Apologia Tanguera

Edmundo Rivero's 'Apologia Tanguera' is a profound exploration of the tango's essence, capturing its raw, emotional, and often contradictory nature. The song delves into the soul of tango, portraying it as a dance and musical form that embodies both joy and sorrow, life and death. Rivero's lyrics paint a vivid picture of tango as a symbol of resilience and struggle, dressed in mourning yet full of life. The imagery of a 'cachetazo' (slap) and 'hachazo' (axe blow) on the forehead suggests the harsh realities and emotional scars that tango carries, hidden beneath its rhythmic elegance.

The song continues to describe tango as a blend of contrasting elements. It is both 'la Risa' (laughter) and 'la Muerte' (death), dressed as a 'milonguero' (tango dancer). This duality is further emphasized by the references to 'mala suerte' (bad luck) and 'barbijo de muerte' (death mask), highlighting the dance's association with both misfortune and a sense of fatalism. The bandoneón, a quintessential instrument in tango music, is described as containing the soul of the common people ('chusmaje'), infusing the music with their collective emotions and experiences.

Rivero's lyrics also touch on the global influence of tango, mentioning its impact in Paris and its ability to evoke strong emotions, making even the toughest 'apache' (a term for a Parisian gangster) tremble and the 'Mimís' (a reference to women) cry. The song portrays tango as a powerful force that transcends cultural boundaries, capable of expressing deep sorrow and fleeting joy. The final verses encapsulate this duality, describing tango as a mix of 'prepotencia' (arrogance) and 'mal' (evil), 'lágrima' (tear) and 'delantal' (apron), 'velorio' (wake) and 'cocaína' (cocaine), and the 'tristeza de mina' (woman's sadness) that pierces like a dagger. Through these vivid metaphors, Rivero captures the essence of tango as a dance of life and death, a poignant reflection of the human condition.