This playlist has been put together for you to listen to while reading Hold Me Tight and Tango Me Home.

The playlist, like the book, starts with “Volver” by Carlos Gardel, the man whose voice relayed the laments of a million sorrows and immeasurable heartbreak. There are also classic tangos by greats like Anibal Troilo, Osvaldo Pugliese and Francisco Carnaro. It is said that the rhythm of tango music is set to the beating of a human heart. These songs I came to know as I blundered my way through beginner’s class and waited for leader’s to ask me to dance. Of course Libertango by Astor Piazzolla is included. In many of his later compositions the tango rhythm is vague and difficult to dance to because of the jazz and classical riffs but Libertango is highly danceable.

At most milongas, or tango social dances, you often hear classic tangos, sharp, fast milongas, and romantic vals. But there are also lots of nuevo or neo tango venues. Popular nuevo groups like Gotan Project and Otro Aires are well known mixing electronica music in with a tango rhythm. Tom Waits has a tango song that’s fun, and the version of Roxanne from the film Moulin Rouge is highly dramatic. Unfortunately, some of the tangos by Turkish singer, Seyyan Hanim or Pyotr Leshchenko, also known as The King of Russian tango, and tangos from Finland I would have loved to include, but they weren’t available for this playlist, but I urge you to seek these out if you can. Read an Excerpt from the Book Here.