"Por una Cabeza" | |
---|---|
Song | |
Written | 1935 |
Genre | Tango |
Length | 2:34 |
Label | RCA Victor |
Composer(s) | Carlos Gardel |
Lyricist(s) | Alfredo Le Pera |
"Por una Cabeza" (pronounced[ˈpoɾˈunakaˈβesa]) is atango song written in 1935 with music byCarlos Gardel and lyrics byAlfredo Le Pera.[1]
The name is aSpanish horse-racing phrase meaning "by a head", which refers to a horse winning (or losing) a race narrowly – by just the length of its head. The lyrics speak of a compulsivehorse-trackgambler who compares hisaddiction for horses with his attraction to women.
Alfredo Le Pera was born in Brazil, son of Italian immigrants. Le Pera and Gardel died in an aeroplane crash inMedellín, on Monday, June 24, 1935.[2]
"Por Una Cabeza" is featured in a famous tango scene inMartin Brest's filmScent of a Woman (1992), in the opening scene ofSteven Spielberg'sSchindler's List (1993), and inJames Cameron'sTrue Lies (1994).[3][4]
Por una cabeza | Por una cabeza, | Cuántos desengaños, | Por una cabeza, |
...an instrumental recording ofPor una Cabeza used in the filmsScent of a Woman andTrue Lies. The original version of the song, a hit from the 1930s by Carlos Gardel and Alfredo La Pera...
Finally, in Steven Spielburg'sSchindler's List (1993), Liam Neeson dances, once again, to "Por una cabeza."