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.
Mala Junta is a Tango written by Juan Velich and composed by Julio De Caro.
The lyrics of “Mala junta,” which translates to “Bad Company” in English, narrate a poignant tale of love and loss, centralized around a woman who lost herself due to the influence of bad company. Velich describes how this woman, driven by a thirst for glamorous yet hollow lifestyles, has forsaken her true affections and familial bonds, plunging those who love her into despair. The narrator reflects on the transformation brought by her change, mourning the loss of innocence and the bright future they could have shared.
The song title itself, “Mala junta,” or “Bad Company,” symbolizes the negative influences that can lead one astray from the path of righteousness and love. Phrases like “en la fiebre loca de mentidas galas” (in the wild fever of false fineries) and “níveas alas” (snow-white wings) utilize vibrant and contrasting imageries to depict the illusion of grandeur and the purity lost. This tango, with its haunting narrative, delves into themes of redemption and the eternal hope for the return of the prodigal, as expressed through the poignant call for the woman’s return to bring back “la alegría de vivir” (the joy of living).
“Mala junta” emerged in Argentina during the early 1950s, a period marked by significant social and political transformation. Post-World War II Argentina experienced rapid urbanization and changes in social norms, contexts that are mirrored in Velich’s lamentation over lost traditional values and the seduction of modern, yet hollow lifestyles. This socio-cultural backdrop makes the Tango not only a personal story of betrayal and loss but also a broader commentary on societal changes and the consequences of moral decay.
Juan Velich was an influential figure in the world of Tango, known for his emotive lyrics that often explored themes of love, sorrow, and societal issues.