Risque by Horacio Sanguinetti

Risque is a Tango written by Horacio Sanguinetti and composed by Ary Barroso.

Story behind the Tango Risque

The tango “Risque,” penned by Horacio Sanguinetti, captures a poignant farewell between lovers. Its lyrics speak directly to the profound pain and inevitability of ending a relationship that has soured. Sanguinetti’s heartfelt plea for his name to be erased from a lover’s notebook underscores the desire to leave the past behind and relieve the torment of a failed love.

Symbolism of Risque

Sanguinetti uses vivid imagery and powerful symbolism to articulate the emotions of the lyrics. The phrase “mi nombre de tu cuaderno” symbolizes not just the erasure of a name but the profound act of removing one’s existence from another’s life. The comparison of faded dreams to the ephemeral “blancura de espuma” (whiteness of foam) that dies on the sand evokes the transient nature of relationships and the pain they can leave behind. This powerful imagery effectively conveys the ephemerality and fragility of love and dreams.

Risque in Historic Context

“Risque” was created in 1955, a period marked by significant cultural and political transformation in Argentina. The metaphor of seeking new paths in the lyrics may subtly reflect the desire for a new direction in personal life or even in a broader socio-political context. This tango, with its themes of ending and renewal, resonates with the sentiments of shifting identities and the pursuit of new beginnings prevalent during that era.

Horacio Sanguinetti

Horacio Sanguinetti was an influential figure in Argentine tango, known for his poignant and introspective lyricism.