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La maleva

La maleva is a Tango written by Antonio Buglione and recorded by Roberto Firpo in 1927. Roberto Firpo has recorded La maleva as an instrumental Tango.
“La maleva,” translating to “The Wild Woman” in English, is a piece that captures the fierce spirit and untamed soul of its heroine. This music or dance, perhaps a tango, embodies a bold and intense energy, resonating with the struggles and passions of a woman who defies societal norms. Through melancholic notes or vibrant movements, “La maleva” tells a story of independence and enduring strength.

Tango

Style

Roberto Firpo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Mario Pardo

Author

Antonio Buglione

Composer

1927/6/3

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Roberto Firpo
Roberto Firpo

Discover Other Orchestras

Osvaldo Pugliese – Desde el alma – 1985/12/26
Osvaldo Pugliese – Dónde estás – 1959/8/7
Osvaldo Pugliese – Si yo pudiera olvidarla – 1954/12/13
Osvaldo Pugliese – Bien de abajo – 1967/6/1
Osvaldo Pugliese – El pañuelito – 1959/7/23
Carlos Gardel – Quiéreme (3) – 1932/10/1
Carlos Gardel – Viejo rincón – 1925/1/1
Carlos Gardel – Delirio gaucho – 1930/9/25
Carlos Gardel – Lloró como una mujer – 1929/10/23
Carlos Gardel – Mis flores negras – 1922/1/1
Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – Adiós muchachos – 1964/1/1
Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – El arranque – 1960/1/1
Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – Romance de barrio – 1960/1/1
Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – Buenos Aires – 1960/1/1
Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – El pollo Ricardo – 1964/1/1
José Basso – Patotero sentimental – 1949/11/25
José Basso – Sentimiento gaucho – 1961/5/5
José Basso – El ciruja – 1967/1/1
José Basso – Soledad la de Barracas – 1968/1/1
José Basso – Siempre en mi amor – 1964/1/1

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.

La maleva recorded by other Orchestras

La maleva recorded by other Orchestras

1927/6/3 – Sentimiento criollo – Roberto Firpo
1927/6/3 – Oro muerto (Jiron porteno) – Roberto Firpo
1927/6/3 – 9 de Julio – Roberto Firpo
1927/6/4 – La serenata – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1927/6/4 – Rodriguez Pena – Orquesta Tipica Victor
La maleva – 1942/10/9 – Anibal Troilo – Instrumental
La maleva – 1949/7/26 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La maleva – 1943/8/10 – Miguel Calo – Instrumental
La maleva – 1939/3/24 – Rodolfo Biagi – Instrumental
La maleva – 1955/4/19 – Jose Basso – Oscar Ferrari
La maleva – 1967/5/9 – Hector Varela – Instrumental
La maleva – 1927/6/3 – Roberto Firpo – Instrumental

Letra del Tango La maleva

Maleva que has vuelto al nido

de tu garufa arrepentida,

ya no sos la mantenida

que deslumbraba en el Pigall;

ya no tenés más berretines

de lujo y milonga,

de vicio y placer.

Volvés a tu vida primera

y la milonguera

vuelve a ser mujer.



Tal vez algún día

oyendo un tango malevo

arderá en tu alma un deseo

que matará el corazón.

Vos, que siempre fuiste

la reina de los festines,

ya no querés copetines,

ni tangos ni bandoneón.



Y ahora de nuevo en tu barrio

y por todos respetada,

viendo tu vieja encantada

con tu regeneración,

dentro de tu corazón

has de pensar que el cariño

tendió su manto de armiño

para abrigarte mejor.

English lyrics of the Tango "La maleva"

Rogue who has returned to the nest

of your regretful revelry,

you’re no longer the kept woman

who dazzled at the Pigall;

you no longer have those whims

for luxury and milonga,

for vice and pleasure.

You return to your early life

and the milonguera

becomes a woman again.

Perhaps one day

hearing a wicked tango

a desire will burn in your soul

that will kill the heart.

You, who were always

the queen of the feasts,

no longer want little drinks,

nor tangos nor bandoneon.

And now back in your neighborhood

and respected by everyone,

seeing your old woman delighted

with your regeneration,

within your heart

you must think that affection

spread its ermine mantle

to better shelter you.

La maleva by Mario Pardo

La maleva is a Tango written by Mario Pardo and composed by Antonio Buglione.



Story behind the Tango La maleva

“La maleva” tells the story of a woman who returns to her origins after a life of luxury and dissipation. The word “maleva” translates to a tough, rebellious woman, often with connotations of being a fighter or living outside societal norms in Spanish. In this tango, “maleva” conveys both the past lifestyle and the resilience of the woman in question. Through its poignant lyrics, the song reflects a narrative of repentance and redemption, focusing on the transformation from a life perceived as morally degraded to one of respect and societal acceptance.



Symbolism of La maleva

The lyrics of “La maleva” use symbolic language to contrast the protagonist’s past and present life. Phrases like “volvés a tu vida primera”, or “you return to your first life”, symbolize rebirth and a stripping away of her fabricated existence. The rejection of “tangos ni bandoneón” underscores her distancing from the old environment linked to tango culture, which often represented passion and vice. The lyric “tendió su manto de armiño” uses the metaphor of an ermine cloak—a symbol of purity—signifying protection and a newfound dignity.



La maleva in Historic Context

The Tango “La maleva” was created in 1927, during a time when tango music was intertwined deeply with the urban culture of Argentina, especially Buenos Aires. During this period, tango was often a reflection of everyday stories of love, betrayal, and redemption, set against economic and social upheaval. Observing the evolution or revival of a woman from decadence to respectable life possibly reflected societal expectations of morality, gender roles, and redemption narratives prevalent in the conservative segments of Argentine society during the late 1920s.



Mario Pardo

Mario Pardo was a renowned lyricist and composer in the Argentine tango scene, notable for capturing deep emotional and societal nuances within his works.