Suzanne Vega, I think everyone who is interested in female rock or folk music should have heard this ladies name somewhere and if not, then you should have.

Suzanne was one of the first folk singers to step out of the clubs and make it big as a recording artist and is now known all over the world—singers like Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos etc have a lot to thank this women for as she helped pave the way for singers like this to also become massive recording stars. Suzanne is a big acoustic fan and herself playing acoustic guitar accompanies her music

Suzanne was born on July 11, 1959 in Santa Monica, California she was brought up by her mother and half Puerto step-father Rican in a hispanic neighbourhood in a house that she herself describes as a very creative home where singing was an influential part of her upbringing.

If you have never heard any of Suzanne’s music I would recommend that your first purchase would be ‘Tried and True’ which is the first collection of the Best of Suzanne Vega. This contains 17 of her best songs from her collection of albums.

1) Luka – Luka is probably Suzanne’s biggest hit though is not arguably one her best in my opinion. A powerful lyrical song about abuse – one of the most common interpretations of this song is that Luka is a female victim of domestic violence, but in truth Luka is boy’s name and the song is wrote about a young boy who is abused by his parents. The song actually has an almost ‘pop-like’ melody to it but the lyrics are powerful and hard hitting and will make you sit up and take notice.

2) Tom’s Diner – Tom’s Diner is actually the first Suzanne Vega song I ever heard – the catchy de-de-de-de-dah-dah type chorus is one of the most well know about and the song is one of those that once inside your head you can’t get out. The story behind the song seems to be one of those moments when you are sitting alone and watching the world – well worth a listen to.

3) Marlene on the Wall – Marlene on the wall has a very uplifting tune but the lyrics are describing a relationship that seems to be in trouble, I took Marlene (actually sang as Marlena) is maybe a picture looking down on the couple. A great song.

4) Caramel – Caramel is a bluesy type song that sounds very sexy and is perfect mood music, though the lyrics seem to be describing a longing for something you can’t have. But the chocolate and sweet references make this a very sexually orientated song.

5) 99.9f – is another seduction song, these sweet bluesy almost husky tones of Suzanne in these tracks really do set the mood. The melody is quite surreal and futuristic sounding. I think this is a great song.

6) Small Blue Thing – My interpretation of Small Blue Things is of someone maybe a small child becoming lost inside of themselves and seeing things and experiencing everything from an innocent’s perspective. This is, while a very slow song, actually very uplifting.

7) Blood Makes Noise – Blood makes noise is a very rocky song – the arrangement and speed that this is sung at makes you think of insanity or insane moments, a great driving song and one of my favourites.

8) Left of Center – Left of the Center is one of those songs that many people find easy to relate to, it describes the feeling of being outside of the world and not belonging, teamed with actually a very uplifting melody this makes a great song to listen to when you want to feel good about just being you.

9) In Liverpool – In Liverpool is one of my favourite ever songs this a very deep meaningful song where the lyrics can be taken a thousand different ways, it seems to describe a women who can find the intensity in solitude but can make a personal connection with someone in the distance. A slow melody and soft singing make this a winner.

10) Gypsy – Gypsy is my all time favourite Suzanne Vega song, the melody and acoustic arrangement in this song are very uplifting and her vocals are soft and probing – the song depicts a story of two people who come together in a romantic way and share a lot, but ultimately have to say goodbye, but still carry each other with them. I rate this one of the greatest love songs of all time and if you have never heard you should.

11) Book of Dreams – Book my Dreams is one of the most disappointing songs on this collection and I have often wondered why it got included, I find it sounds very much like a flat pop song though the lyrics do hold some merit you just can’t overlook the fact that you just want to turn this song off.

12) No Cheap Thrill – This song has another of those futuristic acoustic arrangements, I find it quite receptive sounding, Suzanne is describing a relationship by using a game of card as a metaphor.

13) World Before Columbus – This deep and poignant song looks at how Suzanne would feel if she lost all the emotional things that she has in her life or she decided to concentrate on the materialistic side of life. A great song for those who are feeling blue as it reminds us of the things that we do have and cost us nothing to love and cherish. A slow melody but one that is quite catchy.

14) When Heroes go Down – This is an electro-pop sounding tune, not one the strong songs on the CD either lyrically or melodically but one that can become quite catchy.

15) The Queen and the Soldier – this is one of those songs that you have to listen to quite a few times to get an idea of the story that it is getting across a haunting song, about loneliness and bitterness and most of all fear…it reminds that you everyone has a secret and an insecurity and that some people hide it in different ways a beautiful, haunting song that makes you sit and think.

16) Book and a Cover – Suzanne has an extraordinary way of talking about life’s troubles and experiences in Metaphors and this is another one of those great songs, its about seeing inside somebody. An uplifting, quite fast melody and vocal arrangement.

17) Rosemary - This is a perfect ending to this collection, Rosemary is about moving on and leaving memories behind but still valuing their lessons, a slow poignant tune that is a perfect round off to this deep rooted album.