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Solitude Standing
Solitude Standing
Solitude Standing
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Solitude Standing
Studio album by
Suzanne Vega
ReleasedApril 1, 1987
RecordedSeptember 1986 – January 1987
Studio
Genre
Length42:20
LabelA&M
Producer
Suzanne Vega chronology
Suzanne Vega
(1985) 		Solitude Standing
(1987) 		Days of Open Hand
(1990)
Singles from Solitude Standing
  1. "Gypsy"
    Released: April 1987
  2. "Luka"
    Released: May 15, 1987
  3. "Tom's Diner"
    Released: June 1987
  4. "Solitude Standing"
    Released: August 1987

Solitude Standing is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega, released on April 1, 1987, by A&M Records. It is the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed album of Vega's career, being certified Platinum in the U.S. and reaching number 11 on the Billboard 200.

Overview

[edit]

"Tom's Diner" was included twice on the album; the a cappella version was the first track, and the instrumental version was the last track. In 1990, a remixed version of the song by English electronic music producers DNA reached number five in the U.S. The song was later used to test prototype MP3 compression software.[1] "Night Vision" was inspired by the poem "Juan Gris" by French poet Paul Éluard.[2] "Calypso" is based on the Odyssey, namely the part in which Calypso is forced to let Odysseus go.[3] "Gypsy" is mentioned in the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999) by Stephen Chbosky, in which the main character Charlie includes it on one of his mixtapes. Vega once stated she wrote "Gypsy" when she was only 18 years old (which would be 1977) which means the song was written ten years before it was first released.[4]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[5]
Los Angeles TimesStarStarStarHalf star[6]
Orlando SentinelStarStarStarStar[7]
The Philadelphia InquirerStarStarStarStar[8]
The Rolling Stone Album GuideStarStarStarHalf star[9]
SoundsStarStarStarStarHalf star[10]
Uncut8/10[11]
The Village VoiceC+[12]

In Rolling Stone, David Browne said that the mixture of older and newer compositions on Solitude Standing resulted in an album "shakier and less focused" than Vega's eponymous debut studio album, but also one that "unwittingly shows where Vega has been and where she's going", concluding that with her "growth as a singer and writer", she "has managed to beat the sophomore jinx while giving the singer-songwriter a good name once again."[13] People called it an "elegantly crafted, alarmingly accessible" record whose production provides Vega "enough room to profit from the pop grooves on the album without weakening her strength as a folkie."[14]

Retrospectively, AllMusic critic William Ruhlmann deemed Solitude Standing a "triumph" and attributed its artistic success to "its diversity", noting that Vega had crafted "an album of story songs set in a variety of musical contexts" and "developed more as a singer without losing the focused intonation that had made her debut".[5]

25th anniversary

[edit]

In 2012, to mark the 25th anniversary of the album's release, Vega played four celebratory concerts in which the album was performed in its entirety. The first was in Copley Square, Boston on July 28; the second and third were at City Winery in Hudson Square, New York City on October 9 (7pm and 10pm shows); and the fourth at London's Barbican Theatre on October 16.

A limited-edition two-CD set, titled Solitude Standing: Live at the Barbican, was produced by Concert Live and made available for purchase instantly after the final show, as well as online.

Track listing

[edit]
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Tom's Diner"Suzanne Vega2:09
2."Luka"Vega3:52
3."Ironbound/Fancy Poultry"
6:19
4."In the Eye"
  • Vega
  • Marc Shulman
4:16
5."Night Vision"
  • Vega
  • Sanko
2:47
Total length:19:23
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Solitude Standing"
  • Vega
  • Michael Visceglia
  • Sanko
  • Shulman
  • Stephen Ferrera
4:49
2."Calypso"Vega4:14
3."Language"
  • Vega
  • Visceglia
3:57
4."Gypsy"Vega4:04
5."Wooden Horse (Caspar Hauser's Song)"
  • Vega
  • Visceglia
  • Sanko
  • Shulman
  • Ferrera
5:13
6."Tom's Diner (Reprise)"Vega2:40
Total length:24:57

