Como Dos Extraños
Roberto Goyeneche
The Haunting Dance of Memory and Change
The song "Como Dos Extraños" by Roberto Goyeneche, a renowned figure in the world of tango, is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the transformation of love. The lyrics speak to the heartache of reuniting with a past love, only to find that the connection that once was has irrevocably changed. The song's narrator grapples with the pain of realizing that the person they once knew has become a stranger, and the memories of what they shared bring more sorrow than comfort.
The opening lines set a tone of vulnerability, with the narrator admitting to being overwhelmed by loneliness and the fear of dying far from their beloved. This intense emotional state drives the narrator to seek out their former love, hoping for salvation. However, upon reuniting, the narrator is confronted with the harsh truth that time has altered both of them and their relationship. The phrase 'Lección que por fin aprendí' ('A lesson that I finally learned') underscores the bitter wisdom gained through this experience.
The song's melancholic mood is further deepened by the imagery of the sun's light fading as the narrator listens to their former love speak indifferently. The contrast between the warmth of their past love and the coldness of their current interaction is a testament to the transformative power of time. The repeated chorus, expressing the shock of feeling like strangers and the anguish of lost hope and faith, captures the essence of the song's message: the inevitability of change and the enduring impact of memories, even when they bring pain.