Suzanne Vega - Marlene on the Wall (1986)

[@worldissuesmatter1643]

So here I am at 61, remembering when this album came out and I sang these lyrics as I walked to class. Oh, youth is definitely wasted on the young.

[@exactsame]

“Youth is definitely wasted on the young” What a thought provoking saying!

[@bbarror]

60 and remember being in college and loving her too.

[@qqleq]

I don't know if this is just because this song is so 80's or because it's a reflection of my youth. But it still gives me goosebumps so many years after hearing it first (I was 19 in '86). Looking around me, I see young, intelligent, full of life people in their twenties still in the complete spirit of this song. Struggling radiantly with life. Hungering for beauty, love, understanding. And then I see people my age "knowing it all by now", having lost so much of that charm of youth, of open eyes, open hands, of willingness to discover things you haven't run into yet. They "know". This song still reflects the way I live my life: not knowing shit but discovering, discovering, discovering how great and flawed I am at the same time , and all people around me the same. Wisdom comes from realising: we don't know _shit_ and that means we can discover and be passionate about our discoveries. Even Marlena on the wall doesn't now shit, she just recognises a fellow not-knower, and she's just one step ahead in the game of knowing that not-knowing is where everything is at. Marlena's smile isn't "I see through you", it's: "yup, I've been there, still no clue, but one day you'll see too that having a clue is worthless in the next situation. So better don't have any clues.". This song is how many of us pass our youth until we get to a certain age and we start priding ourselves on our life experience. That's the moment when the sparks in our eyes start fading. The only thing I gained from getting older is seeing so much clearly how so many young people have truth and wisdom in them so much more then so many older people, because they still enjoy trying, discovering and learning. A few exceptions amongst us old people. Suzanne Vega being one. Age is not just a number. It's also a fight against complacency. But it's worth fighting it in your own way. Marlena supports you from the wall.

[@Internutt2023]

The studio version of this song, is one of the clearest and most succinct voices I think I have ever heard on a recording. Just beautiful, live or studio versions.

[@thepedalpress]

A curious friend back in '85 was surprised I'd never heard of Suzanne Vega and as a result gave to me the cassette of this first album. So grateful.

[@ILuvRocknRoll67]

She's speaks as beautifully as she sings. I love this!!

[@JohnGerardDoherty]

I just rediscoverd this song on a recent camping trip. It is without doubt, utterly beautiful and beguiling..🤔

[@Rentner-r9c]

Ich bin 72 spiele Gitarre und liebe diese Künstlerin

[@Rentner-r9c]

Am besten find i my Name is Luka

[@redrob67]

I was at this gig. Fantastic performance in a fantastic venue. Everyone should experience a performance at the Royal Albert Hall at least once in their lives.

[@MickTheQuickk]

I saw Leonard Bernstein conduct a Stravinsky concert at Royal Albert Hall in 1972.

[@ianprice6591]

I too was at this gig, not my normal gig at he time, I was at a transvision vamp gig in Brixton the day before, but this was a spell binding and awesome gig, it changed the way I listened to music and in a way as a music fan I grew up at that gig.... Still think Suzanne is brilliant and still in love with her music..... She has a natural beauty ...

[@ILuvRocknRoll67]

Really Robert ?

[@Mister_Inbetween]

saw the The there 2 years ago and I have to agree. Fantastic venue made better by the comeback tour from a man that hadn’t performed in 17 years

[@uncertaintyprincipal1751]

Saw Elvis Costello there in 1987, will never forget it.

[@charlesbarber3293]

One of the best songs ever, it has stood the the test of time 35 years later. Thanks Suzanne.

[@Whoa_Lisa]

I discovered Suzanne Vega at the age of 12-13 yrs old when I saw her playing a gig on TV and it was this song. I fell in love.

[@LeopoldoNotarianni-rk9vv]

I was thinking wasn't it Marlene Dietrich poster on her bedroom wall.

[@seekah1]

Best version, great stuff

[@UberSynth]

I've always loved this song. ❤

[@mickadams1905]

A rare and pure talent at their best. This is almost better than the album version.

[@placidigonzalez3913]

Suave voz y excelente canción,el sello inconfundible de Suzanne.

