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Engominado

Engominado is a Tango written by Fernando Montoni and recorded by Orquesta Típica Victor in 1928. Orquesta Típica Victor has recorded Engominado as an instrumental Tango.
“Engominado,” meaning “Slicked Back” in English, paints a vivid picture with its melody. The music courses through the atmosphere, conjuring images of polished shoes gliding confidently across a dimly lit dance floor. It captures the essence of charisma and elegance, evoking the spirit of a bygone era where style and sophistication took center stage.

Tango

Style

Orquesta Típica Victor

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Máximo Orsi

Author

Fernando Montoni

Composer

1928/7/28

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Orquesta Típica Victor
Orquesta Típica Victor

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Osvaldo Pugliese – Cuando llora la milonga – 1973/12/26
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Enrique Francini – Inspiración – 1956/1/19
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José Garcia – El distinguido ciudadano – 1942/4/17
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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.

Engominado recorded by other Orchestras

Engominado recorded by other Orchestras

1928/7/28 – Portero suba y diga – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1928/7/26 – La muchacha del circo – Osvaldo Fresedo
1928/7/26 – Pegaste la falta – Osvaldo Fresedo
1928/7/23 – Chorra – Carlos Gardel
1928/8/2 – Corazoncito (Nafa) – Carlos Gardel
Engominado – 1928/1/1 – Juan D-Arienzo – Carlos Dante
Engominado – 1928/7/28 – Orquesta Tipica Victor – Instrumental

Letra del Tango Engominado

Engominado te vieron la otra noche

Pasear en regio coche, echado bien pa´ atrás,

Te acompañaba un mono rematado

De dónde lo has sacado, así va sin domar.

No metás ruido con lo ajeno que no es de hombre

Y de chiripa, te has podido acomodar,

Hasta metiste la mula con tu nombre

Ya no sos “Tito”, “Raúl” te hacés llamar.



Es la historia muy sencilla:

La yugaba de chofer,

Y la cosa era muy vieja

Pero con mucho “tovén”.

El amor no mira clase

Y sabrán lo que pasó,

El muchacho agarró viaje

Y con ella se casó.



Hoy lo vemos noche a noche

Frecuentando el “cabaré”,

Fue hasta ayer un pobre gato

Quién lo ha visto y quién lo ve.

En la timba y las carreras

Se derrocha un fortunón,

Y a la vieja la ha dejado

Arrumbada en un rincón.



Seguí la farra, la vida es un suspiro

Y es de hombre precavido, saberla aprovechar,

Seguí la farra, que a nadie le interesa

Saber que fue una vieja quien te hizo pelechar.

No metás ruido con lo ajeno que no es de hombre

Y de chiripa te has podido acomodar,

Hasta metiste la mula con tu nombre

Ya no sos “Tito”, “Raúl” te hacés llamar.

English lyrics of the Tango "Engominado"

They saw you the other night, slicked up,
Riding in a grand coach, reclining back in style,
You were with a well-finished monkey,
Where did you pick it up, it’s still untamed.

Don’t make noise with what’s not yours, it’s not manly,
And by chance, you managed to settle in,
You even faked it with your name,
You’re no longer “Tito,” you now call yourself “Raúl.”

It’s a very simple story:
He worked as a chauffeur,
And the car was very old
But with much “charm.”
Love looks not at class
And they came to know what happened,
The boy took his chance
And married her.

Now, night after night, we see him
Frequenting the cabaret,
Until yesterday, just a poor guy
Who would have thought and seen him now.
In gambling and at the races,
He squanders a fortune,
And he has left the old woman
Tucked away in a corner.

Continue the spree, life is but a breath,
And it’s wise man’s deed, to make the most of it,
Continue the spree, nobody cares
To know that it was an old woman who made you sprout.
Don’t make noise with what’s not yours, it’s not manly,
And by chance, you managed to settle in,
You even faked it with your name,
You’re no longer “Tito,” you now call yourself “Raúl.”

Engominado by Máximo Orsi

Engominado is a Tango written by Máximo Orsi and composed by Fernando Montoni.



Story behind the Tango Engominado

The lyrics of “Engominado” narrate the tale of a man who rises from humble beginnings to a life of superficial glamour and luxury, only by marrying a wealthy older woman. The term “engominado,” translating to “slicked back” in English, symbolically refers to someone who has smartened up their appearance, but here it implies doing so for socially ambitious purposes. This tango tells a story of social climbing, opportunism, and the consequences of valuing wealth over genuine relationships.



Symbolism of Engominado

“Engominado” uses vivid imagery and metaphors to critique societal values. The “regio coche” (grand coach) symbolizes the newfound, unearned luxury of the protagonist. He is accused of pretending to be someone he is not: changing his name from Tito to Raúl symbolizes his rejection of his past identity to fit his new social aspirations. The mention of the “mono rematado” (literally, an auctioned monkey, colloquially a strange or outlandish person) perhaps criticizes the woman he marries or reflects the absurdity of his pretensions.



Engominado in Historic Context

“Engominado” was penned in 1928, a time when Buenos Aires witnessed significant social changes with the rise of the middle class and urban development. The tango reflects the materialism and social climbing that characterized the period, portraying a critical view of those who pursue wealth and status at the expense of authenticity. By using the tango, a popular urban music form, Orsi communicates directly with the urban populace who would be witnessing or partaking in these societal shifts.



Máximo Orsi

Máximo Orsi was a notable figure in the early tango scene, known for his vivid storytelling through lyrics that often reflected the societal changes in Argentina.