Personnel

[edit]
  • Suzanne Vega – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Marc Shulman – electric guitars
  • Anton Sanko – synthesizers, classical guitar on 5
  • Michael Visceglia – bass guitar, additional synthesizer on 11
  • Stephen Ferrera – drums, percussion

Additional personnel

Production

  • Steve Addabbo – producer, engineer
  • Lenny Kaye – producer
  • Mitch Easter – producer on 9
  • Ronald K. Fierstein – executive producer
  • Rod O'Brien – engineer
  • Shelly Yakus – mixing
  • Jeffrey Gold – art direction
  • Melanie Nissen – art direction, design
  • Paula Bullwinkel – cover photography

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for Solitude Standing
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[41] Gold 25,000[41]
Brazil — 50,000[42]
Canada (Music Canada)[43] Platinum 100,000^
France (SNEP)[44] 2× Gold 200,000*
Germany (BVMI)[45] Gold 250,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[46] Gold 10,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[47] Gold 50,000[47]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[48] Platinum 15,000^
Singapore — 12,000[49]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[50] Gold 50,000^
Sweden (GLF)[51] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[52] Platinum 300,000^
United States (RIAA)[53] Platinum 1,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide — 5,000,000[54]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Solitude Standing

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Solitude Standing is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega, released on April 1, 1987, by A&M Records. Produced by Steve Addabbo and Lenny Kaye, the album marks a shift from the intimate acoustic style of Vega's self-titled debut, incorporating fuller pop-rock arrangements while retaining her folk roots and introspective lyricism. It features 11 tracks, including the a cappella "Tom's Diner," written in 1981 and later remixed into a global hit by DNA in 1990, as well as the socially conscious "Luka," addressing child abuse, and "Gypsy," an early composition from 1978. The album achieved significant commercial success, peaking at number 11 on the US Billboard 200 chart and number 2 on the UK Albums Chart, with worldwide sales of three million copies. It was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 22, 1997, for shipments of one million units in the United States. The lead single "Luka," released in 1987, became Vega's breakthrough hit, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Grammy nominations for Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Critically, Solitude Standing was hailed for its mature songcraft and emotional depth, with reviewers praising Vega's ability to blend personal narratives with broader social themes, evoking comparisons to . AllMusic awarded it 4.5 out of 5 stars, noting its atmospheric and varied compositions that elevated Vega to stardom. The album solidified her reputation as a leading figure in the late-1980s singer-songwriter movement, influencing alternative folk and adult alternative genres.

Background and recording

Development

Following the release of her self-titled debut album in 1985, which sold over 200,000 copies and more than 300,000 in the , had established a reputation as a prominent folk singer known for her , acoustic-driven songwriting. The album's moderate commercial success, coupled with extensive touring, encouraged Vega to evolve her sound beyond the minimalist folk arrangements of her first record, incorporating fuller band instrumentation to reflect her growing experiences as a performer. Several key songs on Solitude Standing originated years earlier, drawing from personal and literary inspirations. "Gypsy," written when was 18 in 1977, stemmed from reflections on a past summer romance and was initially set aside as too folky for her debut. "Luka," conceived in 1984, was inspired by Vega's observations of in neighborhoods, where she noticed children who seemed isolated or bruised, prompting her to address the issue through a from the perspective of an abused boy. Similarly, "Calypso," composed in 1978, reimagines the sea nymph from Homer's , focusing on her unrequited longing for from her isolated viewpoint, as Vega felt the character was overlooked after her brief introduction in the epic. In early 1986, began the pre-production phase by selecting tracks from a repertoire of approximately 100 songs she had accumulated over years of steady writing, often producing a new piece every few months. This process involved initial demos to refine the material, integrating input from her touring band to expand the arrangements and test the shift toward a more dynamic, collaborative style that would define the album.

