Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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 tropezón is a Tango written by Luis Bayón Herrera and composed by Raúl De los Hoyos.
The tango “Un tropezón” tells the tale of a man who feels betrayed by his love. The lyrics begin with the man pleading with a police officer not to arrest him, as he is merely a decent man who faced a moment of weakness upon encountering an unfaithful lover. The central theme revolves around the stumbling (‘un tropezón’) we all experience in life and the hard lessons that heartbreak teaches us. The protagonist reflects on how he elevated a woman from misery with love and devotion, only to be let down as she returned to her old ways, confirming the truth in the proverb that ‘the goat returns to the mount.’ This song vividly portrays the emotional turmoil of betrayal, encapsulated in the metaphor of a stumble, leading to enlightenment and the bitter acceptance of reality.
“Un tropezón” features poignant symbolism and metaphorical language that accentuates the emotional torment of the protagonist. The phrase ‘un tropezón cualquiera da en la vida’ symbolizes a minor misstep or error in judgment that everyone makes, emphasizing that pain and mistakes are a part of learning and living. The reference to lifting his lover ‘out of the mud’ (‘D’entre su barro la saqué un día’) and aiming to elevate her to his ‘altar’ symbolizes a transformative journey stained by disillusionment, as his hopes and dreams crash back down to harsh reality. The recurring imagery of being blinded (‘me ciegue’) by the sight of her betrayal speaks to the intense emotional pain that can overshadow rationality and control.
“Un tropezón” was first recorded in 1942, during a period in Argentina when tango music often reflected the social and economic struggles of the common people. This era saw tango evolve as a tool for storytelling, often addressing themes of disappointment, love, and resilience. Positioned in this historic context, “Un tropezón” not only portrays personal anguish but also resonates with the collective experiences of disillusionment and endurance characteristic of that era. The narrative of lifting someone from poverty or ‘mud’ reflects the socio-economic disparities prevailing at the time, while the acknowledgement of personal mistakes outlines a universally relatable human experience.
Luis Bayón Herrera was an influential Argentine filmmaker and writer, known for his contributions to the golden age of Argentine cinema and tango culture.