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Silueta porteña

Silueta porteña is a Milonga written by Nicolás Luis Cuccaro and recorded by Héctor Varela in 1956. The Milonga Silueta porteña is written by Nicolás Luis Cuccaro, Héctor Varela has recorded Silueta porteña with the singer Argentino Ledesma.
“Silueta Porteña,” translated to English as “Silhouette of the Port City,” captures the essence of Buenos Aires at dusk. This evocative piece paints a vivid image of narrow streets filled with the lingering shadows of tango dancers and bustling city life. The music whispers stories of romance and melancholic nostalgia, woven into the fabric of the city’s identity.

Milonga

Style

Héctor Varela

Orchestra

Argentino Ledesma

Singer

Ernesto Nolli

Author

Nicolás Luis Cuccaro

Composer

1956/5/18

Date

Argentino Ledesma
Argentino Ledesma
Héctor Varela
Héctor Varela

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Osvaldo Pugliese – Galleguita – 1945/11/6
Osvaldo Pugliese – Decime Dios dónde estás – 1963/11/1
Osvaldo Pugliese – Gente amiga – 1958/1/2
Osvaldo Pugliese – Taconeando – 1970/5/1
Osvaldo Pugliese – Inspiración – 1962/12/1
LOS SEÑORES DEL TANGO – Milonguero viejo – 1962/10/8
Francisco Canaro – El tatuaje – 1926/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Eleonore – 1923/1/1
Francisco Canaro – La rodada – 1916/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Solita – 1924/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Ukelele lady (La chica del ukulele) – 1926/1/1
Francini-Pontier – Delirio – 1950/12/5
Francini-Pontier – Che bandoneón – 1950/3/7
Francini-Pontier – Uno y uno – 1947/8/13
Francini-Pontier – El mismo dolor – 1946/3/14
Francini-Pontier – A José Manuel Moreno – 1949/1/28

Recommended

These Tangos, Valses, and Milongas were recorded around the same time. Take a look to discover what else this orchestra—or others—may have recorded during the same week or even on the exact same day.

Silueta porteña recorded by other Orchestras

Silueta porteña recorded by other Orchestras

1956/5/18 – Y todavia te quiero – Alfredo De Angelis
1956/5/18 – Fueron tres anos – Hector Varela
1956/5/17 – Chamusquina – Juan D-Arienzo
1956/5/17 – Palabras amargas – Juan D-Arienzo
1956/5/17 – Me quieres y te quiero – Juan D-Arienzo
Silueta portena – 1936/1/14 – Juan D-Arienzo – Walter Cabral
Silueta portena – 1956/8/2 – Osvaldo Pugliese – Miguel Montero
Silueta portena – 1956/5/18 – Hector Varela – Argentino Ledesma

Lyrics Translation of the Milonga Silueta porteña

This is the translation of the Milonga “Silueta porteña” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Milonga “Silueta porteña” have been done with AI.

Letra del Milonga Silueta porteña

Cuando tú pasas caminando por las tardes,

repiqueteando tu taquito en la vereda,

marcas compases de cadencias melodiosas

de una milonga juguetona y callejera.

Y en tus vaivenes pareciera la bailaras,

así te miren y te miren los que quieran,

porque tú llevas en tu cuerpo la arrogancia

y el majestuoso ondular de las porteñas.



Tardecita criolla, de límpido cielo

bordado de nubes, llevas en tu pelo.

Vinchita argentina que es todo tu orgullo…

¡Y cuánto sol tienen esos ojos tuyos!



Y los piropos que te dicen los muchachos,

como florcitas que a tu paso te ofrecieran

que las recoges y que enriedas en tu pelo,

junto a la vincha con que adornas tu cabeza.

Dice tu cuerpo tu arrogancia y tu cadencia

y tus taquitos provocando en la vereda:

Soy el espíritu criollo hecho silueta

y te coronan la más guapa y más porteña.

English lyrics of the Milonga "Silueta porteña"

When you walk by in the evenings,

Clicking your heels on the sidewalk,

You set rhythms of melodious beats

Of a playful, streetwise milonga.

And in your sways, it seems you dance it,

Let those who want to look and look,

For in your body carries the pride

And the majestic sway of the women from Buenos Aires.

Little Creole afternoon, with a clear sky

Embroidered with clouds, carried in your hair.

A little Argentine ribbon that is all your pride…

And how much sun those eyes of yours hold!

And the compliments the guys give you,

Like little flowers they offer at your feet

That you pick up and twine in your hair,

Together with the ribbon that adorns your head.

Your body shows your pride and your rhythm

And your heels provoke on the sidewalk:

I am the Creole spirit made silhouette

And they crown you the bravest and most Buenos Aires beauty.

Silueta porteña by Ernesto Nolli

Silueta porteña is a Tango written by Ernesto Nolli and composed by Nicolás Luis Cuccaro.



Story behind the Tango Silueta porteña

“Silueta porteña” encapsulates the essence of a woman in Buenos Aires as she moves through the city streets, her walk echoing the rhythm of a playful, street-born milonga. The lyrics vividly portray her as she marks the beat with the clattering of her heels (taquitos) on the sidewalks, embodying the spirit of the milonga in her movement. This tango not only celebrates her physical allure but also the proud and defiant nature that distinguishes porteñas, or women from Buenos Aires.



Symbolism of Silueta porteña

The song is replete with symbols that highlight the cultural pride and beauty of Argentine traditions. The “vinchita argentina,” a ribbon worn in the hair, serves as a powerful symbol of national pride. Meanwhile, phrases like “el majestuoso ondular de las porteñas” emphasize the grace and nobility inherent in the women of Buenos Aires, suggesting that their beauty and rhythm are as integral to the city as its milongas. The recurring references to the milonga rhythm in “repiqueteando” and rhythms marked by her steps illustrate how deeply intertwined daily life and cultural expression are in this setting.



Silueta porteña in historic Context

The tango was recorded in 1956, a period when Buenos Aires was a melting pot of cultural expression, and tango music was a defining element of the city’s identity. During this post-war era, the folklore and national pride were particularly poignant, resonating through expressions of music and dance. “Silueta porteña” captures this vibe, celebrating the liberating and creative spirit that flowed through the streets of Buenos Aires, turning everyday walks into an expressive dance of heritage and defiance.



Ernesto Nolli

Ernesto Nolli was a prolific lyricist in the golden era of Argentine tango, his works often embodying the spirit and authenticity of Buenos Aires street life.