Nada by Horacio Sanguinetti

Nada is a Tango written by Horacio Sanguinetti and composed by José Dames.

Story behind the Tango Nada

The lyrics of “Nada” vividly portray a haunting visit to a long-abandoned home, carrying themes of loss, nostalgia, and desolation. Through the journey to an old house, only to find it empty and overtaken by neglect, Sanguinetti conveys profound feelings of sorrow and heartache. The emotional depth of the song is amplified by the realization that not only the physical space but also the narrator’s connection to his past love, is irretrievably lost.

Symbolism of Nada

Symbolism runs deeply throughout “Nada”, particularly in the imagery of the house and its deteriorating state. The descriptions “Sólo telarañas que teje el yuyal” (Only cobwebs woven by the weeds) and the absence of the rosebush hint at the passage of time and the decay of memories. The locked gate, with its “candado de dolor” (lock of pain), symbolizes the closed-off emotions and the blockade to the past happiness once shared. Additionally, the final image of a tear turning into a flower at the gate poetically symbolizes the transformation of grief into a form of fragile beauty or perhaps a gesture of final farewell.

Nada in Historic Context

“Nada” was released in 1944, a period marked globally by the uncertainties of World War II, and locally by economic and political upheavals in Argentina. During such times, themes of loss and nostalgia could resonate deeply with an audience coping with their own losses and change. Tango often served as an emotional outlet, and the somber tone and reflective nature of “Nada” align closely with the sentiments of its era, reflecting broader societal feelings of melancholy and introspection.

Horacio Sanguinetti

Horacio Sanguinetti was an accomplished lyricist known for his deep and emotive tangos, which often explore themes of love, nostalgia, and loss.