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.
Manon is a Tango written by Antonio Miguel Podestá and composed by Arturo De Bassi.
“Manon” explores themes of love, loss, and nostalgia through its poignant lyrics. The protagonist laments the memories of a loved one named Manon, expressing deep sorrow and emotional attachment to her. The lyrics convey a story where life feels stagnant and painful without Manon, emphasizing her importance with each mention of her name. The recurring mention of life (“vida”) highlights a life now bereft of passion and motion, tethered to the memories of Manon, who is affectionately recalled with cultural references, merging French and Argentine identities (“francesita gaucha”).
The name “Manon” itself carries a symbolism of enduring love, evoking references perhaps to the French cultural context, possibly nodding to characters like Manon Lescaut, a figure representing beauty and the complexities of romantic commitment. The lyrics use metaphors such as “vida vieja” (old life) and “pena dulce” (sweet sorrow) to deepen the emotional narrative, symbolizing an existence that is both old from weariness and sweetened by the lingering memories of love. The “nido,” or nest, mentioned in the song serves as a metaphor for the home or safe haven shared by the narrator and Manon, which was humble yet filled with the grandeur of their shared dreams.
The song “Manon” was written during 1942, a period that globally was marked by the throes of World War II, but in Argentina, it was a time of cultural blossoming, particularly in the art of tango. Buenos Aires during this era was a melting pot of influences, where European immigrants infused local culture with diverse influences. The reference to snow-covered neighborhoods and merging of Parisian imagery with local Argentine characteristics reflects this cultural and emotional amalgamation, encapsulating a nostalgic yearning for both the romantic Paris and the local Argentine identity during a tumultuous historical period.
Antonio Miguel Podestá was an influential tango lyricist known for his profound and emotive lyrics, capturing the spirit of Argentine tango culture.