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Tortazos

Tortazos is a Milonga written by José Razzano and recorded by Lucio Demare in 1942. The Milonga Tortazos is written by José Razzano, Lucio Demare has recorded Tortazos with the singer Juan Carlos Miranda.
“Tortazos,” meaning “Slaps” in English, captures the raw, visceral energy of a passionate Tango. Each note and rhythm in the piece strikes like an emotional jolt, resonating with the intensity of a heated dance floor confrontation. The music echoes the spirited clash of partners, where every movement becomes a powerful expression of life’s fiery exchanges.

Milonga

Style

Lucio Demare

Orchestra

Juan Carlos Miranda

Singer

Enrique Pedro Maroni

Author

José Razzano

Composer

1942/1/23

Date

Juan Carlos Miranda
Juan Carlos Miranda
Lucio Demare
Lucio Demare

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Osmar Maderna – Al compás de tu mentira – 1950/2/2
Osmar Maderna – El bajel – 1948/6/24
Osmar Maderna – La huella – 1950/11/8
Osmar Maderna – Para ti madre – 1949/1/26
Astor Piazzolla – Tu pálido final – 1947/8/29
Astor Piazzolla – Orgullo criollo – 1946/10/7
Astor Piazzolla – Sólo se quiere una vez – 1946/9/2
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Astor Piazzolla – Concierto para quinteto – 1986/1/1
Edgardo Donato – Sinfonía de arrabal – 1940/4/5
Edgardo Donato – En mi jardin – 1932/1/1
Edgardo Donato – El huracán – 1952/11/4
Edgardo Donato – Mentiras – 1930/1/1
Edgardo Donato – El estagiario – 1938/2/5
Alfredo De Angelis – Yira yira – 1961/12/21
Alfredo De Angelis – No vuelvas María – 1950/4/16
Alfredo De Angelis – Miguelito el arriero – 1951/11/5
Alfredo De Angelis – Fumando espero – 1956/4/3
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Recommended

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.

Tortazos recorded by other Orchestras

Tortazos recorded by other Orchestras

1942/1/23 – Malena – Lucio Demare
1942/1/23 – El mentiroso – Jose Garcia
1942/1/23 – Fea – Jose Garcia
1942/1/20 – Belgica – Rodolfo Biagi
1942/1/20 – El huerfano – Enrique Rodriguez
Tortazos – 1944/6/1 – Osvaldo Pugliese – Roberto Chanel
Tortazos – 1942/9/4 – Osvaldo Fresedo – Oscar Serpa
Tortazos – 1942/1/23 – Lucio Demare – Juan Carlos Miranda

Lyrics Translation of the Milonga Tortazos

This is the translation of the Milonga “Tortazos” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Milonga “Tortazos” have been done with AI.

Letra del Milonga Tortazos

Te conquistaron con plata
Y al trote viniste al centro,
Algo tenías adentro
Que te hizo meter la pata.
Al diablo fue la alpargata
Y echaste todo a rodar,
El afán de figurar
Fue tu ‘hobby’ más sentido
Y ahora hasta tenés marido
¡Las cosas que hay que aguantar!

M´hijita me causa gracia
Tu nuevo estado civil,
Si será gil ese gil
Que creyó en tu aristocracia.
Vos sos la ñata Pancracia,
Alias ‘Nariz Arrugada’
Vendedora de empanadas
En el barrio de Pompeya,
¿Y tu mama? Bueno, de ella…
¡Respetemos la finada!

Y ahora tenés ‘vuaturé’
Y usás tapao ‘petí grí’
Y tenés un infeliz
Que la chamuya en francés…
¡Qué hacés, tres veces, qué hacés!
Señora Ramos Lavalle
Si cuando lucís tu talle
Con ese coso del brazo,
¡No te rompo de un tortazo
por no pegarte en la calle!

¡Señora, pero hay que ver!
Tu berretín de matrona,
Si te acordás de Ramona
Abonale el alquiler.
No te hagás la rastacuer
Desparramando la guita,
Bajá el copete, m´hijita
Con tu pinta abacanada,
¡Pero si sos más manyada
Que el tango ‘La Cumparsita’…!

English lyrics of the Milonga "Tortazos"

You were conquered by wealth,
And trotted to the city’s heart,
Something inside you
Caused you to make a fool of yourself.
Your simple shoes went to hell,
And you threw everything away,
The urge to show off
Was your most heartfelt hobby,
And now you even have a husband—
The things one has to endure!

Oh, dear, it’s quite amusing,
Your newly married state,
How silly that fool must be
To believe in your aristocracy.
You’re just Pancracia the snub-nosed,
Known as ‘Wrinkled Nose,’
A pie seller
In the Pompeya neighborhood,
And your mom? Well, let’s…
Respect the deceased!

And now you have a ‘voiture,’
Wearing a ‘petit gris’ cloak,
And you’ve got a wretch
Who sweet talks you in French…
What are you doing, three times over, what are you doing!
Mrs. Ramos Lavalle,
When you flaunt your figure
With that thing on your arm,
I don’t slap you senseless
So as not to hit you in the street!

Oh lady, but look at you!
Your madam airs,
If you remember Ramona,
Pay her the rent.
Don’t act the spendthrift,
Flaunting your money,
Lower your arrogance, my dear,
With your decked-out appearance,
But you’re more messed up
Than the tango ‘La Cumparsita’…!

Tortazos by Enrique Pedro Maroni

Tortazos is a Tango written by Enrique Pedro Maroni and composed by José Razzano.



Story behind the Tango Tortazos

The lyrics of “Tortazos” paint a vivid story of a woman who, once humble and of modest means, has risen socially and economically, possibly through marriage or association with a wealthier individual. Enrique Pedro Maroni uses a conversational and slightly mocking tone to critique the airs and graces adopted by the woman, highlighting a societal disdain for inauthentic behavior and perceived social climbing. The use of colloquial language and local references grounds the narrative firmly in Argentine culture and the barrio (neighborhood) lifestyle, reflecting a kind of social commentary on the shifting dynamics due to economic changes.



Symbolism of Tortazos

The title “Tortazos,” which translates to “slaps” in English, symbolizes the metaphorical slap of reality faced by the woman as the narrator exposes her true origins and mocks her current pretensions. The song uses sharp humor and irony to unveil the incongruities between her past and present statuses, suggesting that no amount of superficial change can erase one’s roots. The references to local culture, such as “vendedora de empanadas” (empanada seller) and “tapao ‘petí grí,'” a phonetic spelling of the French ‘petit gris’ implying a luxurious fur coat, enhance the contrasting imagery between her past and present life.



Tortazos in historic Context

Written in 1942 during a period of significant social and economic changes in Argentina, “Tortazos” reflects the tensions between the traditional, working-class culture and the emerging middle-class aspirations influenced by European customs and lifestyles. This tango, with its critical tone and focus on personal integrity versus social appearance, mirrors broader societal issues relevant at the time, such as identity, social mobility, and authenticity. The use of local vernacular and settings like the neighborhood of Pompeya solidifies the cultural and historical context, drawing a clear line between authentic local identity and affected behaviors.



Enrique Pedro Maroni

Enrique Pedro Maroni was an influential figure in the world of Tango, known for his poignant and often socially reflective lyrics.