El Choclo

El Choclo, performed by Edmundo Rivero, is a quintessential tango that delves deep into the cultural and emotional essence of this iconic Argentine music genre. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of the tango's origins and its profound impact on the people and places it touched. The opening lines describe the tango as both mocking and streetwise, capturing the spirit of the suburbs where it was born. This dance, with its unique rhythm and cadence, symbolizes a blend of ambition and hope, rising from the gritty neighborhoods to reach for the sky.

The song continues to explore the transformative power of tango, describing it as a magical force that gave birth to new social identities and expressions. The imagery of 'luna en los charcos' (moon in the puddles) and 'canyengue en las caderas' (swagger in the hips) evokes the dance's sensuality and its ability to bring people together in a shared experience of passion and longing. The tango's playful rhythm is juxtaposed with themes of anger, pain, faith, and absence, reflecting the complex emotions that it embodies.

As the narrator reminisces about the tango, there is a poignant sense of nostalgia and loss. The mention of a mother who is no longer present adds a layer of personal sorrow, yet the music of the bandoneón brings a comforting connection to the past. The song also highlights the tango's role in uniting diverse social classes and characters, from the elegant 'shusheta' to the rough 'reo.' The final lines evoke a vivid scene of life in the conventillos (tenements), where the tango's fiery spirit burned brightly, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who lived there.