Sobre el pucho (Un callejón en Pompeya) by José González Castillo

Sobre el pucho (Un callejón en Pompeya) is a Tango written by José González Castillo and composed by Sebastián Piana.

Story behind the Tango Sobre el pucho (Un callejón en Pompeya)

The tango paints a nostalgic and melancholic picture of a scene in Pompeya, a neighborhood in Buenos Aires, characterized by its typical alleyways and the ambiance of the early 20th century. The lyrics describe a man (malevo) reminiscing about a lost love while smoking and listening to a tango being played on a small organ. The setting, with a solitary streetlamp illuminating the mud (fango), evokes a sense of solitude and a deep longing for the past. José González Castillo narrates this tale of ephemeral love and irrevocable loss through the metaphor of a cigarette stub (pucho), used to signify something discarded after it has lost its essence.

Symbolism of Sobre el pucho (Un callejón en Pompeya)

In this tango, the ‘pucho,’ which is a colloquial term for a stubbed out cigarette, symbolizes the remnants of a past love – consumed and discarded. The lyrics “como pucho que se tira cuando ya ni sabor ni aroma da” directly translate to “like a stub thrown away when it neither gives taste nor aroma.” This metaphor reflects the deep disillusionment and the sense of something once cherished now rendered tasteless and empty. Another layer of symbolism is presented through the ‘organito,’ a street organ that grinds out tangos, representing how music can stir memories and emotions, anchoring the mood of the song.

Sobre el pucho (Un callejón en Pompeya) in historic Context

The tango was recorded in 1941, a period marked by social and political changes in Argentina. By this time, tango music had evolved from its origins in the lower-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires to become a national treasure that expressed the collective sentiment of the populace. The choice of Pompeya, a quintessential barrio with its own cultural and historical significance in the urban landscape of Buenos Aires, serves to root the narrative in a specific locale known for its strong associations with the working class and tango culture. The historical and geographical elements contextualize the tango, highlighting themes of loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time, resonant with the broader societal milieu of Argentina during the early 20th century.

José González Castillo

José González Castillo was a prominent Argentine playwright, poet, and tango lyricist, renowned for his contributions to the literary and musical heritage of Argentina.