Loca by Antonio Viergol

Loca is a Tango written by Antonio Viergol and composed by Manuel Jovés.

Story behind the Tango Loca

The lyrics of “Loca” provide a deep and personal narrative about a woman reflecting on her life, marred by societal expectations and personal regrets. The isolation and misunderstanding she feels emanate from her lines, revealing that those who call her “crazy” or “Loca” are merely spectators of her superficial behavior, failing to comprehend the profound sorrow and remorse hidden beneath her feigned joviality. The recurring refrain, where she questions the knowledge others have of her true feelings, serves to emphasize the disconnect between her internal state and her outward actions.

Symbolism of Loca

Key phrases such as “disfrazar mi tristeza” (disguising my sadness) and “Yo tengo que ahogar en vino la pena que me devora” (I have to drown in wine the sorrow that devours me) illustrate the extensive use of symbolism relating to masks and consumption. These symbolisms are metaphors for the coping mechanisms the protagonist adopts to survive socially. The poignant memory of her distant home and the innocence lost with her departure symbolizes a fall from grace and a longing for a possibly unattainable purity and peace, evident in her yearning for the sun-drenched home of her past and the now lost “tranquilo hogar” (quiet home).

Loca in historic Context

Recorded in 1946 Argentina, “Loca” can be seen as a reflection of the post-war societal transformations and the struggles of individual identity amidst rapid changes. This period was one of political and social upheaval in Argentina, which may have influenced Viergol’s representation of an individual’s painful adjustment to a new social environment, mirrored in the lyrics’ narrative of adaptation and loss of self. The historical melancholy of the time is interwoven with personal tragedy, as the protagonist laments the destruction of both physical and intangible elements of her past life, symbolizing the broader losses experienced by society.

Antonio Viergol

Antonio Viergol was a lyricist known for his emotional depth in Tango compositions, capturing intricate human emotions and societal nuances.