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.
Y la perdi is a Tango written by José María Contursi and composed by Antonio Rodio.
The tango “Y la perdi” translates to “And I Lost Her” in English, reflecting a profound narrative of loss and desolation. The lyrics paint a picture of a man submerged in profound sorrow and emptiness following the departure or loss of a beloved woman. Contursi uses vivid imagery such as “a tree without flowers,” “an evening without light,” and “a field without sun” to express the depth of his despair and the darkness that has enveloped his life post this loss. These images effectively convey the feelings of solitude and desolation that accompany losing someone who was a “rest along his path” and brightened his hours.
Contursi employs rich symbolism to deepen the emotional impact of “Y la perdi.” The reference to nature—tree, evening, field—symbolizes growth, light, and life, all of which are lost when the woman left. The darkness or “night without stars” symbolizes hopelessness and the profound void that follows a significant loss. The elemental contrast between these vibrant life symbols and their subsequent loss illustrates the emotional landscape of someone grieving. Further, the shattered “crystal dreams” metaphor highlights the fragility of hopes and dreams in the face of harsh realities.
Written in 1948, “Y la perdi” is set in a post-World War II Argentina, a period marked by significant political and social changes. The emotional turmoil in the lyrics might also mirror the collective anxieties of the time, where personal loss could intersect with broader social uncertainties. This era saw the rise of tango as a vehicle for expressing the common man’s struggles and emotions, serving as both a personal and communal outlet in a fast-evolving society.
José María Contursi was a prolific Argentine lyricist known for his deeply emotional and introspective tangos, often focusing on themes of love, loss, and longing.