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.
Toma estas monedas is a Tango written by Carlos Bahr and composed by Juan D´Arienzo y Fulvio Salamanca.
The lyrics of “Toma estas monedas” express a profound disillusionment and heartbreak. The protagonist appears to be speaking to a former lover, emphasizing betrayal and the painful resolution of offering money as a symbol of final separation. The song conveys themes of love, betrayal, and the painful cost of emotional transactions. The recurring refrain, “Toma estas monedas” (Take these coins), underscores the emotional transaction between the speaker and the addressed, as if to settle a debt that isn’t just monetary but deeply personal and painful.
The coins in “Toma estas monedas” are a powerful symbol of transaction and disdain. They represent a severing of ties, a final payment to ensure separation. The repeated phrase “Es poco dinero si te he de tasar” (It’s little money if I have to appraise you) suggests a devaluation of the relationship and the person, highlighting how the emotional connection has been reduced to a cold, financial transaction. Additionally, the reference to “el oro sucio” (the dirty gold) comments on corruption and moral degradation, tying personal relationships to wider themes of ethical decay.
Written and recorded in Argentina in 1953, “Toma estas monedas” emerges in a post-World War II environment, where societal and economic shifts were prominent. The disillusionment expressed in the tango might mirror the broader societal disenchantment of the time, as the country grappled with political and social changes. The raw emotion and stark representation of transactional relationships could reflect a reaction to the perceived commercialization and moral compromises of the era.
Carlos Bahr was a pivotal figure in the Argentine tango scene, known for his evocative lyrics that often delve into themes of love, betrayal, and social commentary.