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…
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Alfredo Le Pera
This week’s translation is an update to “Volver,” a text I reworked directly from the sheet music to achieve a more singable version in English.
The stirring tango “Soledad” features in the 1934 film El Tango en Broadway (directed by Louis J. Gasnier), a movie shot in New York, starring Carlos Gardel and scripted by lyricist Alfredo Le Pera.
The 1935 film El día que me quieras is not just famous for its title number: the song “Volver” also stands among the all-time classic tangos of the silver screen. Carlos Gardel’s performance of the song shows off his unmistakable phrasing, and the clear, moving, effortless tone of his voice carries the melody at its very best.
As the title number of the 1935 film, “El día que me quieras” became an instant classic and added yet another immortal hit to the repertoire of Carlos Gardel. With its recitative opening and interlude, the song hearkens to the tango’s most conspicuous inspiration: the arias of Italian opera.