Nostalgias by Enrique Cadícamo

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

Story behind the Tango Nostalgias

The tango “Nostalgias” is a profound exploration of love’s pain and the deep yearning that accompanies lost passion. Cadícamo uses vivid imagery and compelling language to express the sorrow of unrequited or lost love. Central to the song is a desire to forget the pain through intoxication, yet this escape remains futile as memories persist, dominating the narrator’s feelings and thoughts. The recurring theme of attempting to drown sorrows with alcohol only to be repeatedly reminded of the lost love encapsulates the cyclical nature of despair and memory.

Symbolism of Nostalgias

The symbolic use of “emborrachar mi corazón” (wanting to intoxicate my heart) stands out as a poignant expression of trying to numb emotional pain. The mention of “las rosas muertas de mi juventud” (the dead roses of my youth) symbolizes the end of a blossoming period, reflecting on how the past’s vibrant moments have withered into sorrow. The bandoneon’s cry in the lyrics, often a central instrument in tango music, further constructs a soundscape that resonates with the theme of mourning personal losses. This pulls the listener into a shared experience of grief and nostalgia.

Nostalgias in Historic Context

Created and recorded in 1948, a period when Argentina was undergoing significant political and social transformations, “Nostalgias” reflects a universal sentiment of individual loss amidst broader societal changes. As tango often served as an emotional outlet for the working classes during tumultuous times, this song echoes collective sentiments of disappointment, loss, and the fleeting nature of joy, all through the personal voice of a solitary narrator.

Enrique Cadícamo

Enrique Cadícamo was a prolific Argentine tango lyricist, known for his deep and evocative lyrics that have become embedded into the essence of tango culture.