Nostalgias by Enrique Cadícamo

Nostalgias is a Tango written by Enrique Cadícamo and composed by Juan Carlos Cobián.

Story behind the Tango Nostalgias

The lyrics of “Nostalgias” reflect the deep sorrow and longing of a person trying to drown their heartache in alcohol, seeking to forget a torturous love that seems to persist as a “cruel concern”. The narrator speaks of trying to erase the memory of past kisses through the kisses of others, indicating a desperate attempt to move on from a love that was perhaps brief yet profound. Central to the tango are the themes of heartache, loneliness, and the attempt to cope with unresolved love through fleeting moments of forgetfulness.

Symbolism of Nostalgias

Enrique Cadícamo uses rich symbolism and imagery to convey the depth of the narrator’s feelings. Phrases such as “emborrachar mi corazón” (to intoxicate my heart) and “las rosas muertas de mi juventud” (the dead roses of my youth) illustrate the attempt to numb pain and the loss of vibrancy and hope. The bandoneon’s “tango gris” (gray tango) symbolizes the melancholy that pervades the character’s life, echoing their emotional state. The repetitive references to night— “sola y triste en esta noche, noche negra y sin estrellas” (alone and sad on this night, black and starless night)—further underline the theme of loneliness and despair.

Nostalgias in historic Context

“Nostalgias” was written and recorded in Argentina in 1936, a period during which tango music deeply reflected the social sentiments of love, loss, and nostalgia. The era was marked by a complex mix of cultural innovation and political tension, which influenced the expressive and often melancholic tone of tango lyrics. This piece, emblematic of the genre, uses personal heartbreak as a lens to explore broader themes of human emotion, capturing a snapshot of societal emotions during that time.

Enrique Cadícamo

Enrique Cadícamo was a prominent Argentine poet and tango lyricist, renowned for his profound contributions to the tango music scene.