Luna llena by

Luna llena is a Tango written by and composed by Mario Perini.

Story behind the Tango Luna llena

“Luna llena” unfolds a poignant narrative woven through the emotive backdrop of tango. It paints a nocturnal scene, imbued with both serenity and turmoil, set against a backdrop of full moonlit skies over Buenos Aires. At its heart lies the image of a neighborhood—a street, a cloistered patio, a dripping fountain—that resonates with nostalgia and melancholy. The full moon, a central symbol, casts an indifferent eye over the ebb and flow of human emotions, highlighting themes of ennui, longing, and the cyclic nature of life’s passions and grievances.

Symbolism of Luna llena

The full moon is a recurring motif in the lyrics, symbolizing eternal cycles and indifferent observation of human affairs. The “red handkerchief” on the ground evokes a sense of passion and discarded love. The “spinning vane” on a rooftop, fashioned from tin, represents the transient yet ceaseless motion of life, caught between flirtation and fate. The moon, “round, bare, and serene,” juxtaposes against the chaotic fervor of the street, embodying a dualism of calm and commotion. Notable phrases like “the music sad of that heart” and “a shadow cursed” suggest an inner turmoil masked by the tango’s rhythmic beat, reflecting themes of love lost and unfulfilled desires.

Luna llena in historic Context

The tango was created in 1944 in Buenos Aires, a time when the city was a crucible of cultural and artistic expressions, emerging from the shadows of political turbulence. This era saw tango as a voice for the Argentine soul, marrying European influences with local traditions. The geographical specifics—a Buenos Aires street and enclosed patios—highlight the metropolitan essence of its origin, where tango became a canvas for the expression of urban emotional landscapes. The imagery of “a shouting street” and “infinite light” foregrounds the city’s vibrant yet often contentious dynamics during a period marked by both optimism and despair.

Overview of

The lyrics were crafted by , whose identity is intentionally unmentioned here, allowing his words to carry the tango’s emotional heft. His collaboration with Mario Perini, an eminent composer, channeled his lyrical prowess into a tango that resonates with the Zeitgeist of 1940s Buenos Aires.