Production

The recording sessions for Solitude Standing took place primarily in late 1986, following Suzanne Vega's tour supporting her debut album, with final overdubs and mixing extending into early 1987 ahead of the album's April release. The bulk of the basic tracks were captured at in , a facility known for its large live rooms that allowed for ensemble performances, while additional recording and vocal work occurred at RPM Studios in . Mixing was completed at A&M Recording Studios in , utilizing an SSL E Series console to refine the album's dynamics. The album was co-produced by Steve Addabbo, an engineer who had worked on Vega's self-titled debut, and Lenny Kaye, the guitarist from Patti Smith's band, bringing a rock-oriented perspective to the project. Addabbo also served as engineer, handling much of the tracking and overdubbing, while Kaye contributed to arrangements that expanded Vega's sound. For the track "Gypsy," production was led by Mitch Easter, known for his work with R.E.M., who added a distinct rhythmic drive. Key production decisions emphasized layering to achieve a richer texture than Vega's sparse debut. Anton Sanko's synthesizers were integrated for atmospheric depth, such as the introductory hook on "Luka," which emerged spontaneously during overdubs at RPM Studios using a and UA 1176 on Vega's vocals. The track "" was recorded in Bearsville's expansive studio space with a U47 , capturing Vega's isolated performance to highlight her intimate delivery without interference. Overdubs, including guitars by Marc Shulman and background vocals from , were employed extensively to build a fuller band presence, processed through gear like the Pultec EQP-1A and Fairchild 670 for vocal prominence. Production faced challenges in reconciling Vega's acoustic folk roots with emerging rock elements, particularly in amplifying her soft voice to compete on radio without overpowering the arrangements. Vega later reflected on the producers' relative inexperience, pushing for louder drums and a tougher edge, such as on "Luka," where mix engineer Shelly Yakus balanced the elements over three days at A&M, ensuring the vocals sat forward in the mix via SSL compression and Neve preamps. Addabbo noted the ongoing difficulty of "getting the vocal to sit just right," a process refined through multiple passes to maintain emotional clarity amid the expanded instrumentation.

Composition

Musical style

Solitude Standing represents a significant evolution in Suzanne Vega's sound, blending folk-rock foundations with new wave and elements to create a more expansive and polished aesthetic compared to the acoustic folk intimacy of her 1985 self-titled debut. This fusion allows the album to bridge traditional sensibilities with production techniques, incorporating atmospheric textures and rhythmic drive that enhance Vega's literate songcraft. The result is a diverse collection that avoids the of her earlier work, opting instead for layered arrangements that evoke a sense of urban disconnection and emotional depth. Instrumentation plays a key role in this stylistic shift, featuring acoustic and electric guitars for melodic anchoring, bass lines that provide subtle propulsion, drums that add percussive energy, and synthesizers that introduce electronic textures and ambient swells. Standout elements include the a cappella structure of "Tom's Diner," which relies solely on Vega's breathy vocals to convey a stark, observational narrative, and the gentle acoustic arrangement of "Calypso," featuring light percussion and guitar strums that underscore its themes of concealment. Overall, the album's production contrasts the raw, unadorned feel of Vega's debut by embracing a fuller band dynamic and subtle electronic enhancements. Track-specific variations highlight the album's genre-blending prowess: "Luka" unfolds as a sparse yet hypnotic driven by fingerpicked and a steady pop , building tension through its understated arrangement to underscore its narrative weight. In contrast, the title track "Solitude Standing" pulses with upbeat percussion, violin flourishes, and exotic synth layers, creating an eerily throbbing atmosphere that personifies isolation. These choices reflect broader influences from 1980s innovators like and , whose experimental atmospheric arrangements inform the album's blend of folk introspection and modernist edge.

