Viejo Buenos Aires by Martín Darré

Viejo Buenos Aires is a Tango written by Martín Darré and composed by Mariano Mores.

Story behind the Tango Viejo Buenos Aires

The tango “Viejo Buenos Aires” conveys nostalgia and sadness over the transformation of Buenos Aires from a place of intimate memories and affections to a bustling, modern city. The lyrics are a poetic lament for the “old” Buenos Aires, remembered fondly in the personal and collective memory of those who have seen its change over the years. The phrase “Viejo Buenos Aires… ¡cómo has cambiado, rincón de mis amores!” reflects a deep emotional connection to a city that has undergone significant transformations, leaving behind the spaces and memories cherished by older generations.

Symbolism of Viejo Buenos Aires

The lyric “Sueño de tus albores que hoy despierta en tu grandeza y en tus honores” uses dawn (albores) as a symbol for beginnings and birth, contrasting it with the present greatness and honors, suggesting a loss not covered by material or surface-level improvements. The mention of Carlos Gardel, a legendary tango singer, serves as a poignant symbol of the city’s golden age of tango, culture, and simpler times, now replaced by the spiritually empty “brillar de estrellas” or the superficial sparkle of the modern city.

Viejo Buenos Aires in historic Context

Recorded in 1966, “Viejo Buenos Aires” emerges during a period of rapid urban development and cultural shifts in Buenos Aires and Argentina at large. The year 1966 also ushers in a military coup in Argentina, leading to further disruptions and changes in the societal fabric. This tango, therefore, not only mourns the physical and aesthetic transformations of the city but also subtly critiques the broader social and political upheavals affecting the people’s life and culture at the time.

Martín Darré

Martín Darré was an influential lyricist in the tango genre, known for his deep emotional insight and ability to capture the soul of Buenos Aires in his lyrics.