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Tortazos

Tortazos is a Milonga written by José Razzano and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1942. The Milonga Tortazos is written by José Razzano, Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded Tortazos with the singer Oscar Serpa.
“Tortazos,” meaning “slaps” in English, evokes a vivid tapestry of emotions and rhythms. This piece of music dances with the fiery embrace of a passionate tango, where every note strikes with intensity and fervor. It tells a story of love and conflict, each slap echoing both the sting of betrayal and the ardor of desire, embodying the dance’s raw essence.

Milonga

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Oscar Serpa

Singer

Enrique Pedro Maroni

Author

José Razzano

Composer

1942/9/4

Date

Oscar Serpa
Oscar Serpa
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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Tortazos recorded by other Orchestras

Tortazos recorded by other Orchestras

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"

They conquered you with money
And you trotted to the city,
Something inside you
Made you blunder.
To hell went the simple shoe
And you threw everything away,
The eagerness to be seen
Was your most cherished hobby
And now you even have a husband
The things one must endure!

My dear, it amuses me
Your new marital status,
How silly that guy must be
To believe in your aristocracy.
You’re just flat-nosed Pancracia,
Also known as ‘Wrinkled Nose,’
A seller of empanadas
In the neighborhood of Pompeya,
And your mother? Well, of her…
Let’s respect the deceased!

And now you have a ‘car’
And wear ‘petit gris’ fur
And have an unhappy man
Who charms you in French…
What are you doing, for the third time, what are you doing!
Mrs. Ramos Lavalle
When you flaunt your figure
With that thing on your arm,
I don’t smack you there and then
Just to avoid hitting you in the street!

Oh madam, but look at this!
Your matronly pretense,
If you remember Ramona
Pay her the rent.
Don’t act so high and mighty
Splurging all your money,
Lower your high horses, my dear
With your feigned grandeur,
But you’re more affected
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

“Tortazos,” meaning “Slaps” in English, delves into the transformative journey of a woman from humble beginnings to a pretentious high society life, criticized by a narrator who knows her past. The lyrics recount in a biting and satirical tone how the woman, once a simple empanada seller, now masquerades as a lady of higher social standing, having married presumably for money and status rather than love.



Symbolism of Tortazos

The tango uses vivid imagery and sarcastic language to explore themes of pretension and authenticity. “Te conquistaron con plata” (You were conquered by money) reflects societal critique, suggesting the woman’s values were compromised for financial gain. “Vuaturé” and “tapado ‘petí grí'” symbolize her new, borrowed lifestyle, which starkly contrasts her true origins. The frequent use of the word “tortazo,” aside from its literal meaning of a slap, could symbolize the harsh, striking confrontation with one’s true self or origins.



Tortazos in Historic Context

Written in 1942 in Argentina, “Tortazos” reflects a period where societal divisions and appearances were prominently scrutinized, and tango often served as a voice for societal commentary. The local references, such as the neighborhood of Pompeya, ground the song in the everyday life of Buenos Aires, capturing the city’s socio-economic disparities that were especially pronounced during this era.



Enrique Pedro Maroni

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