Tango music evolved from the 4/4 upbeat, cheerful milonga, which is not only the name of a social dance where people tango, but also a lively type of music and dance related to tango. While some scholars claim the milonga beat derived from music of the African Congo, others say it is from an ancient Spanish song with Arabic influence from the Moors stretch in Andalusia.  The Cuban sailors disembarked in Buenos Aires with another dance and music, the habanera, which layered another, slower rhythm over the 4/4. The habanera is a derivative of the French contredanse, brought to Cuba by French plantation owners fleeing the slave rebellion in what is now Haiti.  Then Opera arrived via Italian immigrants along with Germans toting the bulky, accordion-like bandoneon; the gauchos, or cowboys of the pampas came to town with their folk music and foot stomping syncopation. At the ports of Buenos Aires, tango evolved with each new arrival.

But even as the music became more complicated, the lyrics stayed ribald, chronicling sexual conquests, championing dancing skills and unfettered bravado. These early comedic bards had not yet lost their innocence and knew nothing of a broken heart.  That would come later with Carlos Gardel. (From Hold Me Tight and Tango Me Home)