Hollywood’s favorite tango by a considerable margin is the 1935 screen hit “Por una cabeza,” which Gardel sang in his last movie Tango Bar. In its original setting, the song rises out of some banter between guys as they commiserate over losing, and while Alfredo Le Pera’s text remains a bit predictable in its character portrait—never rising beyond cliché—Gardel’s music for the song, to say nothing of his memorable singing, elevates it into a riveting set-piece. Altogether it is a great example of the tango emulating comic opera.
The horse-racing metaphor that bookends the song is endearing to some fans, who recall Gardel’s own passion for the sport, but its very silliness is what makes the song work. It portrays a helpless sap, who becomes endearing by the persistent innocence of his attractions that never work out, somewhat like a certain cartoon skunk of beloved memory. Small wonder then that Hollywood has consistently used the song as a projection of overbearing male power—in Scent of a Woman (1992), Schindler’s List (1993), True Lies (1994), and Easy Virtue (2008).
By Only a Head There
(Tr. Jake Spatz)
YouTube: Carlos Gardel (film)
By only a head there
A thoroughbred racer
Can falter the finish
And throw it away,
And as he returns
Seem about to say:
”Remember now, brother,
No one said you have to play.”
By only a head there
At a stroke of fancy,
Will some new flirtatious
And lighthearted dame,
Smiling and betraying
That her love is only playing,
Set my little passion
Going up in flame.
By only a head there
Is lost every madness…
Her kiss that erases
All my troubles’ traces,
Soothing every sadness…
By only a head there
If she should forget me,
Who cares if I’m done for
A thousand times over,
What’s there left to live?
All those disappointments
By only a head there
Made me swear I’d never
Get taken again…
But if passing by
Someone bats an eye,
Her lips may be fire
But I’d kiss her there and then.
Now I’m done with races,
Gambling lies behind me,
All my days of dead heats
And grandstands are through…
But if Sunday’s horses
Are a shoo-in at the courses,
I’ve got sheets of tickets—
What’s a guy to do!…
Por una cabeza (1935)
Music: Carlos Gardel
Lyrics: Alfredo Le Pera
Por una cabeza
de un noble potrillo
que justo en la raya
afloja al llegar,
y que al regresar
parece decir:
“No olvides, hermano,
vos sabés, no hay que jugar”.
Por una cabeza
metejón de un día,
de aquella coqueta
y burlona mujer,
que al jurar sonriendo
el amor que está mintiendo,
quema en una hoguera
todo mi querer.
Por una cabeza
todas las locuras,
su boca que besa
borra la tristeza
calma la amargura.
Por una cabeza
si ella me olvida,
qué importa perderme
mil veces la vida
para qué vivir.
Cuántos desengaños
por una cabeza,
yo juré mil veces
no vuelvo a insistir;
pero si un mirar
me hiere al pasar,
sus labios de fuego
otra vez quiero besar.
Basta de carreras,
se acabó la timba,
un final reñido
yo no vuelvo a ver;
pero si algún pingo
llega a ser fija el domingo,
yo me juego entero
¡qué le voy a hacer!…