Maldito tango
Luis Roldán
The Enchanting Curse of the Tango
Luis Roldán's song "Maldito tango" tells a poignant story of love, loss, and the intoxicating power of music. The protagonist begins by recounting a time when they worked happily in a bazaar, untouched by the desire to dance. This changes when a young man, who becomes their lover, introduces them to the tango. The dance becomes an obsession, filling their heart with a sweet illusion of love and hope. The tango's melody is described as soft and strange, yet it brings immense joy and dreams to the protagonist's heart, symbolizing the initial enchantment and allure of both the dance and the romantic relationship.
However, the story takes a dark turn as the tango, once a source of joy, becomes a symbol of betrayal and despair. The lover abandons the protagonist, leaving them heartbroken and seeking solace in the cabaret. The tango, which once made their heart dream, now makes it bleed with sorrow. The protagonist's pain is so profound that they turn to cocaine for comfort, highlighting the destructive path that follows the loss of their love and the disillusionment with the dance that once brought them happiness.
In the final verses, the protagonist reflects on their current state, a shadow of their former self, seeking strength in absinthe to forget their anguish. The tango, once a source of enchantment, is now cursed, blamed for their ruin. The song ends with a powerful condemnation of the tango, which is described as both fascinating and deadly. This duality captures the essence of the song: the tango's ability to enchant and destroy, symbolizing the highs and lows of love and the devastating impact of betrayal and addiction.