Tango started out as a popular dance accompanied by a distinct musical background. After time, the music itself as well as the lyrical content came to the fore without overshadowing the original choreography of the dance which is characterized by a tight hold between the couple dancing and sensual and complex steps. 

With the development of the orquestra, Tango continued to develop from its popular dance origins to a more lyrically defined genre capturing notable poetic sentiments. Comical, dramatic, humorous and prosy elements were and are very common to this genre, particularly in Tangos from the 1940’s era. The songs tend to focus on romantic relationships, rural peasantry, life in the city, society, satire and even philosophy. A large part of the vocabulary heard in Tango illustrates the diversity of different traditional cultural influences. What once started as a musical tradition with its roots in the working class slowly began to appeal to more and more audiences of all social strata and social class.

In the beginning, Tango was traditionally played with only a flute, guitar and violin. As time passed, the sextet became the dominant structure, otherwise known as the typical orquestra. The sextet would include but was not limited to: a pianist, two bandoneóns, two violins and a double bass. The large accordion also known as the bandoneón did not become the principal sound in Tango until the late 20th century, despite being the emblematic sound synonymous with the genre as it is today.

An authentic product of the cultural mixings of the region, Tango was born in the second half of the 19th century,  only a few decades after both countries were part of the same viceroyalty. Immigrants were constantly arriving and outnumbered those born in the region. In 2009, the mystic musical genre was presented to UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage on behalf of both countries making it truly a product from both sides of the river delta.

Tango is primarily an urban musical expression known around the world for its sensual dance elements. Tango began to spread internationally accompanied by its artists as they travelled far and wide. Different variations of Tango began to develop in foreign countries like Finland whose city of Seinajöki continues to be the third capital of Tango outside of Montevideo and Buenos Aires.

This particular Tango was debuted on a corner in Montevideo by the artist Gerardo Mattos Rodriguez and has since become an iconic piece used in countless movies and covered by different artists from all over the world. However, Uruguay has around 17,000 Tango songs in its registry - produced by hundreds of poets, musicians and dancers who have written, created and interpreted the musical tradition of both sides of the River Plate – many of which have travelled the world.