Themes and lyrics

Solitude Standing explores themes of personal introspection and , often juxtaposed with fleeting moments of human connection, through Vega's narrative-driven lyrics that draw from everyday observations and broader literary influences. The album addresses social issues, such as in the track "Luka," where Vega crafts a story of a boy concealing his trauma from neighbors, inspired by a child she encountered in her New York apartment building and emboldened by Lou Reed's unflinching album Berlin. In "Calypso," Vega reimagines the Greek myth from Homer's from the nymph's female perspective, portraying her reluctant release of after seven years of captivity, emphasizing loneliness and unrequited longing with lines like "It's a lonely time ahead / I let him go." Urban solitude permeates songs like "," an vignette of detached observation in a eatery, where the narrator watches strangers amid the city's hum, reflecting Vega's own sense of alienation during a morning visit. The title track further embodies this motif, depicting a standing alone in a crowd, capturing the paradox of visibility in isolation. Vega's poetic style is concise and story-like, influenced by , as seen in "Night Vision," which adapts imagery from Paul Éluard's poem "Juan Gris" about a 1921 painting, evoking abstract emotions through stark, visual metaphors like "In the darkness all the birds / In the darkness all the birds." Feminist undertones emerge in explorations of relationships and autonomy, such as "Gypsy," a wistful reflection on a past romance written in Vega's late teens, where the protagonist embraces wandering freedom with the plea "Please do not ever look for me," signaling independence from emotional entanglement. Similarly, "" delves into miscommunication between lovers, highlighting power dynamics and the inadequacy of words in intimate bonds, while "Ironbound/Fancy Poultry" critiques the commodification of women's bodies, likening them to market goods in a satirical jab at . Vega's vocal delivery enhances these themes, employing an intimate, whispery tone that conveys vulnerability and draws listeners into the narratives, yet shifts to more emotive intensity in tracks like "Luka," where her gentle phrasing underscores the boy's stoic facade without overwhelming the story's gravity. This soothing quality balances the album's darker subjects, creating a sense of quiet . The album's cohesion arises from recurring motifs of isolation and tentative connection, uniting diverse narratives—from mythological longing in "Calypso" to urban detachment in "Tom's Diner"—into a of self-aware , where characters navigate emotional barriers while yearning for understanding. Vega's characters often break from through observation or resolve, tying the collection together as a on human aloneness in a connected world.

Release and promotion

Singles

The singles from Solitude Standing were released sequentially to promote the album, beginning with "Gypsy" in November 1986 as the lead single in markets like the UK. This was followed by "Luka" on May 15, 1987, which became Vega's breakthrough hit, peaking at #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Solitude Standing," the title track, was issued in August 1987, while "Tom's Diner" appeared as an a cappella single in June 1987; a remix by DNA featuring Vega's vocals was released in 1990, reaching #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100. These singles were primarily distributed in 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl formats, with cassette singles also available in select regions such as the and . For "Luka," the 7-inch vinyl and cassette featured "Night Vision" as the B-side, while international versions included live recordings or other tracks. The "Gypsy" 7-inch single paired the track with "Cracking" from Vega's debut on some pressings, including Japanese releases. "Solitude Standing" often came with "Ironbound/Fancy Poultry" as its B-side on vinyl singles.) The original "Tom's Diner" release used "Left of Center" as the B-side, whereas the 1990 DNA remix 12-inch singles included extended mixes and the version. Music videos accompanied key singles to enhance promotion. The "Luka" video, directed by Michael Patterson and Candace Reckinger, emphasized a portraying the song's abused boy, intercut with performing in urban settings to underscore the narrative's emotional weight. For "Solitude Standing," the conceptual video depicted wandering solitary through streets and rooftops, evoking themes of isolation amid urban bustle. A&M Records focused initial promotion on radio for "Luka," positioning it as Vega's crossover breakthrough after her folk-leaning debut, with targeted pushes to adult contemporary and alternative stations that propelled its chart success.

