year 1944 itself, still bearing the throes of World War II, would have seen such cultural expressions as crucial outlets for public and private grievances.
Enrique Maroni was a prominent lyricist known for his deep involvement in the Argentine tango scene. His works often delve into themes of love, sorrow, and societal reflections.