Malena

Astor Piazzolla's song "Malena" is a poignant exploration of sorrow and nostalgia, encapsulated through the character of Malena, a woman who sings tango with unparalleled emotion. The lyrics describe how Malena's voice is imbued with the essence of her heart, perfuming the air with the scent of the suburbs. Her voice carries the weight of a bandoneón, a traditional tango instrument known for its melancholic sound. This suggests that her singing is deeply influenced by her past, possibly a dark childhood or a lost romance, which she only mentions when she is sad and drinking.

The song delves deeper into the emotional landscape of Malena's life. Her songs are described as having the coldness of a final meeting and the bitterness of memories. The narrator is unsure whether her voice is the flower of a sorrow, but feels that her tangos make her seem kinder, more compassionate than the narrator themselves. This highlights the transformative power of music and how it can convey complex emotions and stories.

Malena's physical attributes are also metaphorically tied to her emotional state. Her dark eyes symbolize forgetfulness, her tightly pressed lips represent resentment, and her cold hands are likened to doves. Her veins are said to carry the blood of a bandoneón, further emphasizing her deep connection to the instrument and the sorrow it represents. Her tangos are described as abandoned creatures navigating the muddy alleys, with all doors closed and the ghosts of songs barking. This imagery paints a vivid picture of desolation and longing, making Malena a symbol of the enduring spirit of tango and its ability to express profound human emotions.