Marketing and touring

A&M Records released Solitude Standing in the United States on April 1, 1987, with an international rollout following shortly thereafter, including a strong push in the where the album reached number two on the charts. The label's emphasized radio and press coverage to capitalize on Vega's rising profile from her 1985 debut, positioning her as a fresh voice in folk-influenced pop. Features in publications like Rolling Stone, where Vega discussed the album's title track as portraying as a dynamic entity, helped build anticipation and crossover appeal, particularly through the single "Luka," which addressed and drew widespread media attention for its narrative depth. To promote the album, A&M focused on high-visibility media appearances that showcased Vega's intimate storytelling style. She performed "Luka" on Late Night with David Letterman in 1987, backed by the show's band including on keyboards, on bass, and on drums, which amplified the song's emotional impact to a national audience. The official for "Luka," directed with a blue-tinted aesthetic featuring Vega and a young boy portraying the character, received heavy rotation on , further establishing her as an innovative folk artist in the 1980s music scene. Press outlets highlighted Vega's emergence as a "new folk voice," blending acoustic simplicity with topical lyrics to appeal beyond traditional folk audiences. Supporting the release, Vega embarked on a world tour in 1987, performing across the , , and other international markets, with sold-out shows at venues like in New York, in , and Odeon in . Setlists were dominated by material from Solitude Standing, including staples like "Luka," "," "Gypsy," and the title track, alongside select tracks from her debut to engage fans. The tour extended into 1988 with additional dates, sustaining momentum as the album gained traction globally and allowing Vega to refine her live presentation in larger arenas.

Commercial performance

Album charts

Solitude Standing achieved significant commercial success on the US , where it debuted at number 133 in May 1987, peaked at number 11 in August 1987, and remained on the for 41 weeks. The album's performance was bolstered by the crossover success of the single "Luka," which reached number 3 on the Hot 100. It ranked number 61 on the year-end for 1987. Internationally, the album topped the charts in for two weeks and in , while reaching number 2 in (for 23 weeks) and the (39 weeks), number 5 in , number 7 in , and number 14 in the . The album performed strongly on year-end lists, including number 22 in and number 1 on 's summer chart in 1987.
CountryPeak PositionWeeks on Chart
United States (Billboard 200)1141
7-
Canada (RPM)5-
1419
120
223
131
239

Certifications and sales

Solitude Standing achieved numerous certifications across various countries, reflecting its strong commercial performance following its 1987 release. , the album was certified by the RIAA on July 15, 1987, for shipments of 500,000 units, and later upgraded to on March 14, 1990, for 1,000,000 units. , it received Silver certification from the BPI on May 5, 1987, for 60,000 units, followed by on the same date for 100,000 units, and on September 6, 1987, for 300,000 units. Canada awarded certification by on August 13, 1987, for 50,000 units, and on September 16, 1987, for 100,000 units. The album also earned Gold certifications in several other markets, including (250,000 units, BVMI, 1987), (equivalent to 200,000 units as 2x Gold, , 1990), (50,000 units, GLF, October 9, 1987), (50,000 units, PROMUSICAE, 1988), (20,000 units, AFP, 1987), (RIAJ, unspecified date), and (IFPI, unspecified date). In New Zealand, it received Platinum certification from RMNZ for 15,000 units (date unspecified). certified it Gold by IFPI in 1987 for 50,000 units, though some records indicate higher multi-Platinum status.
CountryCertificationUnits ShippedCertifying BodyDate
Platinum100,000September 16, 1987
2x Gold200,0001990
Gold250,000BVMI1987
Platinum15,000RMNZUnspecified
Gold50,000GLFOctober 9, 1987
Gold50,000PROMUSICAE1988
Platinum300,000BPISeptember 6, 1987
Platinum1,000,000RIAAMarch 14, 1990
These certifications are based on shipments to retailers rather than verified retail sales, with actual consumer sales estimated to be slightly lower in some regions. Worldwide, Solitude Standing has sold approximately 2 million copies.