[@karlroach6578]

I'm a metal,rock man,but Suzanne was music for my soul

[@Proudmule1]

LICK!

[@patkelly8309]

is still music for the soul

[@adamrawlings5614]

I was 16 when this was shown on tv late one night in England. I was enchanted, was in love with her and with her music from that point on

[@Whoa_Lisa]

That's where I found her I was only about 12-13 and probably shouldn't have been up but my Mum was a single working mother who was in bed by 9pm and could sleep through a war. I wasn't allowed TV in my room and the TV was only on for a few hours a day so I used to sneak downstairs and watch stuff like Prisoner Cell Block Hand discovered Suzanne Vega. To her credit, my mother allowed me as much music as I wanted and we could afford at the time.

[@JohnBrown-s5d]

I remember it perfectly adam. late night in concert at the bbc with annie nightingale. A great but sadly short lived show. I have followed suzanne vega ever since. From one disciple to another, great memories,

[@exactsame]

Such an emotionally intelligent artist

[@electricchurchmusic4298]

Outstanding

[@lyndellwilliams5890]

The 80's was the last great decade for music.

[@lyndellwilliams5890]

@electricchurchmusic4298 Since you gave me a like,here's one that you might want to check out just before the 80's decade 1979 to be more specific. Stevie Wonder's song and instrumental to go along with the song. You might want to check out the instrumental first to get you in the mood as it's just marvelous to listen to alone, not even including the song itself. Stevie Wonder (Send one your Love). Enjoy and give me your opinion afterwards.👍

[@MikeRes52]

Great artist. Saw her once in New York City. Great concert

[@dtsecofr21]

Wonderful version, great intro, and smashing guitar fills and solo by Marc Shulman.

[@robinsnell2231]

A Gentle Giant?

[@samyandkitty8399]

My all time fave song

[@kindbluey]

She is lovely & sharp.

[@patkelly8309]

Yet strangely smooth

[@wtorules4743]

I've always loved the drums in this. Fits the song perfectly.

[@corvavw6447]

Remenicances ❤😊

[@lyndellwilliams5890]

The 80's was the last best decade for diversity in pop hits. I didn't realize how good things were back then. I wish I could get in a time machine and never come back. These are the people who were and who should be the leaders of hit songs, and not so much Swift. 👍

[@ShawAnthoni]

First time hearing this and w love it ! Amazing how she switches between narration, being the character and commenting on the situation so clearly. Great performance, amazing writing.

[@edwardsmith3939]

One word to describe Brilliant

[@paolisimo1625]

What a sexy speaking voice. This is my late mom’s jam. Love this song. Miss you mom.

[@pipigymnl]

I saw her last week ago in the Netherlands and i loved it so much! She looks great!

[@Proudmule1]

last week.............ago

[@miguelgomez8956]

She seems to have written this song for me to like it in the future, I wasn't paying attention at the time, but now... I just can't get enough of it.

[@gisellamanno562]

BELLISSIMA!!!!!

[@maf57]

Si veramente bella e luminosa in questo concerto oltre che splendida cantautrice😊

[@zocco15az]

Haunting song so original🎼

[@jsmith3980]

Lovely....this song meant [back in the day] and means so much to me still.Many thanks for posting.x

[@Proudmule1]

'meant............' what?

[@joevtam]

Brilliant song!

[@dreamyblue44]

I was there too! What an incredible concert, happy memories :)

[@carlosquintanilla6104]

Buenissima......

[@MrFrampo56]

Utterly fantastic. Wish I’d seen her live. Superb song , very original.

[@tmac8892]

Fantastic

[@Daniel48203]

she was so adorable

[@renehuizinga3630]

Timeless, a true classic !

[@garydunn3037]

I have the complete concert from 1986 at the Royal Albert Hall, London. And it showcases Suzanne at the height of her career. I have been a fan of hers since those early years back in the late 80's. I really love her early stuff, not too keen on some of her later techno based tracks. Having said that, her acoustic stuff is wonderful, I love her "Up Close" four disc collection, in which she has stripped some of her best work right back to her basic acoustic roots. Its ultimate chill out music for me.

