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.
Percal is a Tango written by Homero Expósito and composed by Domingo Federico.
“Percal” as a tango reveals an evocative story of youth, nostalgia, and the stark repercussions of life choices. The narrative within the lyrics reflects the journey of a young individual who leaves home in pursuit of dreams, symbolized through the metaphor of ‘percal,’ a type of cotton fabric representing innocence and youth. As the song progresses, reflection sets in, emphasizing that despite abandoning the physical representation of youth (the percal dress), the emotional ties to these early memories and decisions linger inescapably.
The repeated refrain “Percal” and the question “¿Te acuerdas del percal?” (Do you remember the percal?) spotlights the fabric as a central symbol tying to the youthful dreams and weariness of life’s stark realities. The fabric symbolizes the youth’s simplicity and the inevitable transformation by life’s complex experiences. “La juventud se fue…” (Youth has gone…) further underscores a universal truth of growing old and leaving behind the naïveté of youth, punctuated by a mention of a dress made from percal, which embodies innocence left in tatters by experiences of love and suffering.
Set in 1965 Argentina, “Percal” might also mirror the societal changes and personal aspirations during a time of significant political and social shifts in Argentina. The mention of leaving home invokes the vast migration from rural areas to cities like Buenos Aires, often fueled by dreams of success but leading to mixed outcomes. This tango, with its sombre melody and reflective lyrics, captures the melancholic essence and personal introspections of a generation encountering rapid transformation.
Homero Expósito was a renowned Argentine poet and tango lyricist known for his profound and eloquent compositions in the sphere of Argentinian music.