Vega's songs are literate and poetic. They deserve-- and can withstand-- rigorous analysis. This treatment is required not simply to explain her many references, but to bring the songs' deeper meanings to light.
In my previous blog-- which took more than five years to complete-- I wrote about every single Paul Simon song. Suzanne Vega, I felt, was the logical choice for my next "every single song" treatment, as she is the next generation's leading songwriter.
I have followed Vega's career from her first album (I even have it in cassette format) and have seen her perform from front-row seats. I have ventured into songwriting myself, with one song published thus far (which explains my ASCAP card) and others performed in public. I have been a published music critic since the mid-1990s and write another music blog as part of my professional job.
The purpose of this blog will be to comment on, as the title indicates, every single Suzanne Vega song. Naturally, this is technically impossible, as many of her songs may be unpublished or unreleased. So that is why there also is an asterisk (*) in the title.
The blog will progress chronologically, with the first song on her first album, until her most recent work. Songs will be discussed in the order in which they appear on her albums... or on soundtracks, compilations, etc. as they were released historically.
I will also note on the "impact" of a song-- that is, if it made it onto the Billboard charts, received Grammy attention, was covered by another singer, or had some other notable achievement.
Predominantly, my comments will be on the lyrics as opposed to the music. The songs will be treated as works unto themselves, with my referring to Vega's personal biography when it necessary to place the songs in context.
Once a week, I will listen to one song and comment on it. I will not provide audio samples or complete lyrics-- those are easily found online, and of course, one could (and should) purchase Vega's songs and albums themselves. Most songs are represented by 30-second clips on allmusic.com as well.
If you are inspired to give your own favorite songwriter-- Dylan, Lennon, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Costello, or Michael Stipe, for example-- the "every single song" treatment, please feel free. I would ask that you credit this or my Paul Simon blog as inspiration, but I do not hold copyright to the idea of "completeness."
Thank you for your writing.
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