Cacho Castaña developed an interest in music during his early years, and by age fourteen, he was a piano teacher. Raised in modest circumstances in the Flores neighborhood, he worked with his father, a shoe cobbler, until age 16. He began his career in music in his teens as a pianist in Oscar Espósito's orquesta típica, one of numerous such groups that performed tango music at the time, and also performed in the Chamamé folk genre.
Castaña became famous as a bolero singer during the 1970s, performing on Argentine television programs such as Tiempo Final and Un Cortado, among others. He authored numerous hits, including Me gusta, me gusta ("I like it, I like it"), Lo llaman el matador ("He's Nicknamed the Killer") and Hay que encontrar al ladrón ("The Thief Must be Found"), and his signature bolero: Para vivir un gran amor ("To Live a Great Love"). His lyrics became known for their extemporaneous and often autobiographical style, which he described as "writing as I would speak."
He is much better known, however, for his contributions to tango music: some of his compositions are considered classics by his fans, including Qué tango hay que cantar ("What Tango Must One Sing", with Rubén Juárez), Garganta con Arena ("Throat full of sand", an homage to Roberto Goyeneche, his mentor), "Tita de Buenos Aires", (Tita de Buenos Aires, dedicated to Tita Merello), A dónde vas? Quedate en Buenos Aires ("Where are you going? Stay in Buenos Aires"), and his ode to the Flores neighborhood: Café la Humedad. Castaña composed around 2,500 songs, of which 500 have been recorded. He produced 44 records, of which fifteen became gold records (over 20,000 sold, per CAPIF ratings), and ten, platinum (over 40,000 sold).
Castaña also starred in thirteen Argentine films, including two for which he wrote the score, El mundo que inventamos ("The World We Created", 1973) and Los hijos de López ("López's Sons", 1980); numerous picaresque comedies; and in Felicidades (2000). A confirmed bachelor for much of his life, his numerous relationships included one with Susana Giménez during the 1970s (Giménez would later become a top-rated talk show hostess in Argentina). He ultimately married Andrea Sblano, the 27-year-old daughter of a close friend, in 2006; among his other close friends was former President Carlos Menem. His television appearances in later years included a cameo on the popular Argentine telenovela, Los Roldán. He earned a Konex Award in 2005 for his work as songwriter, and his tango album released that year, Espalda con espalda ("Shoulder to Shoulder") earned a Gardel Prize.He was invited to perform "with all the other monsters" in Leopoldo Federico's series, Selección Nacional de Tango Argentino (an event he considered "the happiest day of my life"), and was inducted into the National Academy of Tango in 2007.
Castaña's career declined during the 1990s, but rebounded after 2003, and he became active in Argentina's stage and festival circuit. He headlined numerous Corrientes Avenue shows, and was a regular performer in the National Peña Festival, in Villa María. A heavy smoker, he developed emphysema in later years, and was twice hospitalized as he prepared to appear in shows. He and his wife opened a children's clothing boutique, Las Castañitas.[8] Their marriage suffered, however, and they separated in 2011. He was again hospitalized following the separation, and made a speedy recovery.
After two weeks hospitalized, Cacho Castaña died on October 15, 2019.
Vida de artista
Cacho Castaña Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
mi foto en las tapa de alguna revistas.
Buscaba canciones sinceras
para que mi pueblo las pueda cantar.
Buscaba por los escenarios
los duendes que quedan después del aplauso
no quise tener el fracaso
Voy cantando y por dentro voy llorando,
voy perdiendo, cosas que yo nunca tengo.
Caminante, y de profesión cantante.
Envidiado por el éxito alcanzado.
Mujeres que suben a escena
se llevan mi foto me dejan la pena,
la pena de mi fantasía
que siempre esta lejos de la realidad.
Amores amantes y amigos
también compartieron mil noches conmigo
supieron de mi fantasía
pero no supieron de mi soledad.
Voy cantando y por dentro voy llorando,
voy perdiendo, cosas que yo nunca tengo.
Caminante, y de profesión cantante.
Envidiado por el éxito alcanzado.
A cambio de mi fantasía
deje que se fuera una noche Maria
no tuve la gran valentía
de cambiar mi sueño por su realidad.
Hoy siento que pasan los días
y solo quisiera que vuelva Maria
hoy quiero poner en sus manos
mi vida y mis sueños para comenzar.
Voy cantando y por dentro voy llorando,
voy perdiendo, cosas que yo nunca tengo.
Caminante, y de profesión cantante.
Envidiado por el éxito alcanzado.
Voy cantando y por dentro voy llorando,
voy perdiendo, cosas que yo nunca tengo.
Caminante, y de profesión cantante.
