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.
The lyrics of “Milonguita (Esthercita)” tell a poignant story of a woman named Esther, affectionately called Milonguita, who transitions from a radiant young girl in the neighborhood of Chiclana to a woman of the night, embodying both innocence lost and the harsh realities of life choices influenced by societal pressures and personal circumstances. The nostalgic remembrance of her past by the singer contrasts sharply with her present state, highlighting themes of lost innocence, the emotional impact of life in cabaret culture, and a yearning for the simplicity and purity of youth.
Symbols are richly sewn throughout the tango, starting with Milonguita’s transition from wearing “percal” (a simple, modest fabric) to being a ‘flor de noche y de placer’ (a metaphor for a woman of the night, often associated with luxury and decadence). The symbolic use of “trapped under the guise of champagne tears” portrays the facade she maintains, hiding her true emotions behind the perceived glamour of her lifestyle. The juxtaposition of references to her earlier life, “la pollera cortona y las trenzas” (the short skirt and braids), and her current life underscores her internal conflict and transformation.
Recorded in Argentina in 1961, “Milonguita (Esthercita)” reflects the socio-economic conditions of the time, where tango music often intertwined with stories of the urban underclass and their struggles. The cabarets of Buenos Aires served as both a cultural hub and a symbol of moral decline, where many young women, often from impoverished backgrounds, found themselves drawn to a life filled with transient pleasures and enduring hardships. This tango captures the essence of such a life, set against the backdrop of Argentine cabaret culture, which was both vilified and celebrated in its portrayal of raw human emotions and societal dilemmas.
Samuel Linnig, an Argentine lyricist, is renowned for capturing the essence of Buenos Aires’ societal complexities through his tango lyrics that often delve into themes of love, betrayal, and existential despair.