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.
Milonguita (Esthercita) is a Tango written by Samuel Linnig and composed by Enrique Delfino.
“Milonguita,” also known as “Esthercita,” tells the poignant story of a woman whose life transitions from the innocence of youth to the harsh realities of adult life in the nightlife of Buenos Aires. Beginning as a young girl nicknamed “Milonguita,” she is remembered as the most beautiful in Chiclana, characterized by her short skirts and braids kissed by sunlight. The lyrics reveal her life’s shift as she becomes embroiled in the world of nightclubs and cabarets, eventually longing for a simpler, purer existence reflected in her desire to “dress in percale”—a metaphor for reclaiming her lost innocence.
The symbolism in “Milonguita” is rich with contrasts between light and shadow, which Linnig uses to great effect. “Beso de sol” (kiss of the sun) in her braids represents her youthful innocence and vitality, which starkly contrasts with the night setting of her adult life, symbolizing moral ambiguity and decay. The metaphor of her wishing to wear percale—a plain, simple fabric—epitomizes her desire to return to a simpler, purer state, free from the corruption of her current environment. References to being brought low by men and the compensatory glamor of nightlife reveal the destructive cycles often faced by women in her position during the era.
Recorded in 1959, “Milonguita” captures a snapshot of mid-20th century Buenos Aires, a time when tango culture deeply influenced the city’s social and cultural fabric. The song’s setting at Chiclana, a notable avenue in Buenos Aires, and references to the nightlife venues, frame a vivid picture of the nocturnal, urban landscape that tango music often romanticized but also critiqued. This period was marked by rapid urbanization and cultural shifts, with cabarets and nightclubs becoming central to the city’s nightlife, often reflecting broader themes of social change and personal transformation.
Samuel Linnig, a notable figure in the world of tango, was known for his emotive and culturally resonant lyrics. His work often explores themes of love, loss, and societal change.