[Tango] Famous Tango Songs: Recommended Popular Tracks

Black Cat TangoNEW!Mario Pagano

Osamu Minagawa – Black Cat Tango

Composed by Mario Pagano, who was active in the postwar Italian popular music scene, this work became a children’s song beloved around the world.

It was performed at the 11th Zecchino d’Oro in March 1969 and is characterized by its lively rhythm and charming vocals.

In Japan, adapted lyrics drew great attention, with sales reaching 2.6 million copies.

The song humorously portrays a child’s dissatisfaction at being given an animal of a different color than the one they wanted, using witty lyrics and a catchy melody.

The original song, “Volevo un gatto nero,” has a comical worldview that can be enjoyed across generations.

With a nostalgic, instantly singable familiarity, it’s also a recommended track for those encountering tango for the first time.

Symphonic Dances: II. TangoNEW!Fukuda Yosuke

Symphonic Dances – 2.Tango (2006) by Yosuke Fukuda

Among the many wind band works by composer Yosuke Fukuda, one piece that enjoys especially fervent support is this work from the suite Symphonic Dance.

Commissioned by the JASDF Central Air Band and composed in 2006, it pursues a gritty, razor‑edged Argentine passion rather than elegance.

The contrast between the alto saxophone’s melancholic melody and the knife‑like sharpness of the rhythms is breathtaking.

In May 2007, it was also released on CD in a performance by the Philharmonic Winds Osaka, and it has been loved beyond the confines of the wind band world.

For those seeking dramatic development and fiercely soul‑stirring music, this is an irresistible piece.

LibertangoÁstor Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla-Libertango

A quintessential tango piece: the immensely famous Libertango by Astor Piazzolla.

Its aggressively intense character is worlds apart from traditional Argentine and Continental tango, yet its undeniable power convinces you it is still, unmistakably, tango.

Once it reaches your ears, you can’t help but be transfixed.

Piazzolla created a new form of tango infused with elements of classical music and jazz, and Libertango has become the piece most synonymous with his name.

Gunshots and DiamondsNEW!itō keisuke

Gunshots and Diamonds

This piece layers a glossy bandoneon with taut, high-strung violins.

Composed by Keisuke Ito of the game music studio noisycroak, it was created as the theme song for the PSP title “Guns, Voice, and Diamonds,” released in June 2009.

Reflecting the game’s focus on “negotiation,” it’s a tango-style number that blends the tense, second-by-second psychological mind games with an adult, seductive allure.

As the musical face of a classic that earned Gold Hall of Fame honors in Weekly Famitsu’s Cross Review, it underpinned the entire play experience.

A must-listen for those who enjoy thrilling back-and-forths or seek urban, sophisticated music.

Thine eyes of blackNEW!Florian Hermann

“Thine Black Eyes” — Yoichi Sugawara & Alfred Hause

Florian Hermann, a German composer active in the Russian Empire in the late 19th century, left behind elegant salon music.

This famous piece, which spread in March 1884 with newly added lyrics, is based on his original waltz “Hommage.” Its world of wistful melodies and passionate development has been cherished across a wide range of genres, including tango and jazz.

Solidified as a global staple after the renowned bass Fyodor Chaliapin made it one of his signature numbers, it has often been used in films and television to evoke an exotic atmosphere.

It remains a timeless song—perfect for evenings when you want to feel old-fashioned romance or immerse yourself in deep emotion.

Spain (Six Albumblatts) 2. Tango in D majorNEW!Isaac Albeniz

Albeniz / Tango in D major, pf. Vincenzo Balzani

We present a masterpiece among piano miniatures by the genius who laid the foundations of the Spanish national school.

Marked by elegant, mellifluous melodies, it invites you to surrender to its unhurried rhythm, conjuring images of Spain—passionate yet tinged with melancholy.

This piece is the second number from the suite España, premiered in London in June 1890 by Isaac Albéniz, famed as a child prodigy.

Beyond the original piano version, it is widely loved in various forms, including arrangements for guitar and Malcolm Arnold’s orchestration.

Although originally part of a six-piece set, its accessibility has made it frequently performed on its own.

It’s a perfect selection for those wishing to spend a calm, sophisticated evening.

NocturnaNEW!Julián Plaza

Anibal Troilo – 1963 – Nocturna

Despite a name that evokes the stillness of night, “Nocturna” stands out for its buoyant rhythm.

It blends the urban sophistication characteristic of Julián Plaza with the snappy tempo unique to milonga, making it a track that sets listeners’ hearts dancing.

Contrary to its title, the piece is structured with an energy that seems to wrap the dance floor in heat.

Recorded by the maestro Aníbal Troilo’s orchestra in August 1961, it remains beloved and undimmed more than half a century later.

Julián Plaza also worked on music for films such as La tregua, and that cinematic sensibility comes through in this composition as well.

It’s a recommended work for those who, when night falls, want to immerse themselves in a passionate mood.