I don't know if this is just because this song is so 80's or because it's a reflection of my youth. But it still gives me goosebumps so many years after hearing it first (I was 19 in '86). Looking around me, I see young, intelligent, full of life people in their twenties still in the complete spirit of this song. Struggling radiantly with life. Hungering for beauty, love, understanding. And then I see people my age "knowing it all by now", having lost so much of that charm of youth, of open eyes, open hands, of willingness to discover things you haven't run into yet. They "know". This song still reflects the way I live my life: not knowing shit but discovering, discovering, discovering how great and flawed I am at the same time , and all people around me the same. Wisdom comes from realising: we don't know _shit_ and that means we can discover and be passionate about our discoveries. Even Marlena on the wall doesn't now shit, she just recognises a fellow not-knower, and she's just one step ahead in the game of knowing that not-knowing is where everything is at. Marlena's smile isn't "I see through you", it's: "yup, I've been there, still no clue, but one day you'll see too that having a clue is worthless in the next situation. So better don't have any clues.". This song is how many of us pass our youth until we get to a certain age and we start priding ourselves on our life experience. That's the moment when the sparks in our eyes start fading. The only thing I gained from getting older is seeing so much clearly how so many young people have truth and wisdom in them so much more then so many older people, because they still enjoy trying, discovering and learning. A few exceptions amongst us old people. Suzanne Vega being one. Age is not just a number. It's also a fight against complacency. But it's worth fighting it in your own way. Marlena supports you from the wall.
The studio version of this song, is one of the clearest and most succinct voices I think I have ever heard on a recording. Just beautiful, live or studio versions.
I was at this gig. Fantastic performance in a fantastic venue. Everyone should experience a performance at the Royal Albert Hall at least once in their lives.
I too was at this gig, not my normal gig at he time, I was at a transvision vamp gig in Brixton the day before, but this was a spell binding and awesome gig, it changed the way I listened to music and in a way as a music fan I grew up at that gig.... Still think Suzanne is brilliant and still in love with her music..... She has a natural beauty ...
First time hearing this and w love it ! Amazing how she switches between narration, being the character and commenting on the situation so clearly. Great performance, amazing writing.
That's where I found her I was only about 12-13 and probably shouldn't have been up but my Mum was a single working mother who was in bed by 9pm and could sleep through a war. I wasn't allowed TV in my room and the TV was only on for a few hours a day so I used to sneak downstairs and watch stuff like Prisoner Cell Block Hand discovered Suzanne Vega. To her credit, my mother allowed me as much music as I wanted and we could afford at the time.
I remember it perfectly adam. late night in concert at the bbc with annie nightingale. A great but sadly short lived show. I have followed suzanne vega ever since. From one disciple to another, great memories,
@electricchurchmusic4298 Since you gave me a like,here's one that you might want to check out just before the 80's decade 1979 to be more specific. Stevie Wonder's song and instrumental to go along with the song. You might want to check out the instrumental first to get you in the mood as it's just marvelous to listen to alone, not even including the song itself. Stevie Wonder (Send one your Love). Enjoy and give me your opinion afterwards.👍
I have the complete concert from 1986 at the Royal Albert Hall, London. And it showcases Suzanne at the height of her career. I have been a fan of hers since those early years back in the late 80's. I really love her early stuff, not too keen on some of her later techno based tracks. Having said that, her acoustic stuff is wonderful, I love her "Up Close" four disc collection, in which she has stripped some of her best work right back to her basic acoustic roots. Its ultimate chill out music for me.
The 80's was the last best decade for diversity in pop hits. I didn't realize how good things were back then. I wish I could get in a time machine and never come back. These are the people who were and who should be the leaders of hit songs, and not so much Swift. 👍
.ruclips.net/video/V81Jk5-2w-Y/видео.html is de orgn,1986 zo heb ik haar leren kennen/horen. ze heeft wel wat van jou stijl van zingen. grandioos vond er er toen al goed yori volgens mij was het toen ook een hit in de top ga door op deze weg. Sucses je oom Theo. ga door zo yory
She was open to everything musically. I heard her speak at the YMHA . She grew up in Spanish Harlem (unusual ), attended a magnet school for aspiring performing artists. She then attended Barnatd College in NYC (a school of smart, pretty intense women) and simultaneously hung out with Lou Reed. She said punk did not interest her but it seems mire logical that hip hop would. Thank you for the observation.
So here I am at 61, remembering when this album came out and I sang these lyrics as I walked to class. Oh, youth is definitely wasted on the young.
