Un Baile a Beneficio (feat. Jorge Vidal)

Osvaldo Pugliese's song 'Un Baile a Beneficio,' featuring Jorge Vidal, paints a vivid picture of a chaotic yet spirited night out. The narrative begins with a group of friends, including Pantaleón, Pepino, loco Juan, Santillan, Tito, and Ramón, heading to a dance event organized to benefit a friend who is imprisoned in Devoto for theft. This friend, despite being from a good family, has a peculiar habit of stealing chickens, which adds a layer of dark humor to the story.

The song's lyrics are rich with colorful characters and lively scenes. At the event, the narrator and his friends encounter a variety of people, including a drunken guitarist named Augusto and a perpetually inebriated man known as 'el sordo.' The atmosphere is further enlivened by the presence of several women, each with their own unique nicknames and backstories, such as 'la flaca Pañoleta' and 'la gorda del corralón.' The dance floor becomes a battleground of sorts, with intense dancing and occasional scuffles, including a humorous incident where a woman accidentally steps on loco Juan's bunion, nearly causing a fight.

The night escalates into chaos when a man slaps loco Juan, leading to a brawl. Santillan fires a gunshot, causing everyone to flee. The narrator humorously concludes the night by stealing a bandoneon and a coat, while loco Juan is left with a swollen face. The song captures the essence of camaraderie, the unpredictability of nightlife, and the rough-and-tumble nature of the characters' lives. Pugliese's music, known for its deep connection to the tango tradition, provides a fitting backdrop to this tale of mischief and mayhem, blending humor with a touch of melancholy.