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.
Garras is a Tango written by José María Contursi and composed by Aníbal Troilo.
The lyrics of “Garras” portray a narrative woven with themes of loneliness, unrequited love, and despair. The song opens with the image of a dimly lit alley where the narrator is waiting, enveloped in coldness and shadows, symbolizing the dark feelings of abandonment and hopelessness. The lyrics reveal a deep yearning tethered to an unattainable love, emphasizing the pain of existence in the absence of the beloved. As the tango unfolds, the emotional strain becomes unbearable, leading the narrator through a journey shadowed by grief and solitude, ending in emptiness and acceptance of their heartache.
The tango uses potent symbols to deepen the emotional tone. Phrases like “Callejón sin luz” (alley without light) and “sombras” (shadows) establish an atmosphere of desolation and loss. The repeated invoking of cold “frío,” shadows, and the void left by the loved one’s absence convey the chill of emotional abandonment. The line, “mis penas que se agarran como garras” (my sorrows that grip like claws), from which the song takes its name, powerfully illustrates the visceral pain felt by the narrator, portraying feelings of grief and torment as claws tearing at the heart.
“Garras” emerged during a period in Argentina where Tango often reflects deeper social and emotional unrest. By 1967, Argentina was undergoing significant political and social changes, and these shifts often echoed in the poignant, introspective lyrics of tangos composed during this era. The feelings of alienation and loss within “Garras” might mirror the collective disillusionment felt by many during a time of uncertainty. This setting intensifies the song’s emotional depth, making it not only a personal narrative of heartbreak but also a reflection of broader societal sentiments.
José María Contursi was a prolific Argentine lyricist known for infusing his tangos with deep emotional and poetic quality.