Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Sonsa

Sonsa is a Tango written by Raúl de los Hoyos and recorded by Orquesta Típica Victor in 1927. Orquesta Típica Victor has recorded Sonsa as an instrumental Tango.
“Sonsa,” meaning “Silly” in English, dances gracefully through the air, with each note weaving a tapestry of whimsical charm. It captures the essence of playful innocence, a lighthearted melody that twirls with youthful exuberance. In its gentle whimsy, “Sonsa” invites us to embrace a world filled with laughter, mischief, and a tender joy that never fades.

Tango

Style

Orquesta Típica Victor

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Emilio Fresedo

Author

Raúl de los Hoyos

Composer

1927/7/6

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Orquesta Típica Victor
Orquesta Típica Victor

Discover Other Orchestras

Ángel d’Agostino – Polvorín – 1953/2/2
Ángel d’Agostino – Ahora no me conocés – 1941/9/9
Ángel d’Agostino – Gran Hotel Victoria (Hotel Victoria) – 1945/5/21
Ángel d’Agostino – Café de Barracas – 1952/7/24
Ángel d’Agostino – Adios para siempre – 1942/3/16
Roberto Firpo – Boca negra – 1927/10/27
Roberto Firpo – Hoy te llaman milonguita – 1932/9/27
Roberto Firpo – Saturnia – 1927/1/1
Roberto Firpo – Farolito viejo – 1927/6/9
Roberto Firpo – A la fiesta chicas – 1942/7/21
Pedro Laurenz – Nunca tuvo novio – 1943/4/16
Pedro Laurenz – Orgullo criollo – 1941/9/5
Pedro Laurenz – Poca suerte (2) – 1941/12/2
Pedro Laurenz – De puro guapo – 1940/1/25
Pedro Laurenz – Amurado – 1952/9/25
Enrique Rodríguez – Era una tarde de toros – 1946/12/2
Enrique Rodríguez – Luna veneciana – 1945/2/15
Enrique Rodríguez – Yo no sé por qué razón – 1942/5/13
Enrique Rodríguez – Y así nació este tango – 1945/2/15
Enrique Rodríguez – La torcacita – 1940/12/18

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

1927/7/6 – De mi barrio – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1927/7/6 – Julian – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1927/7/6 – Pura pierna – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1927/7/8 – El poncho del amor – Carlos Gardel
1927/7/8 – Gimiendo – Carlos Gardel
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 crazy
and in my life, it’s my only dream.
I feel so greedy for his affection
that my heart guards it in a golden chest.
It’s like the sun at dawn
reaching the nests to make them sing…
If I feel trapped in his arms,
I dare to scorn the whole world.

“Silly!”, my friends told me,
“think, that love will be your downfall;
remember that your life will be poor
and you won’t have even a penny
to spend on a dress
or to wear on a necklace.
Silly! You won’t have the small car…
All that charm will die
and think that your life will be poor,
that love has deranged you
and for it, you have scorned
your greatest happiness.”

I left the chalet, left the bulldog
and the royal car all in one color
to follow, madly, the man I love,
who with a gesture, stole my heart.
I want to live far away with him
alone with my shack in the place,
where a shack, by the light of the stars,
is silver at 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

“Sonsa” tells the story of a deep and consuming love that the narrator has, which defines her entire existence. Despite warnings from her friends about her lover possibly leading her to poverty and financial ruin, she chooses to abandon her life of material comfort — symbolized by a chalet, a bulldog, and a luxury car — to follow her heart and live with the man she loves, even if it means living in a humble “tapera” (a rudimentary dwelling). The lyrics express the classical romantic conflict between material wealth and emotional fulfillment.



Symbolism of Sonsa

The use of the word “Sonsa,” which can translate to “foolish” or “silly” in English, embodies how society often views the sacrifices made in the name of love. The contrast between the luxury items and the stark simplicity of a tapera underlines the theme of choosing authentic, albeit less materially secure, life paths. Phrases like “cofre de oro” (golden chest) and “y por él has despreciado tu mayor felicidad” (and for him, you have despised your greatest happiness) suggest that true wealth in life may not be material but found in the profound emotional connections we choose to honor.



Sonsa in Historic Context

Recorded in 1927 Argentina, “Sonsa” emerged during a period where Tango music was evolving in the urban landscape, notably in Buenos Aires where societal changes were rapidly occurring. This was a time when the conventional roles and expectations, particularly around class and gender, were increasingly being questioned and challenged. The Tango often reflected deep emotional narratives and social commentaries, resonating with audiences undergoing similar life experiences and choices.



Emilio Fresedo

Emilio Fresedo was a renowned bandoneon player and orchestra leader in early 20th century Argentina, deeply influential in the Tango genre. His works are celebrated for their rich emotional depth and intricate musical compositions.