Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Style
Orchestra
Singer
Author
Composer
Date
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 qué is a Tango written by Emilio Fresedo and composed by Osvaldo Fresedo.
The song seems to revolve around a deep existential inquiry into self-identity and the resistance to change imposed by external expectations. The primary emotions are melancholy and resistance, reflecting a struggle between maintaining one’s essence and adapting to new societal norms or appearances. The narrator questions repeatedly “Por qué” (Why), emphasizing a plea for reasoning behind the need for change in his traditional values and appearance, symbolizing a broader theme of cultural preservation versus modern influence.
The tango uses clothing (“mi pilcha ‘e varón”, directly translating to “my man’s outfit”) as a primary symbol to represent identity and personal history. The mention of changing his attire to something more elaborate (“con tanto trenzao”) could symbolize societal pressures to conform or modernize in ways that feel unnatural to the narrator. “Mi nombre es macho, soy el gotán” strongly reinforces this, with “gotán” being a lunfardo (Argentinian slang) reverse of “tango”, indicating the narrator embodies the spirit of traditional tango, both rugged and sentimental.
The Tango “Por qué” emerged in the late 1970s Argentina, a period marked by significant political and social unrest due to the military dictatorship. In such times, cultural expressions often become vessels for subtle resistance or critiques. This song, emerging during this era, can be seen as a subtle nod to the importance of staying true to one’s roots and values amidst the tumultuous changes and potential loss of cultural identity. It reflects a refusal to adorn a veneer that fails to reflect one’s true nature and the ongoing struggle between tradition and forced modernization.
Emilio Fresedo, the author of the lyrics, was deeply embedded in the Tango scene, often expressing through his work a poignant blend of nostalgia and contemporary reflection.