La Cumparsita

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“La Cumparsita”

Song

La Cumparsita is a musical piece written by Uruguayan musician Gerardo Matos Rodríguez in 1917. It is one of the most famous and recognizable tango songs of all time. The title translates as "The little parade" and the original lyrics begin: "The little parade of endless miseries..."

It was presented in Confitería La Giralda, now located in the historic Palacio Salvo in downtown Montevideo. Argentines have claim this famous tango to be theirs, based on the fact that Pascual Contursi was the autor of the actual version, and the lyrics of the tango were written by two Argentine poets, but without authorisation. Uruguayan music writer Gerardo Matos Rodríguez is known for telling them: "Fine, since you have written the lyrics, then go ahead and play the lyrics"^{[citation needed]}!

Many agree "La Cumparsita" belongs to both countries. In other words, just like tango itself, "La Cumparsita" belongs to the Río de la Plata. With new lyrics the melody became "Strange Sensation", a popular song of the '50s in United States, recorded by Mel Tormé among others.

It was included in a ball scene of the film "Sunset Boulevard" (1950) where it was danced by Gloria Swanson and William Holden and, remixed, could be heard in "Take the Lead" where a three-dancer tango danced to it Jenna Dewan, Dante Basco and Elijah Kelley.

In the Olympic Games of Sydney 2000, the Argentine team marched to "La Cumparsita". This originated protests and official claims from the Uruguayan government^{[citation needed]}.

The song was named cultural and popular anthem of Uruguay by law^[1] in 1997. ^[2] ^[3]