[@patkelly8309]

Techno lol That must have passed me by

[@alexandersgardencare7802]

Beautiful Performance!

[@matthewlardner5328]

And 35 years just disappeared 🙏🏻

[@lyndellwilliams5890]

With the way the so-called music industry is nowadays, I would dissappear too. Hahaha 😊

[@brookt3497]

What a great band...

[@MrBradius123]

love. takes me back to 87

[@ShaunFrere1]

Wonderful. Nothing else needs to be said.

[@easytech4174]

Amazing!!

[@alexpilgrim1659]

I saw her performing in Tel Aviv,Israel and she was wonderful,although there was only her and one awesome base player

[@Isewein]

Oh yes, 2015 at heichal hatarbut was magical. Loved her little anecdotes.

[@Proudmule1]

what did the bass player base his playing on?

[@tiedupsmurf]

Brilliant

[@swamisalami3000]

Teen crush.

[@lyndellwilliams5890]

Swift could learn something from this. Don't you wish you could get in a time machine and never come back?

[@Maganiusz]

Lubię tę piosenkę!

[@brad42948]

Ah, perfectly constructed solo there from Marc. Brilliant songwriting.

[@ОлегСилич-ф1о]

Она была в Минске!

[@eyalfix2550]

Such a pure looking woman and a great singer.

[@cumbiamarvel]

Hermosa! Da ganas de llevarla a casa!

[@carenzalarue8447]

fab song...... always have been ...

[@Proudmule1]

has

[@itssean3465]

Good song 👌😉

[@Nghaka123]

I was there too :)

[@dxx7570]

Excellent...I question though; very seriously the intent of the purple lighting, it's origins and it's group. The best advice...'When in doubt...'

[@andrewgalloway7344]

steve hackett solo in this ...?...would be savage..

[@roughdraught153]

looks like Rick Moranis is playing lead guitar!

[@theaswa]

.kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGmUe55rYpeqY7s is de orgn,1986 zo heb ik haar leren kennen/horen. ze heeft wel wat van jou stijl van zingen. grandioos vond er er toen al goed yori volgens mij was het toen ook een hit in de top ga door op deze weg. Sucses je oom Theo. ga door zo yory

[@hubertchodeweenkie]

3:16 honey i shrunk the kids!

[@10Duser]

Hubert Chodeweenkie Yes! I always thought he looked like Rick Moranis!

[@Mister_Inbetween]

Hubert Chodeweenkie no it’s Barney Rubble

[@ДаНет-д3э]

Asmr музыка 😜

[@fellowcitizen]

0:45

[@Bachrocks]

Rick Moranis on guitar??? 😁

[@gabrielamartinsdecarvalho6648]

only if I were like Marlena

[@kajikinohito5047]

素晴らしい

[@Avatarxz]

If that is true? Why were you not playing both guitar and bass with her at TRAH London? She seems to be happy with them...ya think? d;o)

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

She does a great job - but I'm afraid I much prefer the original guitar solo rather than the somewhat improvised version here.

[@adamluck6439]

weve all heard the album, its nice to see him do that one live

[@MatEnAlks]

Wdym it was fire as fuck

[@JD-eq4dp]

That guitarist is a strange cat !

[@ettieneterblanche290]

Suzanne is living in NYC in 1985/86, and I'm wondering how much influence hip hop phrasing has on this song? I guess she is rapping a bit?

[@eadler5929]

She was open to everything musically. I heard her speak at the YMHA . She grew up in Spanish Harlem (unusual ), attended a magnet school for aspiring performing artists. She then attended Barnatd College in NYC (a school of smart, pretty intense women) and simultaneously hung out with Lou Reed. She said punk did not interest her but it seems mire logical that hip hop would. Thank you for the observation.

[@KristinaUSA-x5n]

Not influenced by Hip Hop and Call Sign Vega Bosnia and Saint John’s has no connection to connection to trashy music.

[@southerner4566]

She starts singing at 1: 45 to save you wasting nearly 2 minutes listening to her talking crap.

[@buddyjesus1000]

Mate look at them and tell me again they don't look like a couple of bellends.

[@Cityzen1-p1n]

Old four eyes spoilt the song with that crap solo he should have copied the more melodic solo from the recording