Reception

Critical reception

Upon its release in 1987, Solitude Standing garnered mostly positive reviews, with critics highlighting its artistic growth from Vega's debut while noting some inconsistencies. AllMusic critic William Ruhlmann described the album as a "triumph," praising its diversity of material—spanning intimate folk narratives to fuller arrangements—and Vega's sensitive songwriting, which he said provided a welcome contrast to 1980s rock bombast; he awarded it 4.5 out of 5 stars. Rolling Stone's David Browne commended the "beefier" production and Vega's maturation as a performer, particularly her vocal delivery on tracks like the title song and "Luka," but critiqued occasional unevenness in the songwriting, rating it 3 out of 5 stars. In The Village Voice, Robert Christgau gave it a C+, applauding "Luka" as a smart, timely standout on child abuse but finding the rest overly polished and folkie, lacking edge despite its literacy. Retrospective assessments have been even more favorable, cementing the album's status as a folk-rock classic. In a 2022 PopMatters feature marking its 35th anniversary, writer Rick Quinn hailed it as a "minimalist masterwork" for its literate and enduring freshness, emphasizing Vega's gift for vivid character portraits. Similarly, a 2023 revisit in Spectrum Culture called it Vega's most successful work, lauding her smooth voice, witty lyrics, and the album's balance of intimacy and polish. Across reviews, common praises centered on the album's lyrical depth—especially in songs like "Luka," which drew acclaim for addressing heavy themes with maturity—and the refined production by Steve Addabbo and , which added warmth without overwhelming Vega's style. Criticisms were milder in hindsight, often pointing to occasional over-arrangement that could dilute the rawness of her debut. Aggregated retrospective scores reflect this acclaim, with Album of the Year compiling a critic average of 80 out of 100 based on available reviews.

Accolades

The lead single "Luka" from Solitude Standing received significant industry recognition, including a win at the for Best Female Video. It was also nominated in the Breakthrough Video category at the same ceremony. "Luka" earned three nominations at the in 1988: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. These nominations highlighted the song's impact in raising awareness about through its narrative lyrics. The album itself did not receive major award nominations, though its commercial success and critical acclaim contributed to Vega's broader recognition in the music industry during the late .

Legacy

Reissues and anniversary editions

In the , Solitude Standing saw several CD reissues by , including a European edition (catalog 395 136-2) and a 1997 version (catalog 540 973-2), both featuring the original 11-track lineup without bonus material. These editions maintained the album's core content while updating to standard jewel case packaging for broader . The release coincided with the popularity of the DNA remix single of "Tom's Diner," which sampled Vega's version from the album but was issued separately as a standalone 12-inch and . To commemorate the album's 25th anniversary in 2012, performed Solitude Standing in its entirety at select concerts, including July 28 at in , October 9 at City Winery in , and the culminating show on at London's . The performance was recorded and released in 2013 as the double-CD set Solitude Standing: Live at the Barbican, a limited-edition live on Concert Live Records that included the full original album tracks plus nine bonus live performances of Vega's other songs, such as "" and "Cracking," extending the runtime to over 100 minutes. Subsequent reissues included a 2014 deluxe two-CD anniversary edition by A&M/Universal (catalog 0602537916148), which incorporated remastered audio and bonus content like alternate mixes and live recordings, though specific track additions varied by region. In 2017, for the 30th anniversary, a limited-edition purple vinyl pressing (limited to 500 copies) was released exclusively through Vega's Music Glue webstore, pressed on 180-gram vinyl with an download voucher. Digital remasters followed, such as a 2021 edition available on platforms like , emphasizing enhanced fidelity for streaming without new bonus material. By 2025, marking nearly four decades since its original release, Vega continued to reference Solitude Standing in her touring schedule, including the "Flying with Angels Tour" across and , where she highlighted anniversary selections from the album during live sets, though no major new physical reissue was announced. Some anniversary packages from prior years, like the 2012 live set, included liner note interviews with Vega reflecting on the album's creation and enduring appeal.

