written by Suzanne Vega

produced by Steve Addabbo and Lenny Kaye

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I’m making this page July 11th, 2021, the 62nd birthday of singer

and songwriter Suzanne Nadine Vega. Happy Birthday, SV!!

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Suzanne’s from Santa Monica, California, born into several

different fractions of heritage (her mom was Swedish and German, while her dad was English, Scottish and Irish). She moved with her family to New York City at two, studying dance in high school and English lit in college, around the time she began writing songs and performing in the Village.

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1984 brought Suzanne her first recording contract, with Alpert & Moss Records—or A&M for short. The following year introduced her to the world with her eponymous debut. It was well-received, despite its performing modestly commercially. She and producer Steve Addabbo wrote the song “Left Of Center” for the upcoming teen romance film Pretty In Pink, which dropped early 1986.

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Suzanne peaked in ’87 with sophomore album Solitude Standing. It included as singles the title song, “Gypsy,” the minor a capella hit “Tom’s Diner,” and the song covered on this page. Solitude Standing charted well everywhere, reaching #1 in Sweden and New Zealand, with “Luka” being the most globally successful single. It reached as high as #3 in the US. It also features backing vocals by a very young pre-famous Shawn “Sunny Came Home” Colvin.

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“Luka” is a powerfully socially conscious song. Suzanne wanted to touch down on a sensitive subject no one had written about before, and she found it in the form of child abuse. She actually wrote the song a few years before, in 1984—about the time of obtaining her record deal. She watched a group of children playing, noticing one who seemed aloof and distant from the group. She realized later it was because he was abused. She decided this issue needed exposure. The fact that the song performed as well as it did and remains to this day arguably Suzanne’s biggest hit proves the mass markets’ approval. Your heart is tenderly tugged at by the semi-ominous chord progression and heartbreaking lyrics.

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1990 brought Suzanne back into the spotlight when British electronic outfit DNA equipped “Tom’s Diner” with an addictive backing dance track. Suzanne’s following albums came semi-sporadically through the next three decades, most recently with Lover, Beloved: Songs From An Evening With Carson McCullers in fall 2016. Like lots of artists starting out generations ago, she’s introduced herself to whole new legions of fans, gone through a few contract changes, and now survives on the support of ardent fans rather than commercial acclaim.

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Have notes to add? Let me know!

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YT:

full version

music video

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Suzanne’s official website