Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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.
Olvidao is a Tango written by Enrique Cadícamo and composed by Guillermo Barbieri.
“Olvidao” recounts the tragic tale of a newlywed man named Contreras, murdered during his wedding celebration in a nostalgic farming locale, La Hazaña. The song narrates how Juan Luz Mala, likely a rival or a criminal, disrupts this joyful occasion by killing the groom and trying to take his wife. The narrative transitions to the dying man’s last words to his wife, expressing stoicism and a poignant farewell, followed by the aftermath of his passing where his widow initially mourns but eventually neglects his memory, leading to a haunted lament from the deceased.
The lyrics of “Olvidao” are laden with symbolic depth, exploring themes of betrayal, undying love, and loneliness in death. The tragic event during the countryside wedding, a setting traditionally associated with joy and union, inverts into a scene of violence and loss, highlighting the fragility of happiness. Phrases like “la tierra es muy fría pa’ estar olvidao” (the earth is too cold to be forgotten) poignantly symbolize the cold solitude of death, contrasting with the warmth of remembered love. The recurring plea from the afterlife, urging his widow to visit, underscores the eternal yearning for love and remembrance beyond the grave.
Composed in 1953 by Enrique Cadícamo, “Olvidao” emerges in Argentinian culture where Tango often reflects deep emotional narratives and societal issues. During this era, Argentina was undergoing significant social transformations, and tangos like “Olvidao” captured personal tales against this broader backdrop. The setting and characters evoke rural Argentina, suggesting a connection to the land and its traditions, and the narrative reflects the melodrama typical of the period’s lamenting musical expressions. Historically, these stories were a way of dealing with the struggles of the common people, providing a voice to their sorrows and unfulfilled dreams.
Enrique Cadícamo was a prolific Argentine poet and tango lyricist, born in 1900 and renowned for his profound contributions to the genre.