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.
Room Off the Street
Suzanne Vega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a poster on a wall
Of a man with his hand
In a fist
Is a woman who's drinking
And her dress is so tight
You can see every breath
Every sigh, every sway
You can hear everything that they say
Something's begun like a war
Or a family or a friendship
Or a fast love affair
The man on the wall
Is his symbol of freedom
It means he has brothers
Who believe as he does
She is moved by
The thing that she sees in his face
When he talks of
The cause
Every sigh, every sway
You can hear everything that they say
Something's begun like a war
Or a family or a friendship
Or a fast love affair
She leans against him
Her dress is so red
They talk of the salt
And the truth and the bread
The night goes along
The fan goes around
In the room off the street
At the end of the town
Every sigh, every sway
You can hear everything that they say
Something's begun like a war
Or a family or a friendship
Or a fast love affair
The song "Room Off The Street" by Suzanne Vega tells the story of a woman who finds herself in a small room with a poster of a man with his hand in a fist hanging on the wall. She is drinking and her dress is tight, revealing her every breath. The man on the poster is a symbol of freedom, sharing his beliefs with others. The woman is moved by what she sees in his face and is leaning against a man who is talking about the "salt and the truth and the bread."
The lyrics paint a picture of a room full of tension and passion, where something new is beginning to take shape. It's unclear whether it's a war, a family, a friendship or a fast love affair, but something is definitely brewing. The night goes on, the fan goes around, and the two continue to talk, creating a space for themselves "at the end of the town," away from the hustle and bustle of the street.
The lyrics leave a lot open to interpretation, but what's clear is that this is a moment of possibility and potential, where people can come together and form a connection over something they believe in or are passionate about. It's a reminder that the most important things in life often happen in the smallest spaces, away from the crowds and the noise.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere in a room
There exists a room in a certain location
With a poster on a wall
There is a poster hung on one of the walls in the room
Of a man with his hand
The poster features an image of a man whose hand is visibly displayed
In a fist
The man in the poster is clenching his hand into a fist
Is a woman who's drinking
A woman is present in the room and is engaged in consuming a beverage
And her dress is so tight
The woman's attire is form-fitting and restrictive
You can see every breath
The tightness of the dress is such that it's possible to observe movements of the woman's body, including breathing
That she takes
The woman's breathing is observable due to her form-fitting dress
Every sigh, every sway
All sounds of exhalation and movements of the body are audible in the room
You can hear everything that they say
All spoken words in the room are audible and discernable
Something's begun like a war
A conflict or other serious altercation may be developing in the room
Or a family or a friendship
Alternatively, there may be positive developments and new relationships forming among the individuals present in the room
Or a fast love affair
Another possible scenario which could be developing is a romantic or passionate relationship
The man on the wall
The poster referred to earlier features prominently in the room
Is his symbol of freedom
The man depicted in the poster is a representative of a philosophical or ideological idea which is important to the individuals in the room
It means he has brothers
The occupants of the room feel they are closely aligned with the beliefs of the man in the poster, and consider themselves part of a broader ideological movement
Who believe as he does
The individuals in the room share the same values and beliefs as the man depicted in the poster
She is moved by
One of the women present is emotionally affected by something to do with the man in the poster, which is important to her
The thing that she sees in his face
There is a specific aspect of the man's image or appearance which is meaningful to the woman observing him
When he talks of
This element of the man's appearance or image is particularly striking to the woman when he discusses
The cause
The beliefs and values which are embodied by the man in the poster
She leans against him
The woman leans on one of the male occupants of the room, possibly drawing emotional strength from him
Her dress is so red
The woman's clothing is vividly colored, possibly to indicate her emotional state, or an important event or occasion
They talk of the salt
The occupants of the room engage in a discussion of a particular subject, salt
And the truth and the bread
This discussion appears to center on a specific philosophical or ideological concept, which is expressed metaphorically through reference to food products
The night goes along
Time is passing, though the duration is not specified
The fan goes around
There is a circulating air current produced by a room fan
In the room off the street
This room is situated away from public areas and other residences
At the end of the town
The location of the room is at the furthest end of a city or settlement
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTON SANKO, SUZANNE VEGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind