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Te llaman Malevo

Te llaman Malevo is a Tango written by Aníbal Troilo and recorded by Aníbal Troilo in 1957. The Tango Te llaman Malevo is written by Aníbal Troilo, Aníbal Troilo has recorded Te llaman Malevo with the singer Ángel Cárdenas.
“Te llaman Malevo,” which translates to “They Call You Malevo,” carries an aura of mystique and rebellion. In its evocative notes, there’s a dance between shadow and light, suggesting a figure both feared and revered. This tango whispers tales of a renegade spirit, whose defiance and charisma linger in every haunting melody.

Tango

Style

Aníbal Troilo

Orchestra

Ángel Cárdenas

Singer

Homero Exposito

Author

Aníbal Troilo

Composer

1957/7/10

Date

 Ángel Cárdenas
Ángel Cárdenas
Aníbal Troilo
Aníbal Troilo

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Lyrics Translation of the Tango Te llaman Malevo

This is the translation of the Tango “Te llaman Malevo ” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Te llaman Malevo ” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Te llaman Malevo

Nació en un barrio con malvón y luna
por donde el hambre suele hacer gambetas
y desde pibe fue poniendo el hombro
y anchó a trabajo su sonrisa buena.
La sal del tiempo le oxidó la cara
cuando una mina lo dejó en chancleta
y entonces solo, para siempre solo,
largó el laburo y se metió en la huella.

Malevo, te olvidaste en los boliches
los anhelos de tu vieja.
Malevo, se agrandaron tus hazañas
con las copas de ginebra.
Por ella, tan sólo por ella,
dejaste una huella de amargo rencor.
Malevo, ¡qué triste!
jugaste y perdiste
tan sólo por ella
que nunca volvió.

Tambor de tacos redoblando calles
para que se entren las muchachas buenas
y allí el silencio que mastica el pucho
dejando siempre la mirada a cuenta.
Dicen que dicen que una noche zurda
con el cuchillo deshojó la espera
y entonces solo, como flor de orilla,
largó el cansancio y se mató por ella.

English lyrics of the Tango "Te llaman Malevo "

He was born in a neighborhood with moon and geraniums
where hunger often plays tricks
and since a kid, he was always putting in effort
and his good-natured smile broadened with work.
The salt of time rusted his face
when a girl left him with nothing
and then alone, forever alone,
he abandoned his job and hit the road.

Tough guy, you forgot in the bars
your mother’s dreams.
Tough guy, your deeds grew larger
with the shots of gin.
For her, only for her,
you left a trail of bitter resentment.
Tough guy, how sad!
You played and lost
just for her
who never returned.

Drumbeats of heels rattling streets
so the good girls can pass by
and there the silence that chews the smoke
always leaving the gaze pending.
They say, they say that one crooked night
he shed the wait with a knife
and then alone, like a shore flower,
he let go of the fatigue and killed himself for her.

Te llaman Malevo by Aníbal Troilo

Te llaman Malevo is a Tango written by and composed by Aníbal Troilo.

Story behind the Tango Te llaman Malevo

“Te llaman Malevo” presents the poignant story of a man from a humble neighborhood, defined by the struggles and hardships of his upbringing. The protagonist’s journey is marked by resilience, as he worked hard from a young age, and by disillusionment, particularly after being left heartbroken by a woman. This tale captures the loneliness that follows as he abandons his labor and falls into a life of drinking and reminiscing lost dreams. The narrative conveys the profound impact of lost love, culminating in a tragic end.

Symbolism of Te llaman Malevo

The lyrics use rich symbolism to convey emotional depth. The “barrio con malvón y luna” evokes a sense of a quaint, impoverished neighborhood, where beauty and harsh reality coexist. The “hambre que suele hacer gambetas” (hunger that dodges) highlights the struggle for survival. The protagonist’s journey of leaving work and diving into a “huella” (path or track) illustrates a path of self-destruction. The “tambor de tacos” (drum of heels) represents fleeting enchantment and illusions that pass by. A pivotal motif is the “copas de ginebra,” symbolizing his attempts to drown sorrows and failed dreams, while “una huella de amargo rencor” (a trail of bitter resentment) underscores the lingering pain of love lost.

Te llaman Malevo in historic Context

Set in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the tango was composed in 1957, a period marked by social and political change. Buenos Aires is a city with a rich tango heritage, and this piece draws deeply from its urban landscape, with its iconic streets and neighborhoods providing the backdrop. The post-war era in Argentina was characterized by economic challenges and shifting identities, framing the malevo’s transformation and disillusionment. The reference to “boliches” reflects the cultural venues typical of Argentine nightlife at the time, integral to the tango scene.

About Aníbal Troilo

Aníbal Troilo was a revered Argentine tango composer and bandoneon player, well-known for his contributions to the golden age of tango music. His works often reflect the emotional depth and cultural essence of Argentine tango.