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Micifuz

Micifuz is a Tango written by Adolfo Avilés and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1927. Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded Micifuz as an instrumental Tango.
“Micifuz,” or “Whiskers” in English, dances through the air with a feline grace, stirring the soul like a mischievous cat in tango shoes. The name evokes a playful spirit, whisking listeners away on a journey of curiosity and elegance. It’s a celebration of mystery and charm, where each note is a whisper of untold stories.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Enrique Maroni

Author

Adolfo Avilés

Composer

1927/6/8

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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Micifuz recorded by other Orchestras

Micifuz recorded by other Orchestras

Letra del Tango Micifuz

Micifuz
triste gato de albañal
¿por qué te das tanto corte
si yo conozco el resorte
que tu vida hace mover?
Misch
engrupido por las montas
de tu fama milonguera
y porque en una carrera
te apuntás con cien y cien.
¡Uñas lustradas, fomentos,
bataclanas y Florida
loas cosas que hay en la vida
que uno tiene que ver!
Un hijo de Farabutti,
el changador de la esquina,
dopado con cocaína
¡pero si es para no creer!

Y en otros tiempos, amigo,
patinaba en la miseria
con los bultos de la feria
por un poco de bullón,
hoy, ya corre en otra pista,
el muchacho tiene hermana
y una persona bacana
que las va de protector.
Micifuz
por qué tallás si no hay puntos
pobre gato de azotea,
recordá tu vida rea
y achicate en la intención.
¡Misch
todavía anda tu viejo,
pantalón y blusa azules,
campaneando en los baúles
allá por Constitución!

English lyrics of the Tango "Micifuz"

Micifuz
sad sewer cat,
why put on airs
when I know the trick
that makes your life tick?
Misch
swollen-chested from the mounts
from your tango fame,
and because in a race
you’re doubling down with hundreds.
Polished claws, big shots,
showgirls, and Florida Street,
the things in life
one has to see!
A son of Farabutti,
the hustler of the corner,
doped up on cocaine,
it’s almost unbelievable!

And in the past, my friend,
you skated in misery
with the fair’s bundles
for a bit of grub,
today, you race on another track,
the boy has a sister,
and some fancy person
acting as his guardian.
Micifuz
why act big when there’s nothing on the line,
poor rooftop cat,
remember your rough life
and tone down your aspirations.
Misch
your old man still wanders
in blue pants and shirt,
snooping in the trunks
around Constitución!

Micifuz by Enrique Maroni

Micifuz is a Tango written by Enrique Maroni and composed by Adolfo Avilés.



Story behind the Tango Micifuz

The tango “Micifuz” tells the story of a character who has seemingly risen from poverty to a life of superficial glamour and influence. The lyrics use the metaphor of a cat, specifically a rough and humble alley cat, to describe the protagonist’s origins and journey. The repeated questioning and reflections in the lyrics suggest a dialogue, possibly internal, where Micifuz is reminded of his humble beginnings despite his current airs and graces.



Symbolism of Micifuz

The most striking symbol in “Micifuz” is the titular character himself, Micifuz, which roughly translates from Argentine slang to mean “alley cat,” symbolizing someone from a rough background who is street-smart but perhaps not respected in higher social circles. The contrast between his past “skating in misery” and his current pretense of sophistication highlights themes of social climbing and the pretense often associated with it. Terms like “engrupido por las montas” (swollen with mounts) and references to flaunting wealth (e.g., “bataclanas y Florida”) accentuate the façade of success covering an inauthentic, possibly unfulfilled existence.



Micifuz in historic Context

Set in 1927 Argentina, “Micifuz” reflects the societal changes and the burgeoning urban culture in Buenos Aires, where tango was both a dance and a narrative form reflecting the life of the common people. The incorporation of elements like “dopado con cocaína” (doped with cocaine) points towards the emerging issues connected with urban life, such as drug use and the aspirations to move beyond one’s socio-economic status. The locations mentioned, such as “Florida” and “Constitución,” are emblematic of Buenos Aires, juxtaposing affluent areas with common neighborhoods, thus underlining the disparities and ambitions broached in the lyrics.



Enrique Maroni

Enrique Maroni was a prominent figure in the tango scene, known for capturing the spirit and the essence of early 20th-century Buenos Aires through his lyrics.