Tristezas de la calle Corrientes by

Tristezas de la calle Corrientes is a Tango written by and composed by Domingo Federico.

Story behind the Tango Tristezas de la calle Corrientes

“Tristezas de la calle Corrientes” is a poignant tango that navigates the complex emotions tied to the iconic Corrientes Avenue in Buenos Aires, a place synonymous with life, dreams, and struggles. The narrative weaves through the bustling street life, revealing a tapestry of desperation, hope, and existential sorrow. Streetwalkers and dreamers, illuminated by neon lights, paint a vivid picture of the human condition, reflecting city life’s inherent joy and pain.

Symbolism of Tristezas de la calle Corrientes

The tango harnesses powerful symbolism to delineate its thematic core. The ‘street’ is a ‘valley of money for bread’, representing the harsh economic realities faced by many residents of Buenos Aires. The ‘river without deviation where the city suffers’ poetically underscores the inescapable flow of daily hardship. References to ‘cruces’ and ‘cartón’ offer metaphors for looming destinies and fragile facades. The juxtaposition of laughter (‘risa’) that demands alcohol’s assurance contrasts with the cries (‘llantos’) molded into marketable songs of love, highlighting a pervasive sense of irony and melancholy. The phrase ‘mercado de las tristes alegrías’ epitomizes the stark contrast between superficial joy and underlying sorrow.

Tristezas de la calle Corrientes in historic Context

Composed in 1942, this tango emerges from a tumultuous era in Argentina, marked by economic instability and burgeoning urbanization. Buenos Aires, particularly Corrientes Avenue, was a cultural and nightlife hub, offering an alluring yet gritty portrait of city life. This period was characterized by a search for identity amid adversity, with tango serving as an emotional outlet and social commentary. The evocative imagery of ‘cruces’ and the ‘puñal del obelisco’ bleeding the street hints at a sense of betrayal or sacrifice, resonant of broader socio-political disillusionment following a string of military coups and upheaval.

Summary of the Author

While more is known about the composer Domingo Federico, the lyricist crafts this tango with a profound understanding of Buenos Aires’s soul, merging powerful imagery with musical melancholy to immortalize a specific time and place.