Dance: Advanced Tango Fever, the Symptoms and Prescription

Last night at a milonga (social Argentine Tango party), we were talking about Tango song lyrics.

Many Tango songs sing about yearning, loss, lament, broken heart､frustration, resentment, .....

Much of them are negative feelings associated with lost or unfulfilled love, or frustration of being in a weaker side and possible resentment against the strong that is often imaginary. 

Philosophers called it the "Ressentiment" in French.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ressentiment


So, what would happen if someone catches the Tango Fever, becomes a Tango addict and lets these songs flow in to his head without regard?

Assuming he/she understands the lyrics, it would be like letting simulated emotions pouring in his head. It would affect his/her heart.

The person would become emotional and irrational, possibly even unreasonable. Some mood swings may be observed. It's not unlike being in love, but he/she may not know it was caused by Tango song overdose rather than real love. The person might act like a creep or a stalker. He/she might start acting like crazy.


Does that sound familiar? If so, you may be overdosing yourself with Tango, letting Tango dictate you, and losing your mind.

It is not a healthy state. You may be a nuisance to others already.


These are symptoms of advanced Tango Fever. Like any other disease, awareness, recognition and proper diagnosis are critical for initiating the treatments.

Prescription is a gradual reduction of Tango songs with lyrics. Lyrics is a main component of emotions-inciting effect of the music. Replace songs with lyrics with instrumental Tango songs.

Or if possible, with songs in different categories.

Going cold turkey is ineffective against the music taken root in your head. You have to aim at gradually replacing it.

However, it may be difficult to immediately come back to, say, Bach or Mozart.

Tango fever works like an infectious disease similar to viral infection. There are acute phase and latent phase, as well as occasional re-flaming. Addictive personality may provide a preferable host environment. You may not be able to eradicate it, but controlling it is the key to have a healthy mental and social life. 



Note 1: Tango Fever is contagious, and often the partner is infected as well. In the case, both may need treatments.

Note 2: One thing about the advanced Tango Fever is that the patients may not want to be cured and refuse treatments.