Sencillo y compadre by
Sencillo y compadre is a Tango written by and composed by Juan José Guichandut.
Story behind the Tango Sencillo y compadre
The lyrics of “Sencillo y compadre” offer a nostalgic ode to the traditional tango, celebrating its raw, emotional roots and distinguishing it from more modern evolutions. The speaker expresses a personal preference for the tango that was once considered “guarango” (coarse or unrefined) but resonated with authenticity and emotion. This tango, with its aura of street life and its symbolic handkerchief, entered the aristocratic circles and spoke to the hearts of couples with its sensitive undertones. At its core, the song is a passionate reflection on love, masculinity, and cultural heritage, capturing an era when tango was a profound social dance and expression of the lower-class Argentine urban areas.
Symbolism of Sencillo y compadre
The tango in the lyrics is depicted as “medio sencillo, medio compadre,” using language that contrasts its simplicity with an underlying sense of confidence or bravado (“compadre”). Key phrases such as “agua florida, luz de puñales” imply a blend of elegance (“agua florida” or floral water, often used as a fragrance or cologne) and danger (“luz de puñales” or light of daggers), painting a vivid image of the tango as both beautiful and edgy. The tango’s gesture of “apriete en la cintura de las mozas” (tighten around the waist of the maidens) symbolizes an intimate, assertive connection, emphasizing the dance’s romantic and assertive nature. The song vividly illustrates the tango’s inextricable bond with the gritty streets and the common folk who gave it life.
Sencillo y compadre in historic Context
Originally composed in Buenos Aires in 1941, “Sencillo y compadre” emerges during an era rich in cultural and social exchange. Buenos Aires, as the birthplace of tango, was a melting pot of immigrant influences, blending African, European, and indigenous elements that shaped this unique musical and dance tradition. At this time, tango was an integral part of the socio-cultural fabric, representing the urban working-class life. It was a period marked by global challenges and local transformations, with just under a decade since the end of the Great Depression and amidst the political shifts leading to the rise of Peronism in Argentina. The song captures a nostalgia for the authenticity of an earlier time, serving as both a tribute and a critique of contemporary changes in tango.
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Juan José Guichandut was an influential composer in the Argentine tango scene, contributing a number of memorable works that celebrated and perpetuated the rich culture and emotion intrinsic to tango music.
