This New Yorker's poignant tale of an abused child brought a dose of social awareness to the upper reaches of the pop charts. Vega made her second and final chart visit thanks to an initially unauthorized remix of a three-year-old song about her favorite Manhattan greasy-spoon eatery, a place soon to be even better known from being featured in 'Seinfeld' episodes.
The Tom's Diner of the song is NOT the one on the Seinfeld show, but rather the one on Washington Avenue in Prospect Heights, two blocks from the Brooklyn Museum. Famously protected by the neighbors when the neighborhood erupted after the assassination of MLK, this is the real true Tom's Diner of Ms. Vega's song.
That particular album ,"Solitude Standing" , is superb...even 20 years later it holds up...she's the difference between a pop-musician and an artist. She being the latter.
I love Suzanne Vega. She is a wonderful poet! Solitude Standing and 99.9 degrees are my two favorite albums of hers. She is one of my top 5 favorite songwriters/performers of all time!
I saw her in a club show in support of her first album. Her rendition of Gypsy was forever burned in my memory during that show. Too bad radio is still under the payola game that we never really get to hear everyones efforts.
I have loved 'Tom's Diner' since I was 4 years old.... Suzanne Vega is amazing, and JustSomeLady, you're right, the fact that that song is still such a 'classic' is a testament to her artistic force.
Nope. Suzanne Vega never hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her song "Blood Makes Noise" went to #1 on the Modern Rock tracks chart, but I believe the writers of this "Two-Hit Wonders" entry were only including songs that reached the Top 40 section of the Hot 100.
Neutral
kgkolpaskyat 6-01-2008
if you like the music from the 1980' check out this website www.earlyxer.com It has some really cool photos of stuff from the 70's and 80's!
Reader Comments(1 of 3)
Marcat 6-01-2008
This is incorrect. Suzanne Vega also had a big hit with "Left of Center" making her a THREE hit wonder.
Dreolinat 6-01-2008
I am a Huge Suzanne Vega fan and I am pretty sure Left of Center was never a "big hit" at least not in the US.
MusicMom123at 6-01-2008
YEP ! Left of Center was what first popped into my mind too ! :D That was from Pretty in Pink. YAY !
JustSomeLadyat 6-01-2008
I was thinking of her song from The Truth About Cats and Dogs, "Caramel."
Boat 6-01-2008
The Tom's Diner of the song is NOT the one on the Seinfeld show, but rather the one on Washington Avenue in Prospect Heights, two blocks from the Brooklyn Museum. Famously protected by the neighbors when the neighborhood erupted after the assassination of MLK, this is the real true Tom's Diner of Ms. Vega's song.
Mason younGat 6-01-2008
That particular album ,"Solitude Standing" , is superb...even 20 years later it holds up...she's the difference between a pop-musician and an artist. She being the latter.
stephjtat 6-01-2008
I thought the pic was of Macaulay Culkin!
cardvldg1986at 5-08-2009
who the hell is Suzanne Vega anyway, she musta been playing and singing while I was sleeping.
Deanwrdat 7-22-2009
LOL @ Macaulay Culkin. Too funny.
RoWyNat 6-01-2008
Mason Young, I agree with u 100%. That album remains a classic. She was the equivalent of Tori Amos or Aimee Mann during her era.
amyat 6-01-2008
I love Suzanne Vega. She is a wonderful poet! Solitude Standing and 99.9 degrees are my two favorite albums of hers. She is one of my top 5 favorite songwriters/performers of all time!
melat 6-01-2008
Tom's Diner is my least favorite song of all-time.
jamesat 6-01-2008
Uhm I just looked at the lyrics of Tom's diner how the hell is that story about an abused girl???? It talks about her drinking coffe
tonyat 2-02-2010
Luka, you retard
ericm61635at 6-01-2008
I saw her in a club show in support of her first album. Her rendition of Gypsy was forever burned in my memory during that show. Too bad radio is still under the payola game that we never really get to hear everyones efforts.
Eric
Kelso Horrorat 6-01-2008
What about "Blood Makes Noise"?
Lisaat 6-01-2008
I have loved 'Tom's Diner' since I was 4 years old.... Suzanne Vega is amazing, and JustSomeLady, you're right, the fact that that song is still such a 'classic' is a testament to her artistic force.
Marcat 6-01-2008
Left of Center wasn't just a hit....making 3....it was also her 1st hit. Whomever wrote this article messed this one up twice :-)
qapla5at 8-14-2008
Nope. Suzanne Vega never hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Her song "Blood Makes Noise" went to #1 on the Modern Rock tracks chart, but I believe the writers of this "Two-Hit Wonders" entry were only including songs that reached the Top 40 section of the Hot 100.
kgkolpaskyat 6-01-2008
if you like the music from the 1980' check out this website www.earlyxer.com It has some really cool photos of stuff from the 70's and 80's!