Tango del querer by Ricardo Lleras

Tango del querer is a Tango written by Ricardo Lleras and composed by Andrés Domenech.

Story behind the Tango Tango del querer

The “Tango del querer” (Tango of Love) captures the essence of an individual’s emotional journey manifested through the distinctly melancholic sound and tempo of the tango. This tango shares the narrative of love and longing, wrapped within the early dawn hours, portraying both the beauty and the sadness of unfulfilled desires. Each step and note of the dance mirrors disillusionment, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia and yearning.

Symbolism of Tango del querer

The use of the dawn (“amanecer”) as a time setting in the lyrics symbolizes renewal and beginning, yet in a juxtaposition, the slow, sad rhythm conveys a sense of ending or loss. This interplay enhances the emotional impact of the song, where dawn does not just represent a new day, but also the fading of an old love. The lyric “Que estrechas dos almas, En un solo ser” (That you tighten two souls, Into a single being) underscores the deep connection and merging of two souls in love, also suggesting the pain when this unity is disturbed or broken.

Tango del querer in historic Context

Recorded in 1932 in Argentina, “Tango del querer” was composed during a period of significant societal and cultural changes. Post the 1929 Great Depression, Argentina, like many parts of the world, faced economic hardships that influenced its cultural output. The tango, often a reflection of the public sentiment, moved towards more somber, reflective themes during this era. The lyrics’ engagement with themes of disillusion and lost love paralleled the collective social experience of loss and longing for better times.

Ricardo Lleras

Ricardo Lleras was a poetic figure in the realm of tango, known for weaving complex emotions into simple, yet profound lyrics.