Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Sonsa

Sonsa is a Tango written by Raúl de los Hoyos and recorded by Pedro Laurenz in 1925. Pedro Laurenz has recorded Sonsa as an instrumental Tango.
“Sonsa,” meaning “foolish” in English, is a dance that teeters on the edge of whimsy and introspection. It twirls through life’s missteps, weaving stories where naivety becomes its own poignant grace. Each note seems to laugh gently at itself, inviting the listener to find wisdom in vulnerability and joy in life’s simplest, silliest moments.

Tango

Style

Pedro Laurenz

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Emilio Fresedo

Author

Raúl de los Hoyos

Composer

1925/7/3

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Pedro Laurenz
Pedro Laurenz

Discover Other Orchestras

Julio De Caro – Selecciones de Gardel – 1949/7/26
Julio De Caro – Acordate gil – 1928/1/1
Julio De Caro – No quiero pensar más – 1940/5/30
Julio De Caro – Era mi vida – 1939/3/17
Julio De Caro – Coraje – 1939/3/17
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – El ensueño de Bahia – 1971/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Malambo de las campanas – 1970/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Amarraditos – 1970/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Laura – 1971/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Chiclana – 1971/1/1
Pedro Laurenz – Poca suerte (2) – 1941/12/2
Pedro Laurenz – Me estan sobrando las penas – 1944/8/7
Pedro Laurenz – La gayola – 1952/9/25
Pedro Laurenz – Temblando – 1944/4/26
Pedro Laurenz – Vieja amiga – 1938/5/12
Carlos di Sarli – Flora – 1930/11/4
Carlos di Sarli – Déjame no quiero verte más – 1947/5/8
Carlos di Sarli – El Caburé – 1946/8/1
Carlos di Sarli – Mañana no estarás – 1946/6/6
Carlos di Sarli – La cumparsita – 1955/6/20

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.

Sonsa recorded by other Orchestras

Sonsa recorded by other Orchestras

1925/7/3 – Buen amigo – Pedro Laurenz
1925/7/3 – Julian – Pedro Laurenz
1925/7/3 – Titina – Pedro Laurenz
1925/11/9 – Olvido (2) – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1925/11/9 – Sarandi – Orquesta Tipica Victor
Sonsa – 1925/7/3 – Pedro Laurenz – Instrumental
Sonsa – 1952/5/30 – Alfredo De Angelis – Carlos Dante
Sonsa – 1927/7/6 – Orquesta Tipica Victor – Instrumental

Letra del Tango Sonsa

Tengo un amor que me enloquece
y es de mi vida mi única ilusión.
De su cariño me siento tan avara
que en cofre de oro lo guarda el corazón.
Es como el sol que al despuntar
llega a los nidos para hacer cantar…
Si entre sus brazos me siento aprisionada
el mundo entero me atrevo a despreciar.

¡Sonsa!, me dijeron mis amigas
piensa que ese amor te perderá;
recuerda que tu vida será pobre
y que no tendrás ni un cobre
pa’ gastarlo en un vestido
o lucirlo en un collar.
¡Sonsa!, no tendrás la voiturette…
Todo ese encanto morirá
y piensa que tu vida será pobre,
que ese amor te ha trastornado
y por él has despreciado
tu mayor felicidad.

Dejé el chalet, dejé el buldog
y el auto regio todo de un color
por seguir, loca, al hombre que yo quiero,
que con un gesto robó mi corazón.
Lejos con él quiero vivir
con mi tapera sola en el lugar,
que una tapera, a la luz de las estrellas,
de noche es plata y oro al despertar.

English lyrics of the Tango "Sonsa"

I have a love that drives me mad
and is the only dream of my life.
I feel so greedy for his affection
that my heart guards it in a gold chest.
It’s like the sun that, at dawn,
reaches the nests to make them sing…
If I feel trapped in his arms,
I dare to despise the entire world.

Foolish!, said my friends,
think that this love will be your downfall;
remember that your life will be poor
and you won’t have a dime
to spend on a dress
or to flaunt in a necklace.
Foolish!, you won’t have the little car…
All that charm will die
and think that your life will be poor,
that this love has driven you mad
and for him, you’ve scorned
your greatest happiness.

I left the villa, left the bulldog
and the splendid car, all in one color,
to follow, crazily, the man I love,
who with a gesture stole my heart.
Far away with him I want to live
with my little shack alone in the place,
for a shack, under the light of the stars,
is silver by night and gold at dawn.

Sonsa by Emilio Fresedo

Sonsa is a Tango written by Emilio Fresedo and composed by Raúl de los Hoyos.



Story behind the Tango Sonsa

The lyrics of “Sonsa” portray a deep, passionate love that consumes and overwhelms the narrator. The speaker shares the personal sacrifice made for love, abandoning material wealth and societal expectations to follow her heart. The lovers seek a simple life, possibly in isolation, symbolizing their complete devotion to each other. The central theme is the conflict between love and societal expectations, highlighting the consequences of choosing love over material comfort and social acceptance.



Symbolism of Sonsa

Several key phrases in “Sonsa” hold deeper meanings which enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics. “Cofre de oro” symbolizes the heart, implying that true love is as valuable as gold and worth protecting. The sun imagery “Es como el sol que al despuntar llega a los nidos para hacer cantar” suggests new beginnings and the nurturing nature of love. Another feature is the comparison between a modest shack “tapera” and precious metals, “de noche es plata y oro al despertar,” illustrating how love enriches life, transforming even the humblest setting into something valuable and beautiful.



Sonsa in Historic Context

The Tango “Sonsa” emerged in 1925, during a period when Argentine society was experiencing significant changes, including shifts in gender roles and class structures. This backdrop highlights the daring and controversial nature of the woman’s decision to abandon her affluent life for love. The lyric reflects a typical attitude of the era towards women perceived as foolish (“Sonsa”) for prioritizing love over financial and social security. The economic and social expectations laid upon the individual resonate throughout, reflecting societal norms and the personal impact of choosing love over material wealth.



Emilio Fresedo

Emilio Fresedo was a prominent Argentine composer and bandoneon player, known for his significant contributions to Tango music.