Cultural impact

The song "Luka" significantly raised public awareness of upon its release, serving as a poignant from the perspective of an abused and becoming a lasting in advocacy for . has noted receiving numerous letters from survivors who felt the track captured their experiences, and it prompted her to focus on children's issues through benefit performances, such as a 2006 concert for Child and Family Services of dedicated to abuse prevention and intervention. The track's unflinching portrayal of in urban settings helped destigmatize the topic in during the late . "Tom's Diner" holds a central place in audio technology history as the primary test track for developing the MP3 compression standard. Engineer Karlheinz Brandenburg at the Fraunhofer Institute selected its a cappella vocals in the late 1980s to challenge and refine the algorithm, noting the difficulty of preserving the "warm" quality of Vega's unaccompanied voice at low bit rates without artifacts. This rigorous testing contributed to the finalization of MPEG-1 Audio Layer III in 1992, revolutionizing digital music distribution and storage. The 1990 DNA remix, which layered house beats over the original a cappella, became a landmark in electronic music by demonstrating the creative potential of vocal sampling, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart and influencing subsequent dance productions. Solitude Standing played a key role in reviving the folk music scene of the 1980s, drawing from Greenwich Village's "fast folk" tradition at venues like the Cornelia Street Café and bridging 1960s influences with modern production to propel introspective songwriting into the mainstream. The album's success spearheaded a wave of female folk artists in the late 1980s, emphasizing narrative-driven lyrics on personal and social themes. Track "Gypsy" gained literary prominence by appearing on a mixtape compiled by the protagonist in Stephen Chbosky's 1999 novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower, later adapted into a 2012 film that echoed its themes of youthful introspection. In the 2020s, the album saw renewed streaming interest, with "Tom's Diner" going viral on platforms like TikTok through user-generated covers and remixes. Vega marked the album's enduring appeal with a 2025 tour featuring full performances of its tracks across Europe and North America.

Track listing and credits

Track listing

Solitude Standing is structured as a double-sided LP with five tracks on side A and six on side B in its original vinyl release. All songs were written by Suzanne Vega, except "Ironbound/Fancy Poultry" (Vega, Anton Sanko, Michael Visceglia, Marc Shulman), "In the Eye" (Vega, Marc Shulman), "Solitude Standing" (Vega, Marc Shulman, Anton Sanko, Michael Visceglia, Stephen Ferrera), and "Language" (Vega, Michael Visceglia).
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1.""2:08
2."Luka"3:51
3."Ironbound/Fancy Poultry"Vega, Sanko, Visceglia, Shulman6:17
4."In the Eye"Vega, Shulman4:12
5.""2:45
6."Solitude Standing"Vega, Shulman, Sanko, Visceglia, Ferrera4:34
7."Calypso"4:12
8.""Vega, Visceglia3:54
9."Gypsy"Vega4:01
10.""5:09
11."Tom's Diner (Reprise)"Vega2:39
Total length: 44:20 The 25th anniversary edition, released in 2012, features live performances of the album's tracks recorded at London's Barbican Centre, along with additional songs from Vega's catalog.

Personnel

Suzanne Vega performed lead vocals and played acoustic guitar on all tracks of Solitude Standing. The core band included Marc Shulman on guitars and violin, on synthesizers and keyboards, Michael Visceglia on bass (except for the track "Gypsy"), and Stephen Ferrera on drums and percussion. Guest contributors featured on drums for select tracks, Sue Evans on percussion, and Marc O'Donnell on keyboards. Steve Addabbo served as producer and engineer, with as co-producer; handled production duties specifically for "Gypsy". Glenn Berger managed the mixing, while performed the mastering at Masterdisk.