I don't know if this is just because this song is so 80's or because it's a reflection of my youth. But it still gives me goosebumps so many years after hearing it first (I was 19 in '86). Looking around me, I see young, intelligent, full of life people in their twenties still in the complete spirit of this song. Struggling radiantly with life. Hungering for beauty, love, understanding. And then I see people my age "knowing it all by now", having lost so much of that charm of youth, of open eyes, open hands, of willingness to discover things you haven't run into yet. They "know".
This song still reflects the way I live my life: not knowing shit but discovering, discovering, discovering how great and flawed I am at the same time , and all people around me the same. Wisdom comes from realising: we don't know _shit_ and that means we can discover and be passionate about our discoveries. Even Marlena on the wall doesn't now shit, she just recognises a fellow not-knower, and she's just one step ahead in the game of knowing that not-knowing is where everything is at. Marlena's smile isn't "I see through you", it's: "yup, I've been there, still no clue, but one day you'll see too that having a clue is worthless in the next situation. So better don't have any clues.".
This song is how many of us pass our youth until we get to a certain age and we start priding ourselves on our life experience. That's the moment when the sparks in our eyes start fading.
The only thing I gained from getting older is seeing so much clearly how so many young people have truth and wisdom in them so much more then so many older people, because they still enjoy trying, discovering and learning.
A few exceptions amongst us old people. Suzanne Vega being one.
Age is not just a number. It's also a fight against complacency. But it's worth fighting it in your own way. Marlena supports you from the wall.
I just rediscoverd this song on a recent camping trip. It is without doubt, utterly beautiful and beguiling..🤔
A curious friend back in '85 was surprised I'd never heard of Suzanne Vega and as a result gave to me the cassette of this first album. So grateful.
The studio version of this song, is one of the clearest and most succinct voices I think I have ever heard on a recording. Just beautiful, live or studio versions.
She's speaks as beautifully as she sings. I love this!!
Ich bin 72 spiele Gitarre und liebe diese Künstlerin
Am besten find i my Name is Luka
One of the best songs ever, it has stood the the test of time 35 years later. Thanks Suzanne.
I was at this gig. Fantastic performance in a fantastic venue. Everyone should experience a performance at the Royal Albert Hall at least once in their lives.
I saw Leonard Bernstein conduct a Stravinsky concert at Royal Albert Hall in 1972.
I too was at this gig, not my normal gig at he time, I was at a transvision vamp gig in Brixton the day before, but this was a spell binding and awesome gig, it changed the way I listened to music and in a way as a music fan I grew up at that gig.... Still think Suzanne is brilliant and still in love with her music..... She has a natural beauty ...
Really Robert ?
saw the The there 2 years ago and I have to agree. Fantastic venue made better by the comeback tour from a man that hadn’t performed in 17 years
Saw Elvis Costello there in 1987, will never forget it.
I discovered Suzanne Vega at the age of 12-13 yrs old when I saw her playing a gig on TV and it was this song. I fell in love.
I've always loved this song. ❤
A rare and pure talent at their best.
This is almost better than the album version.
Wonderful version, great intro, and smashing guitar fills and solo by Marc Shulman.
A Gentle Giant?
I was thinking wasn't it Marlene Dietrich poster on her bedroom wall.
First time hearing this and w love it ! Amazing how she switches between narration, being the character and commenting on the situation so clearly.
Great performance, amazing writing.
I'm a metal,rock man,but Suzanne was music for my soul
LICK!
is still music for the soul
I was 16 when this was shown on tv late one night in England. I was enchanted, was in love with her and with her music from that point on
That's where I found her I was only about 12-13 and probably shouldn't have been up but my Mum was a single working mother who was in bed by 9pm and could sleep through a war. I wasn't allowed TV in my room and the TV was only on for a few hours a day so I used to sneak downstairs and watch stuff like Prisoner Cell Block Hand discovered Suzanne Vega. To her credit, my mother allowed me as much music as I wanted and we could afford at the time.
I remember it perfectly adam. late night in concert at the bbc with annie nightingale. A great but sadly short lived show. I have followed suzanne vega ever since. From one disciple to another, great memories,
I've always loved the drums in this. Fits the song perfectly.
Great artist. Saw her once in New York City. Great concert
Suave voz y excelente canción,el sello inconfundible de Suzanne.
Lovely....this song meant [back in the day] and means so much to me still.Many thanks for posting.x
'meant............' what?
I saw her last week ago in the Netherlands and i loved it so much! She looks great!
last week.............ago
I was there too! What an incredible concert, happy memories :)
Buenissima......
