Quemá esas cartas (2) by Manuel Romero

Quemá esas cartas (2) is a Tango written by Manuel Romero and composed by Raúl de los Hoyos.

Story behind the Tango Quemá esas cartas (2)

The Tango “Quemá esas cartas” (translated as “Burn those letters”) tells the story of a man reflecting on his life as a former ‘bacán’ (a swaggering man about town), who used to live a carefree, adventurous life as a perfect gigolo. He dismissed genuine love letters as trivial, burning them nonchalantly. Now aged and worn by life, however, he regrets his thoughtless actions, especially as he chances upon old forgotten letters, which remind him painfully of his lost youth and the love he disregarded.

Symbolism of Quemá esas cartas (2)

“Quemá esas cartas” symbolizes the fleeting nature of youth and beauty, and the inevitable consequences of living a life devoid of true emotional connections. The act of burning letters serves as a strong metaphor for the man’s dismissal of deeper values in favor of superficial pleasures. The repeated phrases “¡Quemá esas cartas!” emphasize a desperate attempt to erase the past, which, ironically, only underscores his profound solitude and regret in later years.

Quemá esas cartas (2) in historic Context

Written and recorded in Argentina in 1928, “Quemá esas cartas” reflects the cultural and social dynamics of its time. During this era, Tango often explored themes of love, betrayal, and the melancholy of life. The period was also marked by significant social changes and a growing sense of individualism and existential anxiety, which is vividly mirrored in the song’s narrative and emotional depth.

Manuel Romero

Manuel Romero was an Argentine lyricist and film director, known for his significant contributions to the Tango genre and Argentine cinema. His works often portrayed complex human emotions and societal observations.