On Suzanne Vega's album, it's just her voice with no music. 100% acapella. The producers who call themselves 'DNA' took her vocal & added the music. They also rearranged some of her verses. They did this without her knowledge. Three years later, she found out DNA had made the remix. She was worried about how it would sound, since there were bad parodies of her big hit "Luka." She was totally surprised when she heard it. She still thought it would just play at a few clubs & that would be it. When it came out as a single, it went top 10 & imprinted itself into the minds of all of us unsuspecting music lovers. 😊
Karlheinz Brandenburg at Fraunhofer IIS used the song to test and develop the MP3 format, as the rendering of Suzanne Vega's voice wasn't quite right yet. Mr. Brandenburg knew from a hi-fi magazine, that the song was used to test speakers.
It's a cool song. They actually used her song without permission, so she let them have a credit and released it herself! You should check out her song Blood Makes Noise for another side of Suzanne Vega.
One of my favorite artists of all times. She also has great range/diversity from album to album. Here are my top 3 to showcase that "Left of Center", "Blood Makes Noise" & "Caramel"
This is one of my all time favorites! I get lost in its mesmerizing melody. I can relate to this song a lot, as I've spent a lot of time wandering throughout my day, watching people, kind of outside the action looking in.
The story behind this collaboration is SO cool! Vega did the single accapella on her album, then DNA put this EDM beat behind it. Vega heard it and they came to terms, shared the credit for the remix and it was a hit. 🥰
I’m not the first to mention it, but- yes this has much to do with the development of MP3 compression. The original version of the song was a cappella, which provided a challenge: compressing the sound of the human voice, but the DNA mix has the bass and beats which complicates things further. It’s worth checking out the history on Wikipedia.
Love this song! Another fantastic Suzanne Vega collab was a duet called “In a Lonely Place” that she sang with the late Pat DiNizio on the album “Especially for You” by The Smithereens. It has this sultry bossa nova vibe to it, and is so different from other songs by The Smithereens. Most of their music is very hard-driven.
Love this song so much! It's such a great song and it buries into the brain. Suzanne always had a way with words by just telling a story with her easy voice. Britney Spears did a version of it around 2015, and Vega was very impressed. I was too! Give it a listen.
originally released as an a cappella opening track to her album's success song, "Luca", this song was reintroduced by DNA in 1990 (ah, the last decade of musical explosion of creativity), and it was the first a cappella which was also used by Karlheinz Brandenburg to develop the audio compression scheme known as MP3!! she later was invited in 2013 to sing the song for a live recording onto a wax cylinder at Thomas Edison National Historical Park, as part of an AES event!! i dare say, if it weren't for her original a cappella song, MP3 compression may not have been invented in quite the same format so many humans now consume music w/the least amount of digital size.. can you even imagine that? thank you once again for your reaction!
Thank you so much for reacting to this brilliant song. The original was fabulous but this was also good. Please react to more by Suzanne Vega - 'My name is Luca' is a particular favourite.
I know Luka really affected you so I'm glad you had fun with this one. It's just such a lovely departure from the norm with music. Just spoken word and chill. Makes me wanna stroll around and chat with people.
This is an amazing song. Its a shame a lot of people only know it for the sample clip used by Fall Out Boy, but it also did bring the song back to the forefront so hey... mixed blessing
Memories of a family holiday to Cornwall, summer (heatwave) 1990. Recommendation for your earlobes. Continuing the 90’s vibe, Oui 3 - Break From The Old Routine.
Whenever I get a song of any sort stuck in my head (sometimes for days), I just sing this song. Then BOOM. All gone and Suzanne Vega is telling me about her experience at the diner.
This song rode the wave of Soul 11 Soul sounding house beats into the top ten on the Hot 100 and to number two in the UK, and number thirteen on the Dance Club Play chart
Cool 90s song, one of the biggest hits. A bunch of artists sent their version so she did a compilation album called "Tom s album" one sing that it made it on the album was "daddy s little girl" by nikki d who sampled "tom s diner" this is the video: ua-cam.com/video/SV99UaAcz6A/v-deo.html
There is an a capella version (the original one) with a few additional lines that add to this a seemingly silly song some sad and melodramatic aftertaste.