References

  1. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/suzanne-vega-solitude-standing-album/
  2. https://www.suzannevega.com/music
  3. https://davesmusicdatabase.blogspot.com/1987/04/suzanne-vega-solitude-standing-released.html
  4. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/22859/suzanne-vega/
  5. https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1715225/Suzanne-Vega-interview-UK-tour
  6. https://www.onamrecords.com/artists/suzanne-vega/award-discs
  7. https://www.allmusic.com/album/solitude-standing-mw0000192202
  8. https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2020/04/23/today-in-music-history-bob-dylan-appeared-on-the-johnny-cash-show
  9. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/suzanne-vega-early-years-solitude-standing-feature/
  10. https://themouthmagazine.com/2012/10/09/suzanne-vega/
  11. https://www.songwritingmagazine.co.uk/interviews/luka-suzanne-vega
  12. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/suzanne-vega/calypso
  13. https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks/classic-tracks-suzanne-vega-luka
  14. https://www.hifinews.com/content/suzanne-vega-solitude-standing-production-notes
  15. https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/hifivinyl/8372/suzanne-vega-solitude-standing/
  16. https://www.popmatters.com/suzanne-vega-solitude-standing-atr35
  17. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/oct/18/suzanne-vega-how-we-made-toms-diner-dna
  18. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1987/05/10/rocks-new-waif-rolls-in/db594ac2-aeaf-44b0-ae3e-b94e6ac0c24d/
  19. https://spectrumculture.com/2023/06/26/revisit-suzanne-vega-solitude-standing/
  20. https://jasobrecht.substack.com/p/suzanne-vega-the-1987-solitude-standing
  21. https://diffuser.fm/suzanne-vega-solitude-standing/
  22. https://www.theyoungfolks.com/music/100892/from-the-record-crate-suzanne-vega-solitude-standing-1987/
  23. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/suzanne-vega-gypsy/
  24. https://www.billboard.com/artist/suzanne-vega/
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11917434/
  26. https://www.discogs.com/release/1890209-Suzanne-Vega-Luka
  27. https://www.discogs.com/release/1913814-Suzanne-Vega-Luka
  28. https://www.ebay.com/itm/372048392970
  29. https://www.discogs.com/master/31828-DNA-Featuring-Suzanne-Vega-Toms-Diner
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6860610/
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPoDV4p6ync
  32. https://musicvideo.fandom.com/wiki/Luka
  33. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/concert-map/suzanne-vega-33d6a44d.html?year=1987
  34. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/suzanne-vega-33d6a44d.html?tour=5bd1a7b0
  35. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/suzanne-vega?year=1988
  36. http://tsort.info/music/ybkb50.htm
  37. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/suzanne-vega-details-new-album-flying-with-angels-1235915282/
  38. https://bestsellingalbums.org/year-end/Billboard_Top_Albums_1987
  39. https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?key=558&cat=a
  40. https://www.norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Suzanne%2BVega&order=year
  41. https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Suzanne%2BVega&titel=Solitude%2BStanding&cat=a
  42. https://bestsellingalbums.org/year-end/Australia_Top_Albums_1987
  43. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default_award&ar=Suzanne+Vega&ti=Solitude+Standing#search_section
  44. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/44951
  45. https://bestsellingalbums.org/artist/12570
  46. https://www.onamrecords.com/artists/suzanne-vega/bibliographies
  47. https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv7-87.php
  48. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/36507-suzanne-vega-solitude-standing.php
  49. https://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1988/mtvvmas.htm
  50. https://mtv.fandom.com/wiki/1988_MTV_Video_Music_Awards
  51. https://www.discogs.com/master/31648-Suzanne-Vega-Solitude-Standing
  52. https://www.discogs.com/release/329668-DNA-Featuring-Suzanne-Vega-Toms-Diner
  53. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/suzanne-vega/2012/copley-square-boston-ma-bdf79b2.html
  54. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/suzanne-vega/2012/city-winery-new-york-city-new-york-ny-7bdd2e5c.html
  55. https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/suzanne-vega-solitude-standing-live-at-the-barbican-2012/
  56. https://music.apple.com/us/album/solitude-standing-live-at-the-barbican-25th/603009002
  57. https://www.discogs.com/release/11228408-Suzanne-Vega-Solitude-Standing
  58. https://www.highresaudio.com/album/view/xhdwdx/suzanne-vega-solitude-standing-remastered
  59. https://www.suzannevega.com/
  60. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH59TTiO75i/?hl=en
  61. https://www.fosters.com/story/lifestyle/2006/05/14/suzanne-vega-plays-cfs-concert/63082355007/
  62. https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-plan/tools-and-resources/documents/Interview_Susan-Vega.pdf
  63. https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/interview-suzanne-vega-on-punk-rock-sampling-and-her-new-album-flying-with-angels
  64. https://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/album-suzanne-vega-flying-angels
  65. https://80smetalman.wordpress.com/2021/04/07/great-rock-albums-of-1987-suzanne-vega-solitude-standing/
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