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.
Lechuza is a tango written by Alfredo Navarrine and composed by Julio Navarrine.
The song “Lechuza” narrates the demise of an individual, referred to by the nickname “Lechuza”, within the context of the urban underbelly of Argentina. This individual arrives in a neighborhood at dusk, seemingly in search of a place to stay, evidently run down and carrying heavy burdens. The lyrics paint the picture of an aged criminal whose life has lost its direction and vitality. His tragic end comes as he collapses near a balcony, clutching his heart in desperation, symbolizing perhaps both a literal and metaphorical heartbreak or betrayal.
“Lechuza” translates from Spanish as “owl,” a nocturnal bird often associated with wisdom but sometimes with bad omens. In the song, Lechuza’s fate is sealed as he overhears a haunting song, perhaps symbolizing the internal and external voices that echo the final judgments on his life. Specifically, the repeated imagery of Lechuza “kissing the cross of a dagger” potently combines themes of betrayal, sacrifice, and possibly redemption or resignation in his final moments. The contrasts between his former vibrant life and his grim ending provide profound emotional depth to the narrative.
Written and recorded in 1928, “Lechuza” emerged during a period of significant social and economic transformations in Argentina. The late 1920s preluded the Great Depression, affecting even the remote corners of global societies including Argentina. This era also witnessed the decline of the traditional compadrito (city toughs), and the tango lyrics often reflect the melancholy, nostalgia, and dramatic transitions within the barrios (neighborhoods). Alfredo Navarrine uses the story of Lechuza to highlight the drastic shifts in societal roles where former criminals (malevo) succumb to new societal demands—either through reform or death.
Alfredo Navarrine was both a poet and lyricist whose works primarily capture the essence and transformation of Argentine society during the early 20th century.