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Viejo smoking

Viejo smoking is a Tango written by Guillermo Barbieri and recorded by Francini-Pontier in 1952. The Tango Viejo smoking is written by Guillermo Barbieri, Francini-Pontier has recorded Viejo smoking with the singer Julio Sosa.
“Viejo Smoking,” or “Old Tuxedo” in English, evokes a sense of nostalgia and faded elegance. The piece captures the passage of time, where memories cling to the threads of a once-dashing suit that has witnessed countless dances and whispered secrets. As the music plays, it tells the story of bygone glamour and enduring charm, resonating with wistful reverie.

Tango

Style

Francini-Pontier

Orchestra

Julio Sosa

Singer

Celedonio Flores

Author

Guillermo Barbieri

Composer

1952/12/12

Date

Julio Sosa
Julio Sosa
Francini-Pontier
Francini-Pontier

Discover Other Orchestras

Francisco Rotundo – Milonguera – 1954/4/12
Francisco Rotundo – Sobre el pucho (Un callejón en Pompeya) – 1951/9/10
Francisco Rotundo – As de cartón – 1953/1/5
Francisco Rotundo – Mis delirios – 1949/9/30
Francisco Rotundo – Alma de loca – 1952/5/19
Edgardo Donato – Sin sabor (Sinsabor) – 1939/3/27
Edgardo Donato – El adiós – 1938/4/2
Edgardo Donato – Manantial – 1956/10/2
Edgardo Donato – Campo afuera – 1940/4/5
Edgardo Donato – Belén – 1936/6/10
Osvaldo Pugliese – A la luz del candil – 1954/7/14
Osvaldo Pugliese – Pa’ la guardia – 1964/8/1
Osvaldo Pugliese – Poema n°2 (El jubilado) – 1972/12/6
Osvaldo Pugliese – El africano – 1978/12/20
Osvaldo Pugliese – El abrojito – 1945/7/24
Juan D’Arienzo – Selección de tangos – 1972/12/14
Juan D’Arienzo – Gallo ciego – 2015/1/1
Juan D’Arienzo – D’Arienzo y palito – 1969/8/12
Juan D’Arienzo – El flete – 1936/3/4
Juan D’Arienzo – La viruta – 1936/11/27

Recommended

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.

Viejo smoking recorded by other Orchestras

Viejo smoking recorded by other Orchestras

1952/12/12 – La viruta – Carlos di Sarli
1952/12/12 – Marianito – Carlos di Sarli
1952/12/12 – Don Jose Maria – Carlos di Sarli
1952/12/12 – El distinguido ciudadano – Carlos di Sarli
1952/12/12 – El retoque – Francini-Pontier
Viejo smoking – 1952/11/12 – Juan D-Arienzo – Armando Laborde
Viejo smoking – 1949/1/1 – Francisco Rotundo – Carlos Roldan
Viejo smoking – 1952/12/12 – Francini-Pontier – Julio Sosa

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Viejo smoking

This is the translation of the Tango “Viejo smoking” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Viejo smoking” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Viejo smoking

Campaneá cómo el cotorro va quedando despoblado

todo el lujo es la catrera compadreando sin colchón

y mirá este pobre mozo cómo ha perdido el estado,

amargado, pobre y flaco como perro de botón.



Poco a poco todo ha ido de cabeza p’al empeño

se dio juego de pileta y hubo que echarse a nadar…

Sólo vos te vas salvando porque pa’ mi sos un sueño

del que quiera Dios que nunca me vengan a despertar.



Viejo smocking de los tiempos

en que yo también tallaba…

¡Cuánta papusa garaba

en tus solapas lloró!

Solapas que con su brillo

parece que encandilaban

y que donde iba sentaban

mi fama de gigoló.



Yo no siento la tristeza de saberme derrotado

y no me amarga el recuerdo de mi pasado esplendor;

no me arrepiento del vento ni los años que he tirado,

pero lloro al verme solo, sin amigos, sin amor;



sin una mano que venga a llevarme una parada,

sin una mujer que alegre el resto de mi vivir…

¡Vas a ver que un día de éstos te voy a poner de almohada

y, tirao en la catrera, me voy a dejar morir!



Viejo smocking, cuántas veces

la milonguera más papa

el brillo de tu solapa

de estuque y carmín manchó

y en mis desplantes de guapo

¡cuántos llantos te mojaron!

¡cuántos taitas envidiaron

mi fama de gigoló!

English lyrics of the Tango "Viejo smoking"

Notice how the chatterbox has been left empty,
all that’s left is luxury, a cot without a mattress, my friend,
and look at this poor lad, how he has lost his way,
bitter, poor, and thin as a button dog.

Little by little, everything has gone headfirst into pawn,
there was a pool game, and one had to start swimming…
You alone are spared because, to me, you are a dream
which, God willing, they will never wake me from.

Old tuxedo from the days,
when I also had a say…
How many pretty girls
cried on your lapels!
Lapels that with their shine
seemed to dazzle
and wherever I went carried
my reputation as a gigolo.

I don’t feel the sadness of knowing myself defeated,
nor is the memory of my past splendor bitter;
I do not regret the cash nor the years I’ve spent,
but I cry at being alone, without friends, without love;

without a hand to come make a gesture,
without a woman to brighten the rest of my days…
You’ll see, one of these days I’ll use you as a pillow,
and, thrown on the cot, I’m going to let myself die!

Old tuxedo, how many times
the most desired dance hall girl
stained the shine of your lapel
with plaster and rouge
and in my bold displays
how many tears drenched you!
how many tough guys envied
my fame as a gigolo!

Viejo smoking by Celedonio Flores

Viejo smoking is a Tango written by Celedonio Flores and composed by Guillermo Barbieri.



Story behind the Tango Viejo smoking

The lyrics of “Viejo smoking” reflect the poignant narrative of a man looking back on his past life of glory and glamour, which has now faded away. The tango tells the story of lost wealth, lost love, and the harsh realities of aging. The man reminisces about the times when his tuxedo (smoking) was a symbol of his youth and success—a garment that saw many romantic adventures and was admired in the vibrant nightlife of Buenos Aires. Yet, in current times, he is left alone, with his tuxedo being the sole survivor of his better days.



Symbolism of Viejo smoking

The “viejo smoking” or old tuxedo stands as a powerful symbol throughout the song. It represents the protagonist’s past life of elegance and joy, contrasting sharply with his present state of poverty and loneliness. The tuxedo is anthropomorphized; it witnesses the protagonist’s decline from a respected “gigolo” to a solitary, defeated man. Symbolism is further enriched by the emotional attachment to the tuxedo, it holding the memories of better days and lost loves, making it not just a piece of clothing but a repository of past identities and experiences.



Viejo smoking in historic Context

“Viejo smoking” was penned in a post-World War II era Argentina, where tango often echoed the sentiments of the lower and middle classes facing economic and social issues. The year 1952 marked a poignant time in Argentina, shortly before the death of Eva Perón, during a period where political and social tensions were high. In this context, the nostalgia and sadness in “Viejo smoking” reflect broader societal feelings of loss and the yearning for better days amidst the uncertainty and change. This backdrop enriches the understanding of the lyrics as more than personal regret but also as communal mourning.



Celedonio Flores

Celedonio Flores was a renowned Argentine poet and tango lyricist, known for his vivid portrayals of life in Buenos Aires and its complex social tapestry.