Though born in California, Vega has lived most of her life in New York City. There, she attended the High School of the Performing Arts (the school seen in the feature film musical Fame), where she studied modern dance. Vega realized that her talent in dance was not sufficient to make her living. While pursuing a degree in English at Columbia University, she penned many songs, and performed in college and community coffeehouses inside and outside the New York City area.
She was discovered in 1984, releasing her eponymous debut the following year. However, it was not until her 1987 sophomore effort, Solitude Standing, that Vega entered the U.S. mainstream with the lyrically unlikely hit Luka. Three years later, a remix of the album's opening track "Tom's Diner" became an American and European hit for "DNA Featuring Suzanne Vega."
Having continuously built and maintained a loyal fanbase since her fame's peak, Vega has a prolific catalogue, and in 2003 she released a retrospective collection. Beauty & Crime, her seventh album, was released in 2007. Inspired by the city where Vega grew up and still currently resides, Beauty & Crime revolves around her experiences in New York.
Vega has a daughter, Ruby Froom, with her ex-husband Mitchell Froom. In early 2006, Vega remarried to a man named Paul Mills.
For additional information, including photographs, visit Suzanne Vega's official website, www.SuzanneVega.com.
Big Space
Suzanne Vega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said I'd rather stand in someone else's
He said you look from your direction
I said I like to keep perspective
Close to the middle of the network
It seems we're looking for a center
What if it turns out to be hollow?
Between the pen and the paperwork
There must be passion in the language
Between the muscle and the brain work
There must be feeling in the pipeline
Beyond the duty and the discipline
I know there's anger in a cold place
All feelings fall into the big space
Swept up like garbage on the week-end
Between the pen and the paperwork
There must be passion in the language
Between the muscle and the brain work
There must be feeling in the pipeline
All feeling
Falls into the big space
All feeling
Swept into the
Avenues of angles
Between the pen and the paperwork
I'm sure there's passion in the language
Between the muscle and the brain work
I know there's feeling in the pipeline
The lyrics of Suzanne Vega’s song “Big Space” may seem a bit abstract at first, however upon closer examination, they reveal deep insight into relationships between people, perspectives, and feelings. In the first verse, two people are discussing their different perspectives on life. While one person believes in standing in their own shoes, the other finds comfort in gaining different perspectives by standing in other people's shoes. The lyrics suggest that both perspectives have value and can be beneficial in different ways. The line "Close to the middle of the network, it seems we're looking for a center, What if it turns out to be hollow?" poses a philosophical question about purpose in life and what happens when we find out that the things we seek are not fulfilling. The following line "We could be fixing what is broken" suggests that it is necessary to acknowledge disappointments along the way and make desirable changes accordingly.
The second and third verses discuss the importance of passion and feeling in language, intellectual work, and physical strength. The lines "Between the pen and the paperwork, there must be passion in the language, Between the muscle and the brain work, there must be feeling in the pipeline" suggest that no matter the task, there should always be an emotional element and a human connection. The reference "All feelings fall into the big space" suggests that no matter how hard we try, emotions cannot be completely contained or categorized. As well, "Avenues of angles" is a play on the homophones "angles" and "angels," suggesting that emotions exist somewhere in the space between a earthly and spiritual plane.
Overall, Suzanne Vega’s “Big Space” is a thought-provoking song that encourages the listener to appreciate different perspectives, acknowledge and accept emotions, and strive for passion and connection in all aspects of life.
Line by Line Meaning
He said you stand in your own shoes
He told me to be myself and stay true to who I am
I said I'd rather stand in someone else's
I replied that sometimes it's easier to see things from someone else's point of view
He said you look from your direction
He mentioned that I have my own perspective on things
I said I like to keep perspective
I explained that it's important to consider multiple viewpoints and keep an open mind
Close to the middle of the network
In the center of everything we're connected to
It seems we're looking for a center
We're searching for a central point or purpose
What if it turns out to be hollow?
What if the central point we find isn't meaningful or substantial?
We could be fixing what is broken
We could use this search for a center to repair what is broken in our lives or in the world
Between the pen and the paperwork
Referring to the process of writing or creating something
There must be passion in the language
It's important to infuse the work with passion and emotion
Between the muscle and the brain work
Referring to physical and mental labor
There must be feeling in the pipeline
It's important to have an emotional connection to the work being done
Beyond the duty and the discipline
Outside of the obligation and structure
I know there's anger in a cold place
I recognize that there can be strong emotions in an environment that is cold or unfeeling
All feelings fall into the big space
All emotions are part of a larger, collective experience
Swept up like garbage on the week-end
Emotions can be disregarded or treated as unimportant like trash being collected on a weekend
All feeling
All emotions
Falls into the big space
Are part of the greater human experience
Swept into the
Gathered up and collected among
Avenues of angles
Referring to the diverse and multi-dimensional aspects of human emotion
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTON SANKO, SUZANNE VEGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind