The tango enjoys a long, but not always straightforward, history. Although its exact origins are unknown, historians figured that the tango was born in the 1880s in Buenos Aires. The city of Buenos Aires was the desire of many European immigrants, and many of them were from the lower social strata.
They arrived in Buenos Aires without their families and wives; thus, the local brothels helped them to forget their loneliness. The men passed the time with prostitutes and waitresses. They danced with them and had fun with them. The dancing was passionate and aggressive; driven desperation and desire.
Small bands began to play melodies to the dance. The tunes were influenced by African Candombe drums, Spanish and Italian songs and the milonga songs of the Pampa. Vocals were added, which were about feelings, life in the neighborhood and betrayal of women and mothers.
The high society frowned upon the tango because it was regarded as vulgar. Of course, there were a few young men from the upper class who refused to follow restrictions. They learned to dance the tango and introduced it in Paris. There, the sensual dance turned immediately into a cult.
It was played in cafes, danced in bars, and people finally found a way to express their emotions and desires. Not long afterward, the tango wave swept from Europe into the United States. 1913 was the year of the tango, and it was then when it was socially acceptable. In the same year, the tango returned to Buenos Aires, where its golden era began.