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