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.
Noche de locura is a Tango written by Carlos Bahr and composed by Manuel Sucher.
The lyrics of “Noche de locura” evoke dramatic and emotionally charged narratives typical of many tango songs. The scene set by Carlos Bahr revolves around a passionate yet tragic encounter between two individuals drowning their sorrows in alcohol and pretenses of love. The primary theme of the song lies in seeking oblivion from painful memories through desperate acts of intimacy and drunkenness. The characters in this tango seem to encourage each other to escape reality, exchanging kisses instead of words, numbing their pain with the illusion of love, as suggested by the repeated invitations to drink love instead of alcohol.
“Noche de locura” translates to “Night of Madness,” which itself serves as a powerful metaphor for fleeting episodes of escape from the haunting presence of sorrow. Carlos Bahr uses potent symbolic imagery such as “el olvido esta tentándome en tus labios” (oblivion is tempting me on your lips) to signify oblivion found through intimate contact. The frequent juxtaposition of love and alcohol suggests a conflation of the two as means of forgetting, while “los demonios del rencor” (the demons of spite) haunting the narrator underpin the internal struggle with unresolved bitterness and pain.
Recorded in 1954, during a culturally rich and complex period in Argentina’s history, “Noche de locura” emerges amidst the nation’s fluctuating social and political landscape post-World War II. This era witnessed a rise in the popularity of tango music, which often reflected the public’s sentiments of disillusionment, nostalgia, and the lingering socio-economic hardships. The existential themes of despair and escapism in Bahr’s lyrics mirror the broader societal attempts to cope with instability and change.
Carlos Bahr was an esteemed Argentine lyricist known for his poignant contributions to the tango genre. His works often delve into themes of love, despair, and societal reflections.