Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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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.
Tabernero is a Tango written by Raúl Costa Oliveri and composed by Fausto Frontera y Miguel Cafre.
The lyrics of “Tabernero,” delve deep into the struggles of a man seeking solace in alcohol to escape the pains of lost love and life’s woes. The protagonist, addressing the bartender (Tabernero), requests his cup to be refilled continually with the venomous liquor, finding a grim friend in the bartender who fuels his descent into intoxication. The repetition of this request reflects the cyclical trap of dependency in which he finds himself. It paints a portrait of a man who has turned to alcohol as his last refuge to numb the emotional and mental torment that has beset him, thereby seeking to “kill the soul that torments his brain.”
The central symbol in “Tabernero” is the venom – the alcohol served by the bartender – which represents both a poison and an antidote. The protagonist views his drinking habit as poisoning himself willingly to escape a greater pain, indicating a profound internal conflict. Phrases like “hasta verme como loco revolcándome en el suelo” (until I see myself like a madman rolling on the ground) exhibit the depth of his despair and self-destructive behavior. Additionally, the comparison between people who become intoxicated with wine and those who intoxicate themselves with kisses showcases a poignant contrast between physical indulgence and emotional fulfillment, deepening the theme of loneliness and loss.
Composed in 1941 in Argentina, “Tabernero” emerged during a turbulent period marked by political instability and the build-up to military influence in governance. During such times of social unrest, tango often reflected the common man’s struggles and escapist tendencies. The song captures the existential bleakness and the social issues surrounding alcoholism, often viewed as both a personal failure and a social menace. The tango’s raw portrayal of such strife holds a mirror to the societal attitudes and hardships of the era, serving as a lamentation of the souls lost to their own escapism.
Raúl Costa Oliveri was an Argentine lyricist known for his contributions to the genre of Tango, vividly capturing themes of love, sorrow, and societal issues through his poignant lyrics.