Me enamoré una vez by Ivo Pelay

Me enamoré una vez is a Tango written by Ivo Pelay and composed by Francisco Canaro.

Story behind the Tango Me enamoré una vez

The tango “Me enamoré una vez” portrays a narrative of unrequited love and emotional resilience. It expresses the theme of one-sided affection where the speaker was deeply in love, but their affections were not reciprocated. As time progresses, when the previously indifferent beloved begins to show interest, the speaker has moved on, indicating a decisive closure to their past emotions. The lyrics use a direct conversational tone to depict a transformation from vulnerability to strength and self-respect.

Symbolism of Me enamoré una vez

The recurring phrase “Me enamoré una vez” which translates to “I fell in love once” symbolizes the idea of learning from past experiences. It suggests a finality, a resolution not to repeat the same mistake of giving oneself wholly to unreciprocated love. The metaphor “no te doy alpiste,” literally meaning “I won’t give you birdseed,” figuratively implies refusing to nourish the other’s newfound interest, highlighting a reclaiming of self-worth and independence. The reference to “socio” or “partner” in business terms also symbolically prioritizes practical and reciprocal relationships over unfulfilling emotional pursuits.

Me enamoré una vez in historic Context

Recorded in 1933, a time when the global community was grappling with the Great Depression, “Me enamoré una vez” might reflect a broader theme of disillusionment and the urge to find reliability in an unstable world. The shift in personal dynamics from romantic pursuits to more ‘business-like’ relationships can be seen as a metaphor for a societal shift towards practicality and guardedness in personal interactions.

Ivo Pelay

Ivo Pelay was an Argentine playwright and lyricist, known for his works in the early to mid-20th century.