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.
Mano a mano is a Tango written by Celedonio Flores and composed by Carlos Gardel.
Mano a mano” (Hand to hand) is a poignant look at a past romance where the speaker reminisces and confronts an old love. The lyrics unfold a tale of affection and life’s hardships, detailing a journey from loving intimacy to a sobering detachment. It speaks to the decline of a relationship, personal growth, and the complex interplay of memories and present realities. The protagonist addresses a former lover, reflecting on their shared past with both resentment and a hint of gratitude. This tango, imbued with emotional depth, explores themes of love, societal ascent, and misfortunes, bringing forth a narrative that resonates with the struggles of the marginalized in Argentine society.
The phrase “mano a mano” itself, translating to “hand to hand,” symbolizes an intimate yet equal confrontation or reckoning, suggesting a candid, direct form of settlement between the singer and the woman. The song uses vivid imagery and terms like “bacana” (a term for a woman who has risen in social status) and “milonguero” (a tango dancer) to convey changes in social standing and lifestyle. Descriptive language and symbolic contrasts between past poverty and current affluence reflect on deeper themes of transformation and betrayal, highlighting a bittersweet understanding of life’s transient victories.
Written and performed in the mid-20th century Argentina, a time marked by social and economic changes, “Mano a mano” mirrors the complexities of personal relationships amidst shifting societal values. The tango, popular in Buenos Aires’ urban culture, often captured the melancholic spirit of the city’s underclass and their dreams. By 1965, tango had evolved to not just a dance but a narrative medium reflecting on themes of love, disappointment, and human resilience. This song, hence, serves as both a personal account and a broader social commentary, emphasized through the metaphor of tango itself – a dance combining passion, struggle, and elegance.
Celedonio Flores was an Argentine poet and tango lyricist, famed for his involvement in the evolution of the tango lyric from simple verses to more sophisticated and introspective expressions.