Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Quién

Quién is a Tango written by Osvaldo Manzi and recorded by Osvaldo Pugliese in 1958. The Tango Quién is written by Osvaldo Manzi, Osvaldo Pugliese has recorded Quién with the singer Jorge Maciel.
“Quién,” meaning “Who” in English, stirs the soul with its haunting melody. This piece invites introspection, a quest to unravel the mysteries of identity and the shadows of one’s past. Through its notes, it asks the timeless question of self-discovery: Who are we beneath the layers of time and experience?

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Pugliese

Orchestra

Jorge Maciel

Singer

Luis Lira

Author

Osvaldo Manzi

Composer

1958/3/26

Date

Jorge Maciel
Jorge Maciel
Osvaldo Pugliese
Osvaldo Pugliese

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Lyrics Translation of the Tango Quién

This is the translation of the Tango “Quién” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Quién” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Quién

Se dice que el amor es todo

Vivimos esperando su verdad,

Y a veces el amor es una espera,

Por un beso que no llega

O una boca que no está.



Tal vez fueron los besos de otra boca

Que hoy muerde desde el fondo de una copa,

Acaso por error estamos presos,

De otros brazos y otros besos

¡Sin besos!



Desnuda el alma está en los ojos

Mirada en que se entrega una ilusión,

Y es uno al fin quien siempre sigue solo,

Torturando una pregunta

Que es tortura del amor.



¿Quién es la que espera el corazón, así?

¿Quién es la que tiene que llegar por fin?

Quien cruzó sus pasos con mis pasos,

Sin pensar que entre mis brazos

Al pasar dejó un fracaso.



¿Pudo ser aquella que me dijo: ¡No!…?

¿O acaso la otra que no quise yo?

¿O tal vez será la que el destino

aún no trajo a mi camino,

o que nunca llegará?

English lyrics of the Tango "Quién"

They say love is everything

We live waiting for its truth,

And sometimes love is just waiting,

For a kiss that never comes

Or a mouth that’s not there.



Perhaps it was the kisses from another mouth

That now bites from the depths of a glass,

Maybe by mistake we are trapped,

In other arms and other kisses

Without kisses!



The soul is bare in the eyes

A gaze in which a dream is surrendered,

And it’s oneself at the end who remains alone,

Torturing a question

That is the torture of love.



Who is it that the heart waits for like this?

Who is it that must finally arrive?

Who crossed their path with mine,

Not thinking that between my arms

As they passed, they left a failure.



Could it have been the one who told me: No!…?

Or perhaps the other one that I did not want?

Or maybe it will be the one that fate

Has not yet brought to my path,

Or who will never come?

Quién by Luis Lira

Quién is a Tango written by Luis Lira and composed by Osvaldo Manzi.



Story behind the Tango Quién

The lyrics of “Quién” wander through the profound avenues of unfulfilled love and existential introspection. Luis Lira expresses a poignant contemplation of love’s elusive nature, questioning who the true recipient of one’s heart should be. The lyrics delve into the heartache of waiting for a love that either has not arrived or might never materialize, mirrored in lines such as “Por un beso que no llega / O una boca que no está,” which translates to the anguish of a kiss never received or a lover never present. This emotional exploration captures the universal struggle of seeking connection and the despair when it eludes us.



Symbolism of Quién

The tango uses potent symbolism and imagery to magnify the themes of love and yearning. For instance, “Desnuda el alma está en los ojos” or “The soul is bare in the eyes,” symbolizes the deep vulnerability one feels when engulfed by love or heartache, suggesting that our truest emotions are visible in our gaze. This line exemplifies how the eyes can convey profound inner truths, offering a glimpse into a soul’s yearning or despair. The recurring question, “Quién?” which translates to “Who?” in English, symbolizes the searching and uncertainty that often accompanies love. Each stanza’s haunting repetition of this query underscores the profundity of longing to find the one who will fulfill the heart’s desires.



Quién in Historic Context

Recorded in Argentina in 1958, “Quién” resonates with the post-World War II era’s emotional and social undercurrents. The 1950s were a time of significant change and evolution, where traditional values often clashed with modern aspirations and disillusionments. In this context, the tango’s introspective and somewhat melancholic tone reflects broader societal reflections on past hardships and hopes for future fulfillment. This era also saw a resurgence of cultural expressions like tango that acted as outlets for public emotion and nostalgia, framing “Quién” not just as a personal narrative but also a cultural statement.



Luis Lira

Luis Lira was a notable lyricist in the Argentine tango scene, known for his emotive and introspective themes.