Outstanding
The 80's was the last great decade for music.
@electricchurchmusic4298 Since you gave me a like,here's one that you might want to check out just before the 80's decade 1979 to be more specific. Stevie Wonder's song and instrumental to go along with the song. You might want to check out the instrumental first to get you in the mood as it's just marvelous to listen to alone, not even including the song itself. Stevie Wonder (Send one your Love). Enjoy and give me your opinion afterwards.👍
She seems to have written this song for me to like it in the future, I wasn't paying attention at the time, but now... I just can't get enough of it.
Utterly fantastic. Wish I’d seen her live. Superb song , very original.
My all time fave song
One word to describe
Brilliant
Beautiful Performance!
Brilliant song!
I have the complete concert from 1986 at the Royal Albert Hall, London. And it
showcases Suzanne at the height of her career. I have been a fan of hers since
those early years back in the late 80's. I really love her early stuff, not too keen
on some of her later techno based tracks. Having said that, her acoustic stuff is
wonderful, I love her "Up Close" four disc collection, in which she has stripped
some of her best work right back to her basic acoustic roots. Its ultimate chill
out music for me.
Techno lol That must have passed me by
And 35 years just disappeared 🙏🏻
With the way the so-called music industry is nowadays, I would dissappear too. Hahaha 😊
Fantastic
What a sexy speaking voice. This is my late mom’s jam. Love this song. Miss you mom.
Timeless, a true classic !
BELLISSIMA!!!!!
I saw her performing in Tel Aviv,Israel and she was wonderful,although there was only her and one awesome base player
Oh yes, 2015 at heichal hatarbut was magical. Loved her little anecdotes.
what did the bass player base his playing on?
She is lovely & sharp.
Yet strangely smooth
Wonderful. Nothing else needs to be said.
Ah, perfectly constructed solo there from Marc. Brilliant songwriting.
Amazing!!
love. takes me back to 87
she was so adorable
Lubię tę piosenkę!
Remenicances ❤😊
The 80's was the last best decade for diversity in pop hits. I didn't realize how good things were back then. I wish I could get in a time machine and never come back. These are the people who were and who should be the leaders of hit songs, and not so much Swift. 👍
Она была в Минске!
Haunting song so original🎼
What a great band...
Hermosa! Da ganas de llevarla a casa!
Brilliant
Such a pure looking woman and a great singer.
I was there too :)
fab song...... always have been ...
has
.ruclips.net/video/V81Jk5-2w-Y/видео.html
is de orgn,1986 zo heb ik haar leren kennen/horen.
ze heeft wel wat van jou stijl van zingen. grandioos
vond er er toen al goed yori
volgens mij was het toen ook een hit in de top
ga door op deze weg. Sucses
je oom Theo.
ga door zo yory
3:16 honey i shrunk the kids!
Hubert Chodeweenkie Yes! I always thought he looked like Rick Moranis!
Hubert Chodeweenkie no it’s Barney Rubble
steve hackett solo in this ...?...would be savage..
Excellent...I question though; very seriously the intent of the purple lighting, it's origins and it's group. The best advice...'When in doubt...'
Good song 👌😉
looks like Rick Moranis is playing lead guitar!
Teen crush.
Swift could learn something from this. Don't you wish you could get in a time machine and never come back?
If that is true? Why were you not playing both guitar and bass with her at TRAH London?
She seems to be happy with them...ya think?
d;o)
Rick Moranis on guitar??? 😁
When I was 15, I loved this song so much I hung a poster of Marlene Dietrich on my wall.
only if I were like Marlena
She does a great job - but I'm afraid I much prefer the original guitar solo rather than the somewhat improvised version here.
weve all heard the album, its nice to see him do that one live
Wdym it was fire as fuck
Asmr музыка 😜
0:45
That guitarist is a strange cat !
素晴らしい
Suzanne is living in NYC in 1985/86, and I'm wondering how much influence hip hop phrasing has on this song? I guess she is rapping a bit?
She was open to everything musically. I heard her speak at the YMHA . She grew up in Spanish Harlem (unusual ), attended a magnet school for aspiring performing artists. She then attended Barnatd College in NYC (a school of smart, pretty intense women) and simultaneously hung out with Lou Reed. She said punk did not interest her but it seems mire logical that hip hop would. Thank you for the observation.
Not influenced by Hip Hop and Call Sign Vega Bosnia and Saint John’s has no connection to connection to trashy music.
She starts singing at 1: 45 to save you wasting nearly 2 minutes listening to her talking crap.
Mate look at them and tell me again they don't look like a couple of bellends.