The life of my beloved Uruguayan singer-songwriter, Alfredo Zitarrosa, it would take a while to tell it because of the vicissitudes it had to go through. At another time I will go a little deeper. Now I want to focus on your song “Stefanie”, which was published on the 1977 album, “Black Guitar”, edited in Spain.
Because in Spain?, you will think. Simply put, his militancy on the left had as a consequence the veto in his native country and also in Argentina and Chile, where he was also moving. These countries were going through times of harsh dictatorships and, in Argentina and Chile, specifically, the repression was fierce.
The origin of the song also has its "crumb". With hardly any work due to the repressive situation, Carlos Bouzas his representative, gets him some gigs in Brazil, where he goes with his guitarists. Upon return from Brazil, Carlos, which walked just like Zitarrose going through hardships, he asks for his commission.
Bouzas, explains how he got the performances in Brazil, what happened upon the return of Alfred and her conversation with him:
The opportunity arose for a contract for Alfredo and three guitarists to perform in San Pablo. Alfredo insisted that he fight for one more ticket, for me, as his representative, and in that way leave Argentina, return and have the tourist visa again. It was not possible. Only 4 tickets, stay in a good hotel, and above all, payment in advance when you arrive in Brazil. It was very good money, for 4 performances. And the commission would allow me to somewhat improve my sad economy.
'Flaco' returned happy. That Monday we talked at length in his apartment. He summarized the Brazilian situation, in contrast to that of Uruguay and Argentina, as much more open and less repressive. You can do things, artistic and some political.
Already finishing the conversation, I became interested in the money, in my commission.
"Ah, Carlitos, I didn't bring a peso, nor a dollar."
"But, 'Flaco', didn't they pay you in advance?" I asked him.
"Yes, yes," he answered half hesitantly. He put down the mate, poured himself a whiskey and started:
«On Saturday, before the second performance that night, I felt very, very low. In the hotel bar I ordered a drink, then another, and suddenly a woman of exceptional beauty appears in front of me. I buy her a drink, we talk, we go up to my room. And I fell madly in love. I suggested traveling to Buenos Aires. Live together. Get married. They knocked on my room door to make my second entrance. Nothing mattered to me anymore. He had discovered love again. And it demolished me, Carlitos, it demolished me. She told me that she wasn't going anywhere, that she was doing it for money.
I joined. I squeezed the bills, yours and mine, I threw them over his head, even with hatred. She gathered them together, one by one, greeted them with her wonderful head, and in silence she left the room. But Carlitos, be patient, your dollars will reappear. I have a song in my head that is going to do very well, I'm sure, and it will be called 'Stefanie.'"
This is how the song came about. A exceptional song in spite of the bitterness Y loneliness what it entails and where Alfred he gets naked in this heartbreaking story of heartbreak. This performance is recorded live in 1986:
Stéfanie, there is no pain more excruciating than being happy. You said last night: "óuvi me, please, kiss me here." Stéfanie, I know that your heart "fala yi mi". And that is pain, Stéfanie… Stéfanie, I was alone yesterday and today too but the perfume of your skin has remained in my bed. I see you leave, run down the hotel corridor: life is cruel, Stéfanie… Stéfanie, there is a dark shadow behind you; Of your tenderness, I remember the blue-turquoise look, the warm feet, your words of love in Portuguese, but not to you, Stéfanie... Be braver; Let me know if the color of your hair will survive among people, Stéfanie... You must live the loneliness that you go out to sell; Be more of a woman, Stéfanie... Stéfanie, I don't love you either, but your love, for money, has forgotten the worker and the master. This song that asks about you, who hasn't slept, is pure oblivion… Stéfanie…!
Precisions:
“Ouvi me, please” (Listen to me, please)
“mim's fala” (Talk about me)
Transcription of the conversation extract between Alfredo Zitarrosa Y Carlos Bouzas
credits in the song:
Lyrics, composition, guitar and voice: Alfredo Zitarrosa
Guitars: D. Velasquez, José L. Peñamaría, Julio Amaya, Y. Palacios
Orchestra conducted by: Horacio Icasto
“Stefanie”, song contained on the LP “Black Guitar” movieplay, 1977
