El Tango de Roxanne
Moulin Rouge
The Lament of Love and Liberation in 'El Tango de Roxanne'
The song 'El Tango de Roxanne' is a passionate and dramatic piece featured in the film 'Moulin Rouge'. It is a reinterpretation of The Police's classic hit 'Roxanne', which tells the story of a man pleading with a prostitute not to sell her body. The song is a fusion of tango and rock, and it carries a heavy emotional weight, as it delves into themes of love, jealousy, and freedom.
In 'El Tango de Roxanne', the protagonist expresses his deep anguish and love for Roxanne, imploring her not to engage in prostitution. The lyrics suggest a complex relationship where love is entangled with the harsh realities of Roxanne's life. The repetition of 'You don't have to put on that red light' emphasizes the protagonist's desire for her to leave a life he sees as degrading. The tango elements in the music add to the intensity of the emotions, reflecting the dance's traditional themes of passion and desire.
The song also includes a verse in Spanish, which heightens the sense of drama and longing. The Spanish lyrics translate to a lament of lost love and a life filled with pain, reinforcing the theme of unrequited love and the despair of not being able to convince Roxanne to change her ways. The protagonist's internal struggle is palpable as he grapples with his feelings and the reality of the situation. 'El Tango de Roxanne' is a powerful narrative of love's complexities and the yearning for a loved one's liberation from a life of exploitation.