Quién más quién menos by Enrique Santos Discépolo

Quién más quién menos is a Tango written by Enrique Santos Discépolo and composed by Enrique Santos Discépolo.

Story behind the Tango Quién más quién menos

The tango “Quién más quién menos” reflects a poignant commentary on disillusionment and the loss of innocence, set against the backdrop of personal downfall. The narrator recounts a heartbreaking encounter with a former lover who has fallen into disgrace, exposing her despair and degradation within a cabaret setting. This scene is a powerful allegory for broader societal decay, illustrating how personal and collective dreams are compromised for mere subsistence.

Symbolism of Quién más quién menos

Enrique Santos Discépolo masterfully employs vivid imagery and symbolism to intensify the emotional impact of the lyrics. The “mantel” or tablecloth symbolizes the remnants of a feast or celebration, now tainted by the woman’s debased condition. Her “desnudez” (nudity) and being “Bizca de alcohol” (cross-eyed from alcohol) metaphorically strip away any remaining dignity, exposing her vulnerable and true state. Such imagery not only portrays personal ruin but also symbolizes the erosion of societal values. The repetition of phrases like “novia querida, novia de ayer” underscores a profound nostalgia for lost purity and better times.

Quién más quién menos in historic Context

Composed in 1934, the tango emerges during a period of significant political and social upheaval in Argentina. The early 1930s were marked by the Great Depression’s global impact, which severely affected the Argentine economy. This era also saw rising political instability that would eventually lead to the Infamous Decade, characterized by corruption and electoral fraud. In this context, “Quién más quién menos” serves as a reflection and critique of the societal disillusionment and the compromises people made to survive in a crumbling economy. The line “somos la mueca de lo que soñamos ser” (we are the grimace of what we dreamed of being) poignantly captures this collective sense of failed aspirations.

Enrique Santos Discépolo

Enrique Santos Discépolo was an influential Argentine musician, playwright, and composer known particularly for his tango lyrics that often carried deep social and philosophical commentary.