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Gato

Gato is a Tango written by Edgardo Donato and recorded by Edgardo Donato in 1937. The Tango Gato is written by Edgardo Donato, Edgardo Donato has recorded Gato with the singer Horacio Lagos.
“Gato,” meaning “Cat” in English, captures the essence of agility and mystique. Just as a cat moves with grace and unpredictability, the music flows with enchanting rhythms and unexpected turns. It weaves a tale of curiosity and charm, inviting listeners to explore a world both familiar and intriguingly new.

Tango

Style

Edgardo Donato

Orchestra

Horacio Lagos

Singer

Homero Manzi

Author

Edgardo Donato

Composer

1937/2/12

Date

Horacio Lagos
Horacio Lagos
Edgardo Donato
Edgardo Donato

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Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – A Pedro Maffia – 1968/9/11
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – Los mareados – 1968/9/11
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – Toda mi vida – 1968/8/5
Miguel Caló – Nada – 1965/1/1
Miguel Caló – Orquestas de mi ciudad – 1944/1/28
Miguel Caló – Soledad la de Barracas – 1945/7/5
Miguel Caló – Yira yira – 1964/3/13
Miguel Caló – Carriego – 1948/1/5
Alfredo De Angelis – Lluvia de estrellas – 1985/1/1
Alfredo De Angelis – Pastorcita de amancay – 1960/11/28
Alfredo De Angelis – Milonga celestial – 1964/5/1
Alfredo De Angelis – Corazón de oro – 1980/1/1
Alfredo De Angelis – Cosas olvidadas – 1958/8/21
Héctor Varela – La payanca – 1957/4/12
Héctor Varela – Igual que dos palomas – 1953/6/16
Héctor Varela – Sábado inglés – 1951/7/17
Héctor Varela – Con flauta y guitarra – 1960/3/18
Héctor Varela – Rosa mía – 1956/11/30

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.

1937/2/12 – Asi es el tango – Edgardo Donato
1937/2/15 – Gracia espanola – Roberto Firpo
1937/2/15 – La murra – Roberto Firpo
1937/2/22 – Siempre es carnaval – Osvaldo Fresedo
1937/2/22 – Sollozos – Osvaldo Fresedo

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Gato

This is the translation of the Tango “Gato” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Gato” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Gato

En el bosque de la vida, vive un pájaro [bípedo] sin plumas,
Que se mezcla (camina) entre la gente en favor de su disfraz.
Que se muestra cuando hay buenas, pero en las malas se esfuma,
Que se estira en l´aliviada y s´encoge en el cinchar.
Que se apropia de lo ajeno, que se viste con espuma,
Que aparenta estar sobrando y no tiene pa´ empezar.

¡Gato! Este bicho es tu retrato
¡Gato! Dibujado con carbón
¡Gato! Del sombrero a los zapatos
¡Gato! Se denuncia tu ambición

Exponente de este siglo, expresión de este momento,
Su chatura es el ‘standard’ que circula en la babel.
Por adentro es un vacío, por afuera un monumento
Retocado por la moda con un golpe de pincel.
Prototipo de mediocre, sin amor ni sentimiento,
Y arrastrado por los vientos como un trozo de papel.

English lyrics of the Tango "Gato"

In the forest of life, lives a featherless biped,
Blending with the crowd for the sake of his disguise.
He’s around when times are good, disappears when they’re bad,
Stretches at ease, shrinks when it’s time to commit.
Takes what’s not his, dresses up in froth,
Acts like he’s more than enough, yet has nothing to start.

Cat! This creature is your portrait
Cat! Sketched out in charcoal
Cat! From hat to shoes
Cat! Your greed is evident

Embodying this century, reflecting the present,
Its shallowness sets the standard in this babel.
Empty inside, a monument on the outside,
Touched up by fashion with a brushstroke.
A prototype of mediocrity, without love or feeling,
Dragged by the winds like a piece of paper.

Gato by Homero Manzi

Gato is a Tango written by Homero Manzi and composed by Edgardo Donato.



Story behind the Tango Gato

In “Gato,” Homero Manzi paints a vivid picture with a metaphor of a deceitful, shallow person depicted as a featherless bipedal bird camouflaged among the masses. This bird, or “Gato” as it is referred to, is conditional in its appearances—only visible during good times and absent during adversity. Manzi illustrates the character’s survival tactics which include exploiting others, putting on a facade, and adjusting their posture based on circumstances, to portray the fickleness and opportunistic nature typical of those who thrive on deception.



Symbolism of Gato

The central symbol in the tango “Gato” is the character described as a featherless bird. This imagery draws a stark contrast to the typical attributes of a bird, suggesting an anomaly or a natural deviance. The term “Gato,” which translates to “cat” in English, is a colloquial Argentine slang for someone cunning, sly, and capable of manipulating others to achieve their own ends. Further magnifying this metaphor, Manzi portrays the character’s life approach through symbolic contrasts, such as appearing voluminous superficially “dressed in foam” but fundamentally hollow and ambitious, alluding to the persona’s moral and emotional emptiness.



Gato in historic Context

Recorded in 1937 Argentina, a time of social and political upheaval, “Gato” encapsulates a critique of societal values. During this period, Argentina was experiencing significant changes with the rise of populism and shifts in social structures. Manzi’s lyrics reflect a disenchantment with the emerging façade of prosperity and critique the superficiality and opportunism he observed in society. The tango, thus serves as a social commentary on the hypocrisy and moral decay underlying the glittering surface of contemporary life.



Homero Manzi

Homero Manzi was an influential Argentine tango lyricist renowned for his poignant and evocative portrayals of life and culture in early 20th-century Argentina.