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Malena

Malena is a Tango written by Lucio Demare and recorded by Miguel Caló in 1965. The Tango Malena is written by Lucio Demare, Miguel Caló has recorded Malena with the singer Roberto Luque.
“Malena” translates to “Little Brown One” in English, a name that carries a whisper of mystery and allure. It evokes the image of a captivating figure, shrouded in dusky elegance, moving gracefully through the shadows of a dimly lit ballroom. The music itself, rich with longing and nostalgia, tells the story of this enigma who captivates hearts and souls.

Tango

Style

Miguel Caló

Orchestra

Roberto Luque

Singer

Homero Manzi

Author

Lucio Demare

Composer

1965/1/1

Date

Roberto Luque
Roberto Luque
Miguel Caló
Miguel Caló

Discover Other Orchestras

Orquesta Típica Victor – Tranquilo viejo tranquilo – 1943/7/2
Orquesta Típica Victor – Qué querés soy así – 1930/6/23
Orquesta Típica Victor – Patoteros – 1927/11/25
Orquesta Típica Victor – Nene caprichoso – 1943/7/2
Orquesta Típica Victor – Los cardales – 1930/10/11
Francisco Rotundo – Una copa nada más – 1949/1/1
Francisco Rotundo – Muchachos silencio – 1953/1/5
Francisco Rotundo – Lo siento en el alma – 1954/9/17
Francisco Rotundo – Farolito viejo – 1954/11/16
Francisco Rotundo – Bandoneón arrabalero – 1950/8/18
Enrique Francini – Ojos negros – 1970/8/27
Enrique Francini – Bailonga – 1958/3/14
Enrique Francini – La cumparsita – 1977/1/1
Enrique Francini – La miel de tu boquita – 1956/12/20
Enrique Francini – Un tango para el recuerdo – 1956/3/7
Edgardo Donato – Noche sevillana – 1934/3/12
Edgardo Donato – Madame Ivonne – 1935/2/20
Edgardo Donato – El día que me quieras – 1935/6/13
Edgardo Donato – Los piratas – 1932/1/1
Edgardo Donato – Cómo se pianta la vida – 1950/12/26

Recommended

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.

Malena recorded by other Orchestras

Malena recorded by other Orchestras

1965/1/1 – Que falta que me haces – Miguel Calo
1965/1/1 – Caminito – Miguel Calo
1965/1/1 – A media luz – Miguel Calo
1965/1/1 – A media luz – Miguel Calo
1965/1/1 – Adios pampa mia – Miguel Calo
Malena – 1942/1/8 – Anibal Troilo – Francisco Fiorentino
Malena – (unknown date) – Anibal Troilo – Raul Beron
Malena – 1974/12/11 – Osvaldo Pugliese – Instrumental
Malena – 1965/1/1 – Miguel Calo – Raul Del Mar
Malena – 1965/1/1 – Miguel Calo – Roberto Luque
Malena – 1942/1/23 – Lucio Demare – Juan Carlos Miranda
Malena – 1951/9/20 – Lucio Demare – Hector Alvarado
Malena – 1957/1/1 – Lucio Demare – Instrumental
Malena – 211/12/1 – Horacio Salgan – Instrumental

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Malena

This is the translation of the Tango “Malena” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Malena” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Malena

Malena canta el tango como ninguna

y en cada verso pone su corazón.

A yuyo del suburbio su voz perfuma,

Malena tiene pena de bandoneón.

Tal vez allá en la infancia su voz de alondra

tomó ese tono oscuro de callejón,

o acaso aquel romance que sólo nombra

cuando se pone triste con el alcohol.

Malena canta el tango con voz de sombra,

Malena tiene pena de bandoneón.



Tu canción

tiene el frío del último encuentro.

Tu canción

se hace amarga en la sal del recuerdo.

Yo no sé

si tu voz es la flor de una pena,

sólo sé que al rumor de tus tangos, Malena,

te siento más buena,

más buena que yo.



Tus ojos son oscuros como el olvido,

tus labios apretados como el rencor,

tus manos dos palomas que sienten frío,

tus venas tienen sangre de bandoneón.

Tus tangos son criaturas abandonadas

que cruzan sobre el barro del callejón,

cuando todas las puertas están cerradas

y ladran los fantasmas de la canción.

Malena canta el tango con voz quebrada,

Malena tiene pena de bandoneón.

English lyrics of the Tango "Malena"

Malena sings the tango like no other,
and in every verse, she lays her heart.
With the scent of suburban herbs her voice perfumes,
Malena feels the sorrow of the bandoneon.

Perhaps back in her childhood her lark-like voice
took on that dark tone of backstreet hues,
or perhaps that romance she only mentions
when she gets sad with alcohol.

Malena sings the tango with a shadowy voice,
Malena feels the sorrow of the bandoneon.

Your song
has the chill of the last meeting.
Your song
turns bitter in the salt of memory.
I do not know
if your voice is the flower of sorrow,
all I know is that to the sound of your tangos, Malena,
you seem kinder,
kinder than I.

Your eyes are as dark as oblivion,
your lips tight with bitterness,
your hands like two doves that feel the cold,
your veins carry the blood of the bandoneon.
Your tangos are forsaken creatures
that trudge through the mud of the alley,
when all the doors are closed
and ghosts of the song bark.
Malena sings the tango with a broken voice,
Malena feels the sorrow of the bandoneon.

Malena by Homero Manzi

Malena is a Tango written by Homero Manzi and composed by Lucio Demare.


Story behind the Tango Malena

The lyrics of “Malena” depict the portrait of a woman whose life and soul seem intricately entwined with the tango she sings. Homero Manzi employs Malena’s deep, emotional connection to her music as a metaphor to explore themes of sorrow, nostalgia, and perhaps a hint of a troubled past. Through these nuances, Manzi crafts a poignant narrative that transcends the mere act of singing, elevating Malena to a symbol of more profound human experiences and emotions.


Symbolism of Malena

Homero Manzi uses various symbolic elements to enhance the emotional depth of “Malena.” For instance, the juxtaposition of “tango” with “pena de bandoneón” (suffering of the bandoneon) personifies the dance and the instrument, reflecting the depth of Malena’s unspoken pain. The reference to her voice having a “yuyo del suburbio” fragrance evokes an image of something beautiful emerging from a neglected, rough background, symbolizing perhaps resilience or a tarnished innocence. The language not only paints vivid imagery but also portrays the complexity of Malena’s character as intertwined with her environment—both somber and beautifully haunting.


Malena in historic Context

Being created in 1965, the context of the song “Malena” can be reflective of the socio-economic conditions during this time in Argentina. The country was experiencing political upheaval and social changes. This setting might have contributed to the melancholic and reflective nature of the tango, allowing audiences to find solace or companionship in Malena’s woes and the somber melodies of the bandoneon. The emphasis on tango, a quintessential element of Argentine culture, underscores a longing for connection or return to roots amidst the chaotic environment.


Homero Manzi

Homero Manzi was a renowned Argentine lyricist, famed for his role in the Golden Age of Argentine Cinema and an influential figure in the tango genre.