Envidiado por el éxito alcanzado...
The song "Vida de Artista" by Cacho Castaña tells the story of a singer who dreamed of success and recognition, but now finds himself feeling empty and unfulfilled despite his achievements. The lyrics are filled with longing and regrets as the singer reflects on his life and the sacrifices he had to make to pursue his dreams.
In the first verse, the singer talks about his dream of seeing his photo in magazines and writing songs that his people can sing along to. He believes that success will bring him happiness and fulfillment. However, as the song progresses, he realizes that success comes at a price.
The second verse describes the loneliness and disappointment that come with the life of an artist. The singer talks about the women who come and go, leaving him with only his fantasies and regrets. He also reflects on the friendships and lovers that he had to leave behind in order to pursue his dreams. Despite his success, he realizes that he has lost more than he has gained.
In the final verse, the singer expresses his desire to change and start a new life with Maria. He regrets letting her go and believes that she could be the key to his happiness. He is willing to give up his dreams in exchange for a chance at love and a meaningful life.
Overall, "Vida de Artista" is a powerful and emotional song that explores the highs and lows of the music industry and the toll it takes on artists.
Line by Line Meaning
Soñaba la vida de artista,
I dreamed of the life of an artist,
mi foto en las tapa de alguna revistas.
my photo on the cover of some magazines.
Buscaba canciones sinceras
I was looking for sincere songs
para que mi pueblo las pueda cantar.
so that my people can sing them.
Buscaba por los escenarios
I searched through the stages
los duendes que quedan después del aplauso
for the spirits that remain after the applause
no quise tener el fracaso
I did not want to have the failure
de aquellos que nunca pudieron llegar.
of those who could never succeed.
Voy cantando y por dentro voy llorando,
I sing and cry inside,
voy perdiendo, cosas que yo nunca tengo.
losing things that I never had.
Caminante, y de profesión cantante.
Walker, and by profession a singer.
Envidiado por el éxito alcanzado.
Envied for the success achieved.
Mujeres que suben a escena
Women who go on stage
se llevan mi foto me dejan la pena,
take my photo, leave me the pain,
la pena de mi fantasía
the pain of my fantasy
que siempre esta lejos de la realidad.
that is always far from reality.
Amores amantes y amigos
lovers, partners, and friends,
también compartieron mil noches conmigo
also shared a thousand nights with me
supieron de mi fantasía
they knew of my fantasy
pero no supieron de mi soledad.
but they did not know about my loneliness.
A cambio de mi fantasía
In exchange for my fantasy
deje que se fuera una noche Maria
I let Maria go one night
no tuve la gran valentía
I did not have the great bravery
de cambiar mi sueño por su realidad.
to change my dream for her reality.
Hoy siento que pasan los días
Today I feel that the days pass
y solo quisiera que vuelva Maria
and I just want Maria to come back
hoy quiero poner en sus manos
today I want to put in her hands
mi vida y mis sueños para comenzar.
my life and my dreams to start again.
Voy cantando y por dentro voy llorando,
I sing and cry inside,
voy perdiendo, cosas que yo nunca tengo.
losing things that I never had.
Caminante, y de profesión cantante.
Walker, and by profession a singer.
Envidiado por el éxito alcanzado.
Envied for the success achieved.
Voy cantando y por dentro voy llorando,
I sing and cry inside,
voy perdiendo, cosas que yo nunca tengo.
losing things that I never had.
Caminante, y de profesión cantante.
Walker, and by profession a singer.
Envidiado por el éxito alcanzado...
Envied for the success achieved...
Writer(s): Humberto Vicente Castagna
Contributed by Alyssa S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@joselgabriel2401
😢😢😢😢😢 voy cantando y por dentro estoy llorando caminante y de profesión cantante
@matiassem4481
QEPD.. otro grande que nos dejó para hacer poesía desde el cielo ... Gracias Cacho.!
@noemitorres6646
Hermosa, nunca la había escuchado 🎉 gran poeta y cantante q.e.p.d❤
@gastonlavayen6485
Ídolo, de los pocos que nos quedan!!!
@josesalinas3258
simplemente unico ..me siento muy identificado x su personalidad y x muchos de sus temas 💖..!
@carlosmarino8666
Dejo un lindo recuerdo en mi vida....gracias cacho!!!!!
@sergiomanfredi1601
Cacho castaña grande descanse paz
@fabricioschneider1016
Envidiado por el éxito alcanzado por eso muchos te pegan cacho
@nancyquilpatay8904
UN CANTA-AUTOR DE LA OSTIA !!! INOLVIDABLE !!!
@vladimirrodriguez7926
Aprendiendo del maestro ❤😌