Los muñequitos by Oscar Rubens

Los muñequitos is a Tango written by Oscar Rubens and composed by Francisco Pracánico.

Story behind the Tango Los muñequitos

The lyrics of “Los muñequitos” portray a poignant nostalgia, focusing on childhood memories contrasted with the painful realities of adult life. The narrator grapples with emotional turmoil, invoking the simple joys and innocence of playing with cardboard dolls—symbols of a past era. This recollection serves as a momentary escape from the anguish of their current existence, emphasized by repeated invocations for these ‘muñequitos’ to dance and jump as in the past, thereby rekindling a semblance of lost happiness.

Symbolism of Los muñequitos

The cardboard dolls (‘muñequitos de cartón’) are emblematic of innocence and the ephemeral nature of childhood. These seemingly trivial toys are endowed with profound emotional significance, acting as vessels for happiness in the narrator’s troubled times. The repetition of dance and play commands underscores a desperate attempt to reengage with a lighter, more carefree period as a means to soothe the narrator’s current heartache, which they describe as burning their heart.

Los muñequitos in historic Context

Composed in Argentina during the late World War II period (1943), “Los muñequitos” emerges in a time fraught with global uncertainty and individual anxiety. The nostalgic call harkens back to a simpler, more secure time, likely resonating deeply with a populace wearied by the socio-economic strains of wartime. This context enriches the emotional weight of the tango, framing it as a collective yearning for peace and normalcy amidst chaos.

Oscar Rubens

Oscar Rubens was a notable lyricist in the Argentine tango scene, recognized for weaving complex emotions into his works.