Yira yira by Enrique Santos Discepolo

Yira yira is a Tango written by Enrique Santos Discepolo and composed by Enrique Santos Discepolo.

Story behind the Tango Yira yira

“Yira yira” reflects a poignant tale of love, betrayal, and the relentless passage of time, depicted through the streets and memories of the narrator’s youth. The lyrics transport us to a “Viejo rincón de mis primeros tangos,” a corner reminiscent of first loves and dances, intertwining personal loss with physical decay. The narrator revisits his past, embodying the emotions of loss and nostalgia, accentuated by the physical destruction of a once-familiar home and the absence of his beloved mother.

Symbolism of Yira yira

The phrase “yira yira,” translating to something that continuously turns or spins around, symbolizes the inexorable flow of life and its hardships, showing a cyclical and somewhat fatalistic view of existence. The repeated line, “De un tango el vaivén da vida a un amor; de un tango al vaivén nos hacen traición,” illustrates that life, like a tango, has its ups and downs; it breathes life into love but also leads to betrayal. This duality of the tango rhythm exemplifies the fluctuating fortunes of the narrator’s life, filled with both joyous and tragic moments.

Yira yira in historic Context

While “Yira yira” was reportedly written in 1983, the prevalent themes and the setting vividly depict an earlier era in Argentine history, characterized by traditional tango culture. The historical backdrop includes elements of the early 20th century Buenos Aires, where tango was not just a dance but a narrative medium of the lower and middle-class experiences. This period was marked by rapid urbanization, bringing about significant socio-economic changes. Discepolo portrays these changes through the decay and transformations within the familiar spaces of his youth, now seen as sites of nostalgia and loss.

Enrique Santos Discepolo

Enrique Santos Discepolo was a prolific Argentine musician, playwright, and composer, revered for his profound tangos that often encapsulated deep social and personal critiques.