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La maleva

La maleva is a Tango written by Antonio Buglione and recorded by Miguel Caló in 1943. Miguel Caló has recorded La maleva as an instrumental Tango.
“La Maleva,” translated to English as “The Tough Woman,” evokes the spirit of a fierce and independent soul navigating the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires. The name conjures imagery of resilience and defiance, a woman who dances through life’s challenges with unwavering strength. Her story is told through the melancholic yet passionate rhythms of tango, celebrating her indomitable spirit.

Tango

Style

Miguel Caló

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Mario Pardo

Author

Antonio Buglione

Composer

1943/8/10

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Miguel Caló
Miguel Caló

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La maleva recorded by other Orchestras

La maleva recorded by other Orchestras

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"

Wayward one, you have returned to the nest

of your repentant revelry,

you’re no longer the kept woman

who dazzled at the Pigall;

you no longer have those fancy whims

for luxury and milonga,

for vice and pleasure.

You return to your former life

and the dance hall girl

becomes a woman once more.

Perhaps someday,

hearing a wicked tango,

a desire will ignite in your soul

that will kill the heart.

You, who were always

the queen of the banquets,

no longer want little drinks,

nor tangos nor bandoneons.

And now back in your neighborhood

respected by everyone,

seeing your mother delighted

with your regeneration,

inside your heart

you must think that affection

spread its ermine cloak

to shelter you better.

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” translates to “The Tough Woman” in English, a term rooted deeply in Argentine slang. It details the journey of a woman returning to her roots after a life of indulgence driven by material and superficial desires. Pardo’s character, once the life of opulent milongas and a regular in glamorous bars like Pigall, abandons the dazzling but insincere lifestyle for a return to authenticity. His lyrics capture a profound narrative of repentance, renewal, and the magnetic pull of one’s origins. The contrast between her past and present life describes the soul-deep transformation, emphasizing themes of redemption and personal realignment.



Symbolism of La maleva

The repeated use of transformative imagery in “La maleva” underscores Pardo’s focus on change and redemption. Phrases like “ya no sos la mantenida” (you are no longer the kept woman) and “volvés a tu vida primera” (you return to your first life) highlight the dramatic shift from dependency to self-embracement. Pardo uses “malevo,” a word suggesting defiance and resilience, to hint at the inner strength required for such a transformation. The transition from the luxury of “copetines” (high-end drinks) to the simplicity of genuine respect within her community represents a cleansing of the soul, reinforced by the embrace of traditional tango music once shed by the protagonist.



La maleva in historic Context

Set in 1943 Argentina, “La maleva” emerges during a time of political and social upheaval. World War II impacted globally, while internally, Argentina faced changes leading to the rise of Peronism. The tango, a dance deeply woven into the Argentine culture, often echoed the sentiments of the working class and the disenchanted. In this context, Pardo’s tango captures not only personal redemption but symbolically, a society’s return to core values—a theme resonant with listeners grappling with the uncertainties of the era. The reference to places like “Pigall,” a notable nightlife spot, draws connections between personal spaces and broader cultural narratives, underscoring a return not only to personal integrity but to a collective, cultural identity.



Mario Pardo

Mario Pardo was a significant figure in Argentine tango, both as a lyricist and composer, known for his poignant narratives and deep emotional resonance in work such as “La maleva.”