Garras by José María Contursi

Garras is a Tango written by José María Contursi and composed by Aníbal Troilo.

Story behind the Tango Garras

“Garras” presents a poignant narrative set in a “Callejón sin luz” (dark alley), symbolizing a place devoid of hope and brightness, awaiting the return of a beloved who never comes. The lyrics convey intense loneliness and despair, embodying the agony of unrequited love and the sheer emptiness that follows heartbreak. José María Contursi crafts a tale of a person whose life dwindles in the shadows of abandonment, trying desperately to find warmth and light in a world that has become cold and dark.

Symbolism of Garras

The imagery in “Garras” is laden with darkness and cold, representing the emotional state of the narrator. Key phrases like “Agonía cruel… Luego soledad…” (Cruel agony… Then solitude…) and the repeated motif of the shadows and the cold reinforce the depth of the narrator’s suffering. Notably, the symbol of “garras” (claws) highlights the visceral pain gripping the heart, suggesting how the past torments can tear at one’s emotional wellbeing, much like claws tearing into flesh. This intense metaphor underscores the traumatic impact of the emotional experiences described.

Garras in Historic Context

The tango “Garras” was created in 1945, a period when Argentina was undergoing significant political and social changes. This era, just before the rise of Juan Domingo Perón, was marked by instability and a heightened sense of collective angst and individual uncertainty. The emotional intensity and themes of despair in the lyrics may reflect the broader societal anxieties of the time, providing a form of cathartic expression for listeners grappling with similar feelings of loss and disillusionment.

José María Contursi

José María Contursi was a prominent Argentine lyricist known for infusing his tango compositions with deep emotional narratives that often explored themes of love, heartache, and existential angst.