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.
La maleva is a Tango written by Mario Pardo and composed by Antonio Buglione.
“La maleva,” translates to “The Malicious One” in English, and dives deep into the emotional saga of a woman’s return to her humble beginnings after a period of glamorous, yet unsatisfactory, life. The lyrics capture the return of a woman to the gritty reality of her old neighborhood, a return driven perhaps by a sense of repentance and the need for genuine human connections that her previous, flashier lifestyle could not offer. Reflecting the classic tango themes of nostalgia and the disillusionment with superficial grandeur, Mario Pardo portrays a poignant narrative of redemption and realignment with one’s roots.
The title itself, “La maleva,” symbolizes the once vicious or wicked persona of the protagonist, marking her past behaviors and lifestyle choices. The repeated use of phrases like “volvés a tu vida primera” and “vuelve a ser mujer” symbolize a rebirth or a return to authenticity, shedding the artificial layers acquired over time. Furthermore, the transformation from attending glamorous parties to rejecting “copetines, ni tangos ni bandoneón” suggests a symbolic cleansing, an emotional stripping back to what is considered real and meaningful.
Recorded in 1942, during a particularly turbulent period in Argentina’s history marked by political instability and social upheavals, “La maleva” might be reflecting a broader societal desire for return to simpler, more stable times. This period saw a shift towards more nationalist sentiments and introspective cultural expressions in Argentina. The tango, inherently dramatic and reflective, served as a perfect medium to comment on such personal and collective transformations amidst the changing Argentinian landscape. The return to one’s roots, as depicted in the song, could also parallel the nationalistic push towards ‘Argentinian essence’ prevalent during the era.
Mario Pardo was a distinguished Argentine lyricist and tango composer, known for his evocative lyrics and deep connection to the traditional tango culture of Argentina.