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Viejo smoking

Viejo smoking is a Tango written by Guillermo Barbieri and recorded by Juan D’Arienzo in 1952. The Tango Viejo smoking is written by Guillermo Barbieri, Juan D’Arienzo has recorded Viejo smoking with the singer Armando Laborde.
“Viejo Smoking,” or “Old Tuxedo,” weaves a tale of elegance touched by time’s gentle hand. In its melodies, one hears the rustle of bygone nights, where memories of grandeur linger beneath the stars’ subtle glow. The piece is a bittersweet dance through nostalgia, celebrating the charm of what was while embracing the beauty of enduring grace.

Tango

Style

Juan D'Arienzo

Orchestra

Armando Laborde

Singer

Celedonio Flores

Author

Guillermo Barbieri

Composer

1952/11/12

Date

Armando Laborde
Armando Laborde
Juan D'Arienzo
Juan D’Arienzo

Discover Other Orchestras

Aníbal Troilo – Toda mi vida – 1971/4/26
Aníbal Troilo – Quién lo habría de pensar – 1963/5/14
Aníbal Troilo – Quiero huir de mí – 1963/5/14
Aníbal Troilo – Fuegos artificiales – 1945/5/29
Aníbal Troilo – Gardel-Razzano (El morocho y el oriental) – 1947/7/4
Julio De Caro – Esta noche – 1939/10/7
Julio De Caro – Carro viejo – 1928/1/1
Julio De Caro – Canción del olvido – 1931/1/1
Julio De Caro – Potpourri de tangos (Sólo de cuatro bandoneones) – 1935/7/18
Julio De Caro – Agua corriente – 1926/1/1
Adolfo Carabelli – Felicia – 1932/6/24
Adolfo Carabelli – La guiñada – 1932/10/28
Adolfo Carabelli – El Caburé – 1932/10/28
Adolfo Carabelli – Contigo siempre – 1933/3/14
Adolfo Carabelli – El mundo sigue al revés – 1934/1/1
Rodolfo Biagi – Marcheta (Marquita) – 1941/12/3
Rodolfo Biagi – Arriba jara – 1966/1/1
Rodolfo Biagi – A la luz del candil – 1943/3/3
Rodolfo Biagi – La marcha nupcial – 1941/3/26
Rodolfo Biagi – Cuatro palabras – 1941/7/29

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

1952/11/12 – El comandante – Juan D-Arienzo
1952/11/12 – Un alma buena – Juan D-Arienzo
1952/11/12 – Siempre tu en mi corazon – Juan D-Arienzo
1952/11/12 – Florida – Juan D-Arienzo
1952/11/12 – El romantico – Juan D-Arienzo
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"

Observe how the parrot is gradually left alone

all the luxury is a cot, friendliness without a mattress

and look at this poor guy how he has lost his status,

bitter, poor, and thin like a kennel dog.

Little by little everything has gone head first into hock

it was time for swimming, and one had to dive in…

Only you keep going because for me you are a dream

that may God never come to wake me from.

Old tuxedo from the times

when I too was important…

So many pretty girls cried

on your lapels!

Lapels that with their shine

seemed to dazzle

and wherever I went they affirmed

my reputation as a gigolo.

I don’t feel the sadness of knowing myself defeated

nor does the memory of my past splendor sour me;

I don’t regret the cash or the years I’ve squandered,

but I cry to find myself alone, without friends, without love;

without a hand to help me make a stand,

without a woman to brighten the rest of my life…

You’ll see, one of these days I’m going to use you as a pillow

and, thrown on the cot, I’m going to let myself die!

Old tuxedo, how many times

the fanciest dancer

stained the shine of your lapel

with plaster and lipstick

and in my bold confrontations

how many tears soaked you!

how many tough guys envied

my reputation 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

“Viejo smoking” or “Old Tuxedo” in English, narrates the poignant tale of a man reflecting on his faded glory and current state of desolation. The lyrics describe a dramatic fall from grace, where once luxurious living has given way to poverty and isolation. Through the metaphor of the old tuxedo, the protagonist reminisces about his past, filled with friends, love, and fame which are now only memories. The emotional depth portrays a stark contrast between his splendid past and his dire present circumstances, filled with loss and loneliness.


Symbolism of Viejo smoking

The “viejo smoking” symbolizes the main character’s former life of glamour and attention, which has now dimmed. The repeated references to the tuxedo in scenes of past celebrations contrast sharply with his current loneliness and abandonment, symbolizing the fleeting nature of such a lifestyle. Key phrases like “sin amigos, sin amor” (without friends, without love) and “me voy a dejar morir” (I will let myself die) underline the themes of despair and resignation. The worn-out tuxedo, once a symbol of his high social standing, now serves as a painful reminder of what has been irrevocably lost.


Viejo smoking in historic Context

This tango was recorded in 1952, a period marked by significant political and social changes in Argentina. The nostalgic and melancholic tone of “Viejo smoking” could be reflecting the general sentiment of instability and change during this era. The cultural landscape of Argentina, with its rich tango tradition, serves as a backdrop for this personal story of downfall and the fleeting nature of success. The tango, a dance of deep emotional intensity, perfectly encapsulates the feelings of loss and yearning expressed in the lyrics.


Celedonio Flores

Celedonio Flores was a renowned Argentine poet and tango lyricist known for his poignant and emotionally rich lyrics.