I want the 80’s back!! I loved this, but I did need a breather from how often I heard it back then… its a really good! And yes, it’s 80’s , not quite 90’s… 🖤🙂
Oh my gosh, you reacted to this! This song is so fascinating, with interesting beginnings. I did a whole podcast episode about it. How she wrote it in the early '80s, sang it a cappella (though she intended to have a little tinkly piano in there), and then DNA "borrowed" it for this house remix. The label were going to sue DNA, but Suzanne thought this was so interesting and cool, they decided to let it roll. Still can't believe how fresh this sounds. That rolling bass. The beat. Perfectly detached and outside everything. A lot of people think this song is about nothing. But it's about isolation and people watching. Watch her sing this a cappella on BBC TV, it's a gem. Her charisma, the simplicity of the delivery...kind of magical. ua-cam.com/video/DkYPge6ZKSQ/v-deo.html
Oh MAN! One of the best songs like this it’s even better is called the phone booth song. !! That’s one of those that you don’t see on the top 20 list of the 90s but probably on a lot of the hidden gems of the 90s. The full name is called standing outside of a broken phone Booth with change in my hand.
Please review the music video for “Daddy’s Little Girl” by the rapper Nikki D. It’s basically her rapping grimly over this beat. That song was included on a compilation of tons of versions & remixes of “Tom’s Diner,” titled Tom’s Album. I saw the SV / DNA video and the Nikki D video frequently on the Jukebox channel (later called simply The Box) circa 1991. The early ‘90s were a mind-blowing time for music, though I believe the ‘80s were the best musical decade overall.
This song was the jam and still is and yes, is it random but she made it work and chased in on it! Cha Ching! 🕺🏽💃🙌🙌🙌 I’m binge watching your channel today. 😁😆
for some reason you said something that made something click in my head and I thought about this song I havnt heard in ages. AB Logic - The Hitman. Great tune if you ever get the chance. One of the lost ones from the 90s
Another catchy tune you will NOT be able to get out of your head is Crystal Waters - "Gypsy Woman", she also has another song called "100% Pure Love". Check them both out!
I was working in a nightclub when this came out. DJ dropped it, he must have had an advance copy. Everyone just stopped and listened. Which NEVER happened. Context is that everyone knew the Susan Vega version, and what DNA did to it was unexpected and perfect. And everyone just got it.
On Suzanne Vega's album, it's just her voice with no music. 100% acapella. The producers who call themselves 'DNA' took her vocal & added the music. They also rearranged some of her verses. They did this without her knowledge. Three years later, she found out DNA had made the remix. She was worried about how it would sound, since there were bad parodies of her big hit "Luka." She was totally surprised when she heard it. She still thought it would just play at a few clubs & that would be it. When it came out as a single, it went top 10 & imprinted itself into the minds of all of us unsuspecting music lovers. 😊
When the MP3 protocol was created, this song was the first one officially converted in that format - ever.
This song made history, literally.
Cheers!
Karlheinz Brandenburg at Fraunhofer IIS used the song to test and develop the MP3 format, as the rendering of Suzanne Vega's voice wasn't quite right yet. Mr. Brandenburg knew from a hi-fi magazine, that the song was used to test speakers.
The original one
It's a cool song. They actually used her song without permission, so she let them have a credit and released it herself! You should check out her song Blood Makes Noise for another side of Suzanne Vega.
Bllod Makes Noise is a masterpiece .
I would put Blood Makes Noise and Army of Me by Bjork back to back! Awesome songs with bass that gets into your bones.
I believe Grimes must’ve been heavily influenced by “Blood Makes Noise”
For art lovers, this song always makes me think of the painting “Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper.
This song was a huge hit because it was so different sounding and because of that beat.
One of my favorite artists of all times. She also has great range/diversity from album to album. Here are my top 3 to showcase that "Left of Center", "Blood Makes Noise" & "Caramel"
They sampled "keep on movin" by Soul II Soul. Another great group of the same period.
