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 unos ojos negros is a Tango written by Horacio Sanguinetti and composed by José Dames.
At its core, “Por unos ojos negros” narrates a tale of intense emotional connection and subsequent heartbreak, precipitated by the mesmerizing allure of a lover’s black eyes. The lyrics depict a brief but passionate affair that begins with a fateful glance and ends with sorrowful parting. It speaks to the universal theme of the lingering pain of unfinished love, where memories are all that remain of a once vibrant connection. The recurring questions “¿Por qué tus ojos me embrujaron? ¿Por qué?” emphasize the feeling of bewitchment and the perplexity of unfulfilled love.
The symbolism in “Por unos ojos negros” greatly enriches its emotional depth. The black eyes (“unos ojos negros”) are depicted as windows to a soul filled with light and sadness simultaneously, reflecting a duality of beauty and pain. Phrases like “ojos de sombra y cristal” use contrasting images of shadow and crystal, enhancing the complexity of the emotions associated with these eyes. This combination of imagery effectively portrays the eyes not just as physical features but as profound symbols of the allure and mystery that can lead one into deep emotional investment. The lyrics also metaphorically describe the journey of love as “la calle del dolor” (the street of pain), signifying the inevitable path of suffering in the narrator’s quest for unattainable love.
“Por unos ojos negros” was created in the mid-1950s, a period of cultural richness and complexity in Argentina. During this time, Tango was not just a dance or musical genre but a reflection of the social and emotional currents of society. Love, loss, and longing are recurring themes that resonate with the emotional states of many during this era. The history of Tango, often rooted in themes of despair, reflections on life’s hardships, and romanticized tragedy, sets a perfect stage for this piece, giving it a timelessness that aligns with the historical sentimentality of the Argentine culture.
Horacio Sanguinetti was a renowned lyricist known for his contributions to the Tango genre, capturing complex emotions through simple yet profound lyrics.