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 puñalada is a Tango written by Celedonio Flores and composed by Pintín Castellanos.
The lyrics of “La puñalada” tell a dramatic story of a man, known for his courage and well-established reputation in the Palermo neighborhood, who enters a dance hall filled with notable tough figures. The man, although initially tried to avoid confrontation, is provoked and spurred into action by the attention of the most beautiful and significant woman in the room. This leads to a violent confrontation reinforced by the woman’s inciting gaze, suggesting her influence and possibly manipulations in this toxic environment of male bravado.
The title “La puñalada,” which translates to “The Stabbing” in English, serves as a central symbol throughout this tango. It not only refers to the physical act of stabbing that climaxes the narrative but also symbolizes the betrayal and emotional wounds inflicted by the woman’s encouragement of the violence. The imagery of “se cruzó un gran rencor y otro rencor” (great resentment crossed with another resentment) under the dim light of a kerosene lamp vividly captures the moment of escalation, fueled by jealousy and pride.
“La puñalada” emerges from a 1987 Argentine tango culture where the depiction of machismo, duels of honor, and the romanticization of barrio (neighborhood) folklores were prevalent. Set in Palermo, a famous district in Buenos Aires known for its vibrant nightlife and history of nurturing tango culture, the song reflects not just individual confrontations but the collective acceptance of such violent ways as methods of solving disputes and proving one’s valor and standing within the community.
Celedonio Flores was an Argentine poet and tango lyricist, renowned for his contributions to the tango genre, encapsulating the life and soul of the Buenos Aires streets in his works.