El Choclo

Alberto Castillo's rendition of 'El Choclo' is a heartfelt homage to the essence and origins of tango. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of the birth and evolution of this iconic dance and music genre, deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of Buenos Aires. The opening lines describe tango as a mischievous and streetwise character, symbolizing the ambition and dreams of the suburban neighborhoods. The tango is portrayed as a transformative force, emerging from the squalid slums and reaching for the heavens, embodying a strange spell of love turned into rhythm. This blend of emotions—anger, pain, faith, and absence—cries out in the innocent yet playful cadence of the music.

The song continues to celebrate the miraculous birth of tango, which gave rise to a new way of life and expression. The 'paicas' and 'grelas' (slang for women) and the moonlit puddles evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. The dance's distinctive movements, described as 'canyengue en las caderas' (swaying hips), reflect a fierce desire in the manner of loving. The lyrics evoke a deep emotional response, as the singer reminisces about the past, feeling the presence of his mother and the comforting embrace of the bandoneón's melody.

'El Choclo' also highlights the cultural melting pot that tango represents. The song mentions various characters from different walks of life—'shusheta' (dandy), 'cana' (policeman), 'reo' (criminal), and 'mishiadura' (poverty)—all finding a voice through tango. The imagery of 'misa de faldas, querosén, tajo y cuchillo' (mass of skirts, kerosene, slash, and knife) captures the raw and gritty reality of the conventillos (tenements) and the passionate heart of the singer. Through its evocative lyrics, 'El Choclo' encapsulates the spirit of tango as a powerful, emotional, and unifying force in Argentine culture.