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.
Toda mi vida is a Tango written by José María Contursi and composed by Aníbal Troilo.
The lyrics of “Toda mi vida” profoundly express themes of love, loss, and repentance. José María Contursi lays bare the soul of an individual who has lost their significant other, not through physical departure but through emotional absence. The narrator reflects poignantly on their past love, acknowledging deep suffering brought on by the beloved’s forgetfulness and his unwavering, perhaps unreciprocated, affection that continues even in her absence. This bittersweet recollection culminates in acceptance of his lonely fate, a life without his loved one’s presence but forever haunted by her memory.
Symbolism runs deep in “Toda mi vida.” Phrases like “y en el frío de mi frente, tus besos no dejarás” use coldness to signify the feeling of loneliness and loss of the warmth once provided by the lover’s physical affection. The mention of dying “lentamente” (slowly) not only refers to the physical sense of life dwindling but also mirrors the slow fade of fond memories into painful ones. The insignificance the speaker feels is captured in calling himself merely a “pasaje de tu vida” (a passage in your life), emphasizing the transient and seemingly inconsequential impact he had on her life despite how profound his feelings are/were.
Composed and released in 1968 by Aníbal Troilo, “Toda mi vida” reflects the emotional and cultural temperament of Argentina during a time period that was charged with political and social change. While 1968 globally was a year of political upheavals and changes, in Argentina, it was also a time of deep self-reflection and cultural expression, often through music. Tango, inherently melancholic and soulful, served as a poignant outlet for exploring themes of human suffering, longing and complex emotional landscapes that were prevalent during this era.
José María Contursi was an influential Argentine poet and lyricist known for his deeply emotive and poignant tango lyrics that often explored themes of love, loss, and existential sorrow.