Soy Un Tango Asi
Cacho Castaña
The Soulful Messenger of Buenos Aires: A Tango's Tale
Cacho Castaña's song "Soy Un Tango Asi" is a poetic and evocative tribute to the essence of Buenos Aires, encapsulated through the metaphor of a tango. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the city, its people, and the emotions that flow through its streets. The narrator, personified as a tango, serves as a messenger of emotions, carrying the weight of love, loss, and longing. The imagery of a kiss on faded lapels and a lover left behind because he couldn't give his life speaks to the deep sense of regret and nostalgia that permeates the song.
The tango, as described in the song, is a product of the neighborhood, embodying the stories of both the affluent and the destitute. The reference to a pale neighbor whose life may never see the arrival of a train symbolizes the unfulfilled dreams and stagnant lives of many inhabitants. The tango is also a silent inhabitant, a stowaway in a book of poems, walking arm in arm with alcohol and sorrow. This portrayal highlights the tango's intimate connection with the city's melancholy and its role as a silent witness to the lives of its residents.
Castaña's lyrics also evoke the iconic imagery of Buenos Aires, with mentions of the obelisk, a symbol of the city's adventurous spirit, and the ever-present hope for a guiding light. The tango dreams of being accompanied by an orchestra conductor, a metaphor for the desire for companionship and understanding. The song beautifully captures the essence of Buenos Aires, blending the city's vibrant culture with the poignant emotions of its people, all through the lens of a tango that dreams, regrets, and hopes.