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1917
The tango-canción is born — Gardel
In 1917, tango became a song.
In 1917, Carlos Gardel sang and recorded “Mi Noche Triste” (My Sad Night). This is considered the birth of the tango-canción — the tango as a song carrying deeply emotional lyrics.
The music was originally an instrumental written in 1915 by Samuel Castriota, with lyrics added by Pascual Contursi. Gardel's interpretation brought story and poetry to what had been music for dancing. Gardel would become a worldwide star and the very symbol of tango.
Key terms
- Tango-canción
- The sung tango, with lyrics; born in 1917.
- Carlos Gardel
- Tango's greatest singer and its enduring symbol.
- Mi Noche Triste
- Regarded as the first tango-canción.