Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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.
Ganzúa is a Tango written by Carlos Bahr and composed by Juan D’Arienzo y Fulvio Salamanca.
‘Ganzúa’ translates to ‘Picklock’ in English, which fits perfectly with the narrative of the song. The lyrics tell a story of a man who began his life with minor criminal activities, starting with tram robbery and eventually graduating to breaking and entering. This character claims expertise in picking locks, symbolizing not just physical locks, but also attempting to unlock the barriers around people’s hearts. His most significant defeat comes not from his criminal exploits but from failing to win the love of a woman. His life of crime winds down with age, and he keeps his lock-picking tools as a symbolic reminder of his youthful indiscretions, whimsically hoping they might even work on heavenly gates.
The ganzúa or picklock is a potent symbol throughout the tango, representing the protagonist’s skill and cunning in bypassing physical and emotional defenses. However, it also signifies his ultimate vulnerability—his inability to ‘unlock’ a woman’s love, which he desired most. This theme is deepened by phrases like “fui modesta autoridad” and “no hubo nunca cerradura que me hiciera patinar,” showing his confidence in his criminal abilities contrasted sharply with his emotional failures. “Una falda más esquiva que sonrisa de botón” poetically describes the woman as elusive, challenging any traditional methods he might use to win her over, thus highlighting the limits of his ‘tools.’
The tango was recorded in 1951, a time in Argentina when the nation was undergoing significant political and social changes under Juan Perón. In this context, ‘Ganzúa’ might be seen not only as a reflection of personal story but also as a metaphor for the societal desire to break free from the traditional constraints and explore new, albeit sometimes morally ambiguous, pathways. The lyrics reflect a yearning to escape from a cycle, whether it be crime or societal expectations, which resonates with the broader desires of mid-20th century Argentine society.
Carlos Bahr was a notable Argentine lyricist and poet, recognized for his significant contributions to the genre of tango, with a keen ability to weave complex emotions and narratives into his works.