Mar 23, 2016

"I'm Afraid the Masquerade is Over" and "El Dia Que Me Quieras"

"I'm Afraid the Masquerade is Over" (1938) is one of the great "Golden Age" ballads. The music is by Allie Wrubel, and lyrics by Herbert Magidson. Here's a perfect performance by Sarah Vaughan:




I heard this next tune a few days ago on a PBS channel - "El Dia Que Me Quieras," a classic tango written by Carlos Gardel for the 1935 movie of the same name. The version I heard was a live performance, played by Astor Piazzola on bandoneon. I couldn't find that clip on YouTube, but this one is nearly as good:




Kind of similar?  The movie opened in New York in 1935. I suppose it's possible that Wrubel heard Gardel's tune and used the melody as a basis for "Masquerade," knowingly or unknowingly.

Even if you think this is a stretch, these are some pretty great songs!