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.
Tired Of Sleeping
Suzanne Vega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's just that there's so much to do
And I'm tired of sleeping
Oh Mom, the old man is telling me something
His eyes are wide and his mouth is thin
And I just can't hear what he's saying
It's just that there's so much to do
And I'm tired of sleeping
Oh Mom, the kids are playing in pennies
They're up to their knees in money
And the dirt of the churchyard steps
Oh Mom, that man he ripped out his lining
He tore out a piece of his body
To show us his "clean quilted heart"
Oh Mom, I wonder when I'll be waking
It's just that there's so much to do
And I'm tired of sleeping
Oh Mom, the bird on the string is hanging
Her bones are twisting and dancing
She's fighting for her small life
Oh Mom, I wonder when I'll be waking
It's just that there's so much to do
And I'm tired of sleeping
Oh Mom, I wonder when I'll be waking
It's just that there's so much to do
And I'm tired of sleeping
The lyrics to Suzanne Vega's song Tired Of Sleeping delve into the complexity of the human experience, exploring the struggle to balance the demands of life with the need for rest and the desire for fulfillment. The first verse presents a paradoxical situation - the singer is dreaming, yet they are not at peace. This is because they perceive that there is an overwhelming amount of work to be done, and they are feeling burnt out from the constant activity. The second verse introduces a new character, an old man who is communicating something important, but the singer cannot hear him. This could represent a missed opportunity for growth or learning due to exhaustion or distraction.
The third verse introduces children playing with pennies and dirt, seemingly carefree and unburdened by the worries of adult life. However, the fourth verse reveals another character who has undergone a painful process to present a veneer of purity and goodness - "the man with the clean quilted heart". The fifth verse is the most disturbing, describing a bird hanging from a string, fighting for survival. This could represent the singer's own struggle to maintain balance and motivation in life.
Overall, the song is a meditation on the struggle of modern life, and the balance of rest, creativity and productivity in our lives. Through the use of metaphor, Vega explores the fundamental human desire to live a meaningful and fulfilling existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Mom, the dreams are not so bad
I don't mind dreaming, but there's so much I want to accomplish in reality
It's just that there's so much to do
I have a lot of goals and responsibilities to fulfill
And I'm tired of sleeping
I want to be awake and pursue my ambitions
Oh Mom, the old man is telling me something
I feel like I'm missing out on important advice or wisdom
His eyes are wide and his mouth is thin
He seems intense and serious about his message
And I just can't hear what he's saying
I'm too distracted or preoccupied to fully absorb his words
Oh Mom, I wonder when I'll be waking
I'm eager to start pursuing my goals and aspirations
Oh Mom, the kids are playing in pennies
Children are carefree and easily amused by simple things
They're up to their knees in money
They see value in small things that adults might overlook
And the dirt of the churchyard steps
Even something as simple as dirt can be fascinating to a child
Oh Mom, that man he ripped out his lining
Someone is showing vulnerability and revealing their true self
He tore out a piece of his body
This person is exposing their pain or emotions to others
To show us his "clean quilted heart"
They want to prove that they are honest and sincere, despite their flaws
Oh Mom, the bird on the string is hanging
I see someone or something suffering and struggling
Her bones are twisting and dancing
The pain and struggle is causing physical distress
She's fighting for her small life
This creature is struggling to survive against all odds
Oh Mom, I wonder when I'll be waking
I'm anxious to start living my life and accomplishing my goals
It's just that there's so much to do
I don't want to waste time or miss out on opportunities
And I'm tired of sleeping
I feel restless and unfulfilled, and want to be productive
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SUZANNE VEGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind