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.
Oyeme is a Tango written by Homero Expósito and composed by Enrique Francini.
The lyrics of “Oyeme” portray a profound sense of loss marked by a goodbye that seems both urgent and final. Homero Expósito uses vivid imagery to express emotions associated with departure. The “arco de violín clavado en un gorrión” (violin bow stuck in a sparrow) symbolizes a piercing, acute pain, a violent end to something delicate. This painful goodbye drags the narrator into a deep, inconsolable solitude, highlighting the devastation left in the wake of a loved one’s departure. The repeated plea, “Óyeme” (Hear me), reflects a desperate need for the departed to understand the depth of the pain caused.
“Oyeme” is rich in symbolism that intensifies the emotional weight of the lyrics. The recurring references to the violin bow and rain introduce elements of melancholy and inevitable continuity – the rain keeps falling, life goes on despite the personal tragedy. The line “el pasado es una noria de preguntas” (the past is a waterwheel of questions) suggests a relentless, cyclical grind of unresolved thoughts and what-ifs that torment the narrator. This imagery, paired with the helpless feeling of joined hands constantly asking ‘why’, underscores the futility and desperation in seeking answers about the past.
Written in 1947 in Argentina, “Oyeme” emerges in a post World War II context where the world, including Argentina, was grappling with the aftermath of immense loss and change. This historical backdrop can perhaps deepen our understanding of the lyrics’ intense focus on despair and the references to inevitable change. Argentina was also undergoing significant political and social shifts during this time, which might reflect the mentioned inevitabilities and the poignant acceptance of painful realities, such as how despite nature’s renewal, “tú no volverás” (you will not return).
Homero Expósito, an influential Argentine poet and tango lyricist, is renowned for blending deep emotional themes with intricate, vivid imagery in his works.