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.
Por la cuesta arriba is a Tango written by Carlos Bahr and composed by Argentino Galván.
“Por la cuesta arriba,” translating to “Up the slope” in English, illustrates a metaphorical uphill battle endured by the narrator. The lyrics vividly narrate the struggle of overcoming life’s challenges without sparing details on the pain and isolation experienced. The primary theme revolves around the resilience and tenacity required to endure life’s hardships, particularly illuminated by the loss of a significant love. The emotional spectrum spans from deep despair to a nostalgic appreciation for past love, framing the narrator’s journey as one marked by both physical and emotional ascent and descent.
Carlos Bahr employs several symbolic elements to enhance the emotional depth of the song. The repeated phrase “cuesta arriba” (uphill) symbolizes both the daily struggles and the emotional challenge of moving forward under the weight of loneliness and abandonment. “Cadenas” (chains) symbolically represent the burdens or the tethering to a painful past that the narrator finds difficult to escape. These chains are coupled with vivid imagery of closed doors and withdrawn hands—symbolizing rejected help and closed opportunities, intensifying the feeling of a solitary struggle.
“Por la cuesta arriba” was recorded on June 5, 1945. This date falls shortly after the end of World War II, a period marked by widespread societal upheaval and the beginning of recovery from immense global trauma. The stark depiction of struggle and resilience in the lyrics might echo the broader existential and economic struggles prevalent at the time in Argentina and worldwide. The tango, a genre deeply intertwined with expressions of loss, longing, and survival, serves as a poignant medium for reflecting the mood of an era similarly characterized by recovery from hardship.
Carlos Bahr was an influential figure in the Tango scene, known for his deeply emotive and reflective lyrics which often explored themes of love, pain, and resilience.