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.
No Cheap Thrill
Suzanne Vega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who is that man who is catching my eye?
What's underneath all of the deadpan face?
Sitting so pretty with a criminal grace?
Lamebrain Pete wants to Spit in the Sea.
He's got a cool hand but it isn't for me.
Butcher Boy thinks he'll be splitting the pot.
(When deuces are wild you can follow the queen.
I'd go too except I know where she's been.)
I'll see you, I'll call you, I'll raise you
But it's no cheap thrill
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
Anything you have to pay.
I limit the straddles, and you shuffle and deal.
When will the dealer reveal how he feels?
Is the lucky beginner just a five-card stud?
Is this winning streak going to be nipped in the bud?
I'll see you, I'll call you, I'll raise you
But it's no cheap thrill
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
Anything you have to pay.
I'll match you, I'll bet you, I'll play you,
But it's no cheap thrill
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
Anything you have to pay.
The lyrics to Suzanne Vega's song No Cheap Thrill are about a high-stakes poker game. The singer is addressing her opponents, urging them to ante up and not be shy. She's sizing up the other players, trying to figure out who is the most skilled and who is just there for the ride. She references the nicknames of other players at the table, like Lamebrain Pete and Butcher Boy. She also mentions the concept of deuces being wild, which means that two cards can be used as a placeholder for any other card in the deck.
The singer then raises the stakes, indicating that the cost to play is not cheap. She uses poker analogies throughout the song, talking about calls, raises, and bets. She suggests that the game could be over quickly if luck doesn't go her way, saying that the winning streak could be "nipped in the bud."
Overall, the song is a commentary on the recklessness of gambling and the high price of taking risks. It also highlights the competitive nature of poker and the adrenaline rush that comes along with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Ante up. And don't be shy.
Put your money in the pot and don't hold back.
Who is that man who is catching my eye?
I am interested in a man but unsure about him.
What's underneath all of the deadpan face?
I am curious about what's behind his poker face.
Sitting so pretty with a criminal grace?
He seems charming, but I can't tell if he's a criminal.
Lamebrain Pete wants to Spit in the Sea.
One man is foolish for wanting to take a bad risk.
He's got a cool hand but it isn't for me.
Another man appears to be skilled, but I'm not interested.
Butcher Boy thinks he'll be splitting the pot.
Another man believes he has the winning hand.
But I've seen what he's got and it isn't a lot.
But I know from experience that his hand is weak.
(When deuces are wild you can follow the queen.
In poker, you can either follow or lead depending on the game rules.
I'd go too except I know where she's been.)
I might join in, but I know the queen's moves already.
I'll see you, I'll call you, I'll raise you
I'm up for the challenge and willing to increase the bet.
But it's no cheap thrill
Winning or losing has a high cost.
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
You'll have to pay a price to play poker with me.
Anything you have to pay.
I'm not just talking about money I want something more valuable.
I limit the straddles, and you shuffle and deal.
I control the game rules and you have to follow them.
When will the dealer reveal how he feels?
I'm wondering when the game will take a decisive turn.
Is the lucky beginner just a five-card stud?
I'm not sure if the new player will have beginner's luck or is really skilled.
Is this winning streak going to be nipped in the bud?
I'm questioning whether my current winning streak will continue.
I'll match you, I'll bet you, I'll play you,
I'm still willing to compete and take risks.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: SUZANNE VEGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roiy Benkel
Ante up. And don't be shy.
Who is that man who is catching my eye?
What's underneath all of the deadpan face?
Sitting so pretty with a criminal grace?
Lamebrain Pete wants to Spit in the Sea.
He's got a cool hand but it isn't for me.
Butcher Boy thinks he'll be splitting the pot.
But I've seen what he's got and it isn't a lot.
(When deuces are wild you can follow the queen.
I'd go too except I know where she's been.)
I'll see you, I'll call you, I'll raise you
But it's no cheap thrill
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
Anything you have to pay.
I limit the straddles, and you shuffle and deal.
When will the dealer reveal how he feels?
Is the lucky beginner just a five-card stud?
Is this winning streak going to be nipped in the bud?
I'll see you, I'll call you, I'll raise you
But it's no cheap thrill
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
Anything you have to pay.
I'll match you, I'll bet you, I'll play you,
But it's no cheap thrill
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
Anything you have to pay.
MAAT RE
Ante up. And don't be shy.
Who is that man who is catching my eye?
What's underneath all of the deadpan face?
Sitting so pretty with a criminal grace?
Lamebrain Pete wants to Spit in the Sea.
He's got a cool hand but it isn't for me.
Butcher Boy thinks he'll be splitting the pot.
But I've seen what he's got and it isn't a lot.
(When deuces are wild you can follow the queen.
I'd go too except I know where she's been.)
I'll see you, I'll call you, I'll raise you
But it's no cheap thrill
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
Anything you have to pay.
I limit the straddles, and you shuffle and deal.
When will the dealer reveal how he feels?
Is the lucky beginner just a five-card stud?
Is this winning streak going to be nipped in the bud?
I'll see you, I'll call you, I'll raise you
But it's no cheap thrill
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
Anything you have to pay.
I'll match you, I'll bet you, I'll play you,
But it's no cheap thrill
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
Anything you have to pay.
비정한세상
Ante up. And don't be shy.
Who is that man who is catching my eye?
What's underneath all of the deadpan face?
Sitting so pretty with a criminal grace?
Lamebrain Pete wants to Spit in the Sea.
He's got a cool hand but it isn't for me.
Butcher Boy thinks he'll be splitting the pot.
But I've seen what he's got and it isn't a lot.
(When deuces are wild you can follow the queen.
I'd go too except I know where she's been.)
I'll see you, I'll call you, I'll raise you
But it's no cheap thrill
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
Anything you have to pay.
I limit the straddles, and you shuffle and deal.
When will the dealer reveal how he feels?
Is the lucky beginner just a five-card stud?
Is this winning streak going to be nipped in the bud?
I'll match you, I'll bet you, I'll play you,
But it's no cheap thrill
It will cost you, cost you, cost you
Anything you have to pay.
blachubear
I didn't know Suzanne made a video for this song. The "Nine Objects Of Desire" criminally underrated CD. It also takes me back to cool time in my life. Great memories.
Me,Me,Me.
Yes, I would love it on Vinyl,it's so so good.
phronobia
This song is criminally underrated.
Eric Springer
Suzanne is so brilliant, she is one of those 80s ladies who paved the way for the 90s ladies, such as Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Alanis Morissette and even Tori Amos ( and I love the ladies I mentioned )
Hendrik Sander
She was gorgeous! What a beauty. And I love her voice.
Marcin Dalczynski
totally underrated album.
paul elliott
She's a goddess
Still sounds amazing too
Jules Verne
I call her "Susie Vega" its a much more "Girlie name for Suzanne Vega of Susie Vega and makes her a much more Younger Teenager Expert Musician with more younger respects, Thank You!!!!
JSB103
I just can't get over how much I LOVE this song. The slow tempo, followed by the fast tempo, followed by the slow tempo, followed by the faaaaast tempo is... as she well said... self-explanatory. 😵😵👍👍
Patrick Christ
Absolutely brilliant! I love this song