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.
Un infierno is a Tango written by Reinaldo Yiso and composed by Francisco Rotundo.
The lyrics of “Un infierno” depict the intense suffering caused by a betrayed love. Reinaldo Yiso articulates the deep emotional pain and mischief that comes from being betrayed by a loved one, whose promises turned out to be deceitful. The singer describes his enamor and subsequent agony as a once affectionate embrace that becomes a violent grip, and the caressing words turning into eternal torment for his soul. It’s a narrative about continuing to love despite the betrayal, their love ingrained so deeply it seems inescapable, much like an addiction.
The symbolism in “Un infierno” significantly enhances the depth of the emotional state described. Phrases like “un infierno cruel y eterno” (a cruel and eternal hell) and “todavía te perdono y te quiero mucho más” (still I forgive you and love you even more) reflect the internal paradoxes the protagonist feels. Here, the notion of hell is not just an external location but an internal and emotional state. Moreover, referring to the betrayal as a “puñal” – a dagger stabbed in the back – illustrates the sharp and unexpected nature of pain caused by betrayal. The poetic choice vividly portrays the intense personal agony, likening the betrayal to a physical wound.
“Un infierno” was composed in 1954, a period after the first presidency of Juan Domingo Perón in Argentina, at a time marked by political upheaval and social change. This time frame plays into the lyrics by potentially mirroring the public sentiment of disillusionment in personal and broader societal contexts. As Tango often reflected the feelings of the common people, this piece might also encapsulate a collective sense of betrayal and enduring despite pain, metaphorically tied back to the socio-political climate in Argentina.
Reinaldo Yiso was a prolific Argentine lyricist in the mid-20th century, known for his profound and emotionally charged tango lyrics.