Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Style
Orchestra
Singer
Author
Composer
Date
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.
La gaucha Petrona (Petiza y panzona) is a Tango written by Mario Rada and composed by Enrique Delfino.
The lyrics of “La gaucha Petrona” unfold the lighthearted, yet somewhat mocking tale of Petrona, portrayed as a rather unattractive woman (“Chueca, tuerta, flaca y fiera”) who, surprisingly, finds not just one, but three suitors. The narrative humorously explores her interactions and critical decisions regarding these admirers, each flawed in unique ways, thereby reflecting on the broader theme of love’s irrational and often unexpected nature.
The song employs vivid and exaggerated imagery to enhance its comedic effect. Phrases like “Más pelao que gallo’e riña picoteao” (bald as a pecked fighting rooster) and “tiene la nariz lo mismo que un abrojo” (his nose is like a thistle) symbolize the suitors’ ludicrous inadequacies. Petrona’s situation symbolizes the often unpredictable and farcical aspects of love and attraction, mocking societal norms that expect romantic decisions to be purely rational.
Recorded in 1933, amidst the socio-economic fluctuations of Argentina, “La gaucha Petrona” could be seen as an escape into humor and melodrama from the harsh realities of the time. During this era, tango often served both as a reflection of daily life and as a theatrical exaggeration of it, allowing people a form of emotional and cultural expression that was deeply embedded in the Argentine identity.
Mario Rada was an influential figure in the world of Tango, known for his engaging lyrics that often wove humor and wit into the narratives of ordinary life.