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.
No es más que yo is a Tango written by Enrique Dizeo and composed by Luis Mandarino.
The lyrics of “No es más que yo” narrate a poignant story of love and betrayal. The protagonist describes himself as a formerly carefree man who transformed his entire life for the woman he loved. This woman, described as beautiful and stylish, made him a serious man and taught him how to love. Despite changing his lifestyle for her, dedicating himself to work and abandoning his former ways, she eventually left him for one of his friends. The emotional depth of the tango is rooted in this profound sense of betrayal and lost love.
The tango is rich in symbolic language that underscores its emotional themes. Phrases such as “yo tuve un buen cotorro y una buena mujer” use ‘cotorro’ (literally a small room) metaphorically to represent a settled, domestic life. The lyrics utilize contrasts to emphasize the protagonist’s transformation and subsequent betrayal, with references contrasting his past ‘calavera’ (wild) lifestyle with his more stable, loving ‘cotorro’. The ultimate betrayal by a friend reflects another layer of depth, highlighting themes of trust and deception.
“No es más que yo” was created in post-World War II Argentina, a time marked by political and social changes. In 1952, the year the tango was recorded, Argentina was under the rule of Juan Domingo Perón, and nationalistic sentiments were strong. Tangos of this period often reflected the melancholy, struggles, and passions of the working class. The personal betrayal in the lyrics might also subtly mirror the political betrayals felt by some segments of Argentine society at the time. The phrase “donde lo encuentre, de la misma manera que procedió conmigo, me van a ver tallar” may resonate with the listeners’ sense of justice and retribution, echoing broader societal themes.
Enrique Dizeo was a renowned Argentinian lyricist known for his significant contributions to the Tango genre, imbuing his works with emotional depth and narrative complexity.