Garganta Con Arena

“Garganta Con Arena” by SOLEDAD is a poignant tribute to the legendary tango singer Roberto Goyeneche, affectionately known as 'El Polaco.' The song opens with a melancholic reflection on the passage of time, as the day fails to dawn and the night stretches endlessly. This imagery sets the stage for a life marked by the 'karma' of always singing, a nod to Goyeneche's lifelong dedication to tango. The lyrics evoke a sense of weariness and inevitability, as if the act of singing is both a blessing and a curse.

The song's chorus, “Canta garganta con arena,” translates to “Sing, throat with sand,” a metaphor for Goyeneche's distinctive, gravelly voice. This voice, filled with sorrow and depth, is compared to that of Malena, another iconic figure in tango, but with a unique pain that Malena never expressed. The mention of Juárez and his 'blanco bandoneón' adds another layer of cultural richness, referencing the white bandoneon of Aníbal Troilo, a revered bandoneon player and composer. The song suggests that Goyeneche's voice carries a burden of sorrow that resonates deeply with the audience, even as they applaud, unaware of his personal pain.

The lyrics also highlight the duality of Goyeneche's existence as both a singer and an artist. He is described as an 'equilibrista,' a tightrope walker, balancing the demands of his art with the vices and pains of his life. The song concludes with a personal touch, as the singer reminisces about learning from Goyeneche and the void left in Buenos Aires when his voice is absent. This final sentiment underscores the profound impact Goyeneche had on those who knew him and the cultural fabric of Buenos Aires, making “Garganta Con Arena” a heartfelt homage to a tango legend.