Suzanne Vega (1985)

Suzanne Vega is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega, released on May 1, 1985, by A&M Records. The album was primarily recorded at Celestial Sound in New York City and was produced by Steve Addabbo and Lenny Kaye.

The album's folk-style and stripped-back arrangements deviated from the prevailing trends of the time, and helped to usher in a new era of singer-songwriters. Suzanne Vega was a critical success and helped Vega's rise to popularity. The album surpassed sales expectations by selling over 200,000 copies in the US and was certified platinum in the UK for sales of over 300,000 copies.

"Marlene on the Wall", "Small Blue Thing" and "Knight Moves" were released as singles to promote the album, with the former becoming a top 30 hit on the UK singles chart upon a re-release in 1986. The album itself reached the top 20 on the UK Albums Chart. It would later be placed at number 80 in Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Best Albums of the Eighties".

Commercial performance

Suzanne Vega exceeded both A&M and Vega's expectations by selling over 200,000 copies in the US. The album would peak at number 91 on the Billboard 200. It was even more successful in the UK, where sales numbers exceeded 300,000 and the album reached number 11.

"Marlene on the Wall" was released as the album's first single. Upon its original release, the song stalled at number 83 on the UK singles chart. However, after being re-released in 1986, it reached a new peak of number 21, becoming her highest-charting song in that country and one of her biggest hits. The album's second single, "Small Blue Thing", peaked at number 65 in the UK.

Critical reception

Gary Kenton, in Spin, wrote, "Vega can get a bit pretentious, but what singer-songwriter worth a damn doesn't? It's the price you pay for taking risks. Suzanne Vega is a flattering and very substantial introduction."

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album liner notes:

Suzanne Vega – vocals, acoustic guitar

Steve Addabbo — background vocals (4, 5, 7), Synclavier guitar (6), 12-string acoustic guitar (8), electric guitar (10)

Darol Anger – electric violin (7)

Frank Christian – acoustic guitar (2, 9), electric slide guitar (10)

Paul Dugan – bass (1, 4, 6, 8, 9), vertical bass (2)

Sue Evans – drums (3, 5, 6, 10), percussion (4, 10)

Jon Gordon – electric guitar (1–7)

Peter Gordon – string arrangement (6)

Frank Gravis – bass (3, 5, 10)

Shem Guibbory – violin (6)

Mark Isham – synthesizers (7)

John Mahoney – Synclavier programming (6)

Maxine Neuman – cello (6)

C.P. Roth – synthesizers (1–5, 9), piano (8), organ (8)

Roger Squitero – percussion (7)