The Toy Box

Retro Spins: Suzanne Vega - Solitude Standing

I got my introduction to Suzanne Vega in 1990, with the remixed version of Tom's Diner released by DNA. If I'm being honest, I didn't like it. In fact, I really didn't want anything to do with the singer until I came across her 1986 contribution to the Pretty In Pink soundtrack. It was in listening to Left Of Center that I thought maybe there was something to her that I was missing. Even then, I didn't actively track down her two 80's albums. Instead, I picked them up when I found them out in the wild during a used CD shop run.

If selling 200,000 units of her debut in America shocked both Vega and her label, they probably fell out of their seats when her follow-up, 1987's Solitude Standing sold over one million. Unlike its predecessor which focused primarily on acoustic arrangements, this album adopted a stronger pop-oriented sound, fleshed out by a full band.

Solitude Standing not only featured the international hit, Luka, but is her only album to have any songs which peaked on the Billboard Hot 100. Luka would peak at number three, and be followed by the minor hit, and album title track, which peaked at ninety-four. Her third chart success wouldn't come until three years later. However, that would be the aforementioned remixed version of Tom's Diner, which was credited to DNA featuring Suzanne Vega, and only released as a single at the time. It would, however, be released on DNA's one and only album, Taste This, in 1992.

Pleasantly surprised by her debut, AKA yesterday's Retro Spin, I was looking forward to diving into this one. Mind you, I didn't expect to have my mind blown by it, but I was at least hoping for another calm album with some nice arrangements.

The shift in musical style, as in bringing in a full band, wasn't necessarily a bad thing, and does bring with it the familiarity of the above noted Pretty In Pink tune. Considering that was my first song from Vega that I liked, I was fine with this change.

Everything kicks off with the a cappella, Tom's Diner, which will really throw you off if you're only familiar with DNA's electronic version. For me, as much as I'm not a fan, it needs the music behind it. Frankly, it's also not a very good album opener. Instead, this would have been better suited at the opposite end, which is ironic that I thought that because I found out as playing through that a reprise version is indeed the album closer. Regardless, I'm still not a fan.

My appreciation for Luka has grown with time. While as a kid, I can remember my sister and I singing, "my name is puka," as an adult, and actually listening to the words, it's definitely a deeper song with a bigger impact.

Solitude Standing doesn't leave as big an impact for me as her debut, and that perhaps is its biggest misstep for me. Though I didn't hear anything bad, I never really came across anything that I would ever need to hear again. Mediocre, I suppose, is the best word for it all.

Vega wrapped up the 80's with this album, but since then has released eight more, her latest being 2025's Flying With Angels. As is the case with most artists, her albums have steadily declined in both sales and overall chart status. However, with an estimated net worth of ten million dollars, I highly doubt she feels much burden or impact from that.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 271

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 271
Release Date: December 1985

Highlights

First appearance of Manslaughter Marsdale, Madame Fang, and Bobby Chance
We go all the back to Amazing Fantasy 15, with the wrestler, Crusher, who Spider-Man first went against in the ring, trying to earn $100
Crusher tells a (not so true) story to Bobby about how he took Spider-Man under his wing, taught him agility and strength training, made his web shooter, and eventually his iconic costume
Bobby wants to leave Marsdale's boxing gym when his agreement ends, but Marsdale (violently) tells him to reconsider
Crusher overhears Marsdale and Madame Fang talking about Bobby
Crusher goes home, and it's here we see he's a big fan of Spider-Man with posters everywhere
Crusher wishes he actually knew Spider-Man, and could get his assistance to help Bobby
Spider-Man returns home, but when he sees his neighbors sunbathing on the roof, deterring him from entering his apartment through the skylight, he flings web made bats at them, scaring them away
Reference is made to Web Of Spider-Man 7, Secret Wars II, and Amazing Fantasy 15
Mrs. Muggins bangs on Peter's door, and when he opens, says she knows it was him who scared the girls off the roof, before promptly calling him a pervert
After Mrs. Muggins reminders Peter that his rent is due next week, he considers hocking the gold notepad he took from the demolished building in Secret Wars 6
Mary Jane shows up, and invites Peter to dinner on her
Nathan Lubensky gets a strange phone call, from a voice he recognizes, who tells him to meet him at the usual place
Peter learns that Mary Jane is working for Kingsley Ltd., AKA Robert Kingsley
Peter goes to the Bugle looking for an assignment, and finds Ned and Betty Leeds arguing again
Lance Bannon convinces the Bugle to give Peter his assignment so he can take the night off
As Peter returns home, Aunt May calls him, asking him for help with Nathan, forcing Peter to call Lance and cancel
As Spider-Man follows Nathan across town, Manslaughter makes his move on Bobby, and gunshots ring out, which our hero hears, and decides he needs to leave Nathan to his own devices, after planting a spider tracer on the cab he was in
Nathan apparently owes money to someone, and when meeting their shadowed figures in a dark alley, he lets his men lose on the old man
Spider-Man obliterates Manslaughter in the fight, and remembers Crusher from his past
Spider-Man gives Crusher a win when Bobby tells him about how Crusher always talks about him, and trained him, Spider-Man goes along with it
Peter goes to Aunt May's house the next morning, noting he couldn't find Nathan after his fight at the gym, only to find out Nathan was beaten, and is in the hospital
Great throwback story to Amazing Fantasy 15, and Nathan got his stupid teeth kicked in - What's not to love?

Low Points

Nathan has done a complete 180, absolutely hating on Peter in his thoughts about the man
After Nathan is beaten up, Aunt May plays the pity card on Peter, saying that she understands that she's not an important aspect of her life, and that's why he couldn't bother to follow Nathan like she asked
I'm tired of Aunt May and Nathan Lubensky

Oddities

None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega

By my calculations, if I don't buy another 80's studio album, I should be finished listening to them all by the end of next year. Of course, I then have soundtracks, live albums, etc., and we all know very well that I'm going to keep buying albums. But I should at least be in a relatively manageable spot by the end of 2027, considering a return to format of just one Retro Spin per week in 2028 and beyond, versus every day. You know, if we're all still around at that point. While it's enjoyable (for the most part), it takes a lot of time to listen to all of this music.

While working towards a degree in English literature, Vega occupied her college nights by performing at small venues around Greenwich Village, contributing to Jack Hardy's Monday night songwriters' group at the Cornelia Street Cafe. It was here that she would first have songs published. Specifically, for the Fast Folk anthology albums.

A&M Records took notice of her, offering a recording contract. In doing so, she was among the select few fast folk categorized musicians to receive a major label recording contract. Both her and her label would be caught off guard when her 1985 self-titled debut would not only pique interest of critics but sell over 200,000 units. The album would further go on to be certified platinum in the UK.

The album mainly focuses on simple arrangements; all played on acoustic guitar by Vega. However, as they sometimes say, less is more. Granted, there are several instruments incorporated, but they're used sparingly, coming in only when needed.

Songs deviate from the sounds, styles and trends of music dominating the 80's airwaves, and this is perhaps where its charm lies. It's so different that you want to stop and listen. If for no other reason than to ask, "Hey, what is this?"

It's not a record I'd want to play every day. I imagine it's best suited to listen to while sitting in a rocking chair, perhaps a rainstorm in the background, pitter-patters of raindrops gently hitting the roof, with the occasional thunder, and flash of lightning. That's call ambience. I suppose it would even serve a good purpose to help clam one down while they go to sleep. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that it's a rather soothing and relaxing album.

I actually went into this one blind, having picked it up at a local used CD shop for a buck or two, and mainly just because it was from the 80's. As such, I knew nothing from it, nor what to expect. While I didn't hear anything that was what I would call top ten hit, there were some good tracks to be found. For me, these included Freeze Tag, and Marlene On The Wall, the latter of which I found out had a music video which was showcased frequently on MTV and VH1.

Before jumping into her next album, Vega contributed to the John Hughes film Pretty In Pink (1986) with Left Of Center. She would also join up for the Greenpeace tour that year, being interviewed by Lou Reed. This would become an important day for her and Reed, as it would lead to a lifelong friendship. Since his death, she's performed a cover of his hit, Walk On The Wild Side, as a tribute to him.

On that downer of a note, we'll pick up tomorrow with 1987's Solitude Standing.

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