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.
Yo no sé por qué te quiero is a Tango written by Ivo Pelay and composed by Francisco Canaro.
“Yo no sé por qué te quiero” translates to “I don’t know why I love you.” This tango speaks to the inexplicable nature of love, conveying a deep sentiment of unrequited love. The lyrics invite listeners into a heartfelt narrative where the speaker is engulfed in feelings of love despite receiving nothing but indifference and coldness in return. Through the plaintive inquiry—the repeated refrains of confusion and pain—the song captures the baffling, often irrational, nature of human emotions.
The tango uses potent symbols of cold and distance, as seen in phrases like “veo nieve solamente” (I see only snow) and descriptions of the loved one’s eyes as always cold. Such imagery enhances the sense of emotional void and unreciprocated affection, painting the beloved as distant and unattainable. The juxtaposition of the speaker’s warm, passionate feelings against the beloved’s frigid disinterest deepens the theme of unrequited love, making the emotional desolation even more poignant.
Released in 1959, a time when tango was not only a musical style but also a powerful expression of emotional and social narratives, “Yo no sé por qué te quiero” offers a glimpse into personal despair amidst broader societal transitions in Argentina. The post-Peron era was a time of significant political and social upheaval. Against this backdrop, this tango, with its themes of longing and unrequited affection, may reflect larger feelings of disillusionment and yearning that pervaded Argentine society at the time.
Ivo Pelay was an Argentinian playwright, poet, and lyricist renowned for his contributions to the literary and musical landscape of Latin America, particularly in the realm of tango.