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.
Thin Man
Suzanne Vega Lyrics
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Like a shadow is with a foot that falls
His hand is on my back when I step from the sidewalk
Or when I'm walking down these darkened halls
He's the Thin Man
With a date for me
To arrive at some point
I can feel his eyes when I don't expect him
In the back seat of a taxi down Vestry Street
His arm is around my waist and he pulls me down to him
He whispers things into my ear that sound so sweet
He's the Thin Man
With a date for me
To arrive at some point
I don't know when it will be
He is not my friend, but he is with me
And he promises a peace I never knew
I cannot give in, no, I must refuse him
But could I really be the one to resist that kiss so true
He's the Thin Man
With a date for me
To arrive at some point
I don't know when it will be
In the song Thin Man by Suzanne Vega, the Thin Man is a metaphor for death. The Thin Man is always with her, like a shadow is with a foot that falls. His hand is on her back, and she can feel his eyes when she doesn't expect him. He is the man she will one day meet, but she doesn't know when that date will be. He promises a peace she never knew, but she cannot give into him. She must resist him, even though he whispers sweet nothings into her ear.
The song explores the themes of mortality, fear of death and the inevitability of our end. Vega sings about the Thin Man as a personification of death that is always present in our lives. The Thin Man is both a terrifying and alluring character. He whispers sweet nothings and promises a peace, but he is also the bearer of the ultimate end. The song is a reflection on the fragility of life and the fear of death that we all face.
In conclusion, the song Thin Man by Suzanne Vega is a haunting reflection on the fear of death and the inevitability of our end. It personifies death as a character that is always with us, whispering sweet nothings and promising a peace we never knew, but ultimately leading to our demise. The song is a powerful exploration of the fragility of life and our fear of the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
He is not my friend, but he is with me
I am not familiar with this Thin Man, but he is always present around me
Like a shadow is with a foot that falls
The Thin Man follows me everywhere, like a shadow follows a person's footsteps
His hand is on my back when I step from the sidewalk
The Thin Man is physically present and touches me gently, for instance, when I step off a sidewalk
Or when I'm walking down these darkened halls
Even in dark places, the Thin Man is my companion
He's the Thin Man
The artist is referring to a specific individual named the Thin Man
With a date for me
The Thin Man has something planned for the singer-- be it a meeting or a date
To arrive at some point
The singer doesn't know when the date with the Thin Man will occur, but knows it will happen eventually
I can feel his eyes when I don't expect him
The Thin Man's gaze is always upon the artist, even when she's not anticipating it
In the back seat of a taxi down Vestry Street
The Thin Man might not always be physically visible, but the artist can sense his presence
His arm is around my waist and he pulls me down to him
When the Thin Man is physically present, he is not afraid to be intimate with the artist
He whispers things into my ear that sound so sweet
The Thin Man says things to the singer that are charming and alluring
He is not my friend, but he is with me
The artist reiterates that she doesn't know the Thin Man that well but he's never far from her
And he promises a peace I never knew
The Thin Man has promised the singer a type of tranquility she's never experienced before
I cannot give in, no, I must refuse him
The singer knows that she needs to resist the Thin Man's advances, no matter how alluring they may be
But could I really be the one to resist that kiss so true
The singer wonders if she can truly resist the Thin Man's kiss, despite her best intentions
He's the Thin Man
This refrain repeats as a reminder of the Thin Man's constant presence
With a date for me
The Thin Man still has something planned for the artist
To arrive at some point
As before, the singer doesn't know when this encounter will occur
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: SUZANNE VEGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind