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.
Primero yo is a Tango written by José Rial and composed by Rafael Rossi.
The lyrics of “Primero yo” explore themes of love, betrayal, and ego. The narrator recounts his relationship with a woman who, under his guidance, supposedly gained refinement and cultural knowledge, but ultimately left him, pursuing a path filled with superficial success and hollow prestige. He claims first place in her history of relationships, emphasizing his importance despite her apparent disregard for their past.
The tango uses several symbolic elements to deepen its narrative. “Primero yo,” translated to “Me First,” implies the narrator’s insistence on being acknowledged as significant in the woman’s life despite her chase after wealth and status symbolized by “Renault,” indicating her higher social aspirations. Phrases like “transparentan tus modales una moral desastrosa” critique her moral integrity, suggesting her outward manners reveal a poor inner moral compass. This conflict highlights traditional tensions between genuine affection and outward superficiality in societal ascension.
Released in 1951, “Primero yo” captures the post-World War II sentiment in Argentina, a period marked by significant social and economic changes. The tango reflects societal observations where personal relationships often struggled against the backdrop of rapid modernization and the pursuit of materialism. The lyrics portray a nostalgic yearning for more genuine, less commodified human connections, echoing a common sentiment in tango music that laments the loss of ‘simpler times’ amidst societal progress.
José Rial was a renowned lyricist in the Argentine Tango scene, known for capturing deep emotional contexts within concise, poignant phrases.