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.
Tapado gris is a Tango written by Lito Bayardo and composed by Benjamín García.
The lyrics of “Tapado gris” outline a poignant story of enduring heartache and yearning after a separation or possibly the end of a love affair. The narrator speaks of being haunted by the image of a loved one and his futile attempts to erase these memories. The essence of the song reflects a deep-rooted pain and an inability to move past the memories of a beloved, who, despite their absence, continues to live vividly in the narrator’s mind. This notion is beautifully encapsulated in the recurrent image of the loved one appearing wrapped in a “tapado gris” (gray overcoat) symbolizing perhaps a last remembered image or a metaphorical shield protecting against the harshness of reality.
The use of “tapado gris” as a central image in the tango carries rich symbolic meaning. The gray overcoat could represent anonymity, detachment, or the emotional barrier that the loved one has placed between themselves and the narrator. It conveys a sense of the hidden or obscured, the subdued emotions or unresolved aspects of their relationship. The color gray itself often signifies neutrality and balance, reflecting perhaps the emotional limbo in which the narrator finds himself—caught between his past affections and the bleakness of their unresolved conclusion.
Setting the creation of “Tapado gris” in Argentina in 1959 is crucial to understanding its emotional and cultural dimensions. During this period, Argentina was undergoing significant social and political transitions which often influenced the arts profoundly, including the genre of Tango which has historically been a mirror reflecting the collective emotions of the Argentine people. In such a context, a tango like “Tapado gris” might resonate deeply with an audience experiencing societal shifts, translating personal loss into a more universally felt experience.
Lito Bayardo was an influential figure in Argentine music, known for his deep understanding of tango’s emotional landscape, which he adeptly penned down in his lyrics.