Really?? I gotta listen to that...
This is the version we all heard first. It’s the one that made the charts. The actor that died was William Holden.
I loooooove Suzanne Vega!
99.9 Fahrenheit Degrees and In Liverpool are two of my favs of hers!
Yessssss
This is one of my all time favorites! I get lost in its mesmerizing melody. I can relate to this song a lot, as I've spent a lot of time wandering throughout my day, watching people, kind of outside the action looking in.
The story behind this collaboration is SO cool! Vega did the single accapella on her album, then DNA put this EDM beat behind it. Vega heard it and they came to terms, shared the credit for the remix and it was a hit. 🥰
Another 90s hit that will stay in your head is Cantaloop Flip Fantasia by U3. It is actually a jazz tune that they ramped up and added hip hop to.
Thank you for that mention. Love it!
The original is from 1987
I was a Diner waitress for years. She really catches the mood of a counter in a Diner. You care so right about the coffee.
Back in the day she was so great and unique. I NEVER knew the title. I loved this unnamed song!
There is probably only audio but if you can find “The Queen and the Soldier” I think you’d like it. It’s a storyteller for sure.
This song and Soul II Soul "back to Life" always got the dancing going in the club back in the 90's. The good stuff!
I’m not the first to mention it, but- yes this has much to do with the development of MP3 compression. The original version of the song was a cappella, which provided a challenge: compressing the sound of the human voice, but the DNA mix has the bass and beats which complicates things further. It’s worth checking out the history on Wikipedia.
Love this song! Another fantastic Suzanne Vega collab was a duet called “In a Lonely Place” that she sang with the late Pat DiNizio on the album “Especially for You” by The Smithereens. It has this sultry bossa nova vibe to it, and is so different from other songs by The Smithereens. Most of their music is very hard-driven.
Also, do you recognize that bit that Fall Out Boy sampled for their song?
She has some amazing hits. Marlene on the Wall, Luka, Solitude Standing, Knight Moves, Left of Centre.
Yes, i love Luka , too. was a big hit either
For more close to this era, go look up Cantaloop and My Definition (Of a Boombastic Jazz Style)
I was born 79 in uk
This track was my youth
That bass still tUmps
So glad you did this one! Now go listen to her original version too…
Love this song so much! It's such a great song and it buries into the brain. Suzanne always had a way with words by just telling a story with her easy voice. Britney Spears did a version of it around 2015, and Vega was very impressed. I was too! Give it a listen.
This is a great song. Another great, but groovier one in this genre is 'Little Fluffy Clouds' by The Orb.
This was THE BEAT in the 90's. It was used on countless club tracks.
originally released as an a cappella opening track to her album's success song, "Luca", this song was reintroduced by DNA in 1990 (ah, the last decade of musical explosion of creativity), and it was the first a cappella which was also used by Karlheinz Brandenburg to develop the audio compression scheme known as MP3!! she later was invited in 2013 to sing the song for a live recording onto a wax cylinder at Thomas Edison National Historical Park, as part of an AES event!! i dare say, if it weren't for her original a cappella song, MP3 compression may not have been invented in quite the same format so many humans now consume music w/the least amount of digital size.. can you even imagine that? thank you once again for your reaction!
Now this will be in my head all night haha! I love the beat to this song, it is so catchy.
I think it’s the same beat sample from Soul II Soul “Back To Life.”
@@adnap Why don’t you just mention that one song by PM Dawn if you want me to go listen to some more old music.
Simple and brilliant, really. Once you hear it, you will never unhear it. Every writer could only hope to achieve what Suzanne achieved. ❤️
Thank you so much for reacting to this brilliant song. The original was fabulous but this was also good. Please react to more by Suzanne Vega - 'My name is Luca' is a particular favourite.
I know Luka really affected you so I'm glad you had fun with this one. It's just such a lovely departure from the norm with music. Just spoken word and chill. Makes me wanna stroll around and chat with people.
Other great songs from her:
- Left Of Center
- Marlene On The Wall
- Small Blue Thing
I hadn't heard this song in ages. ... THANKS!!
Master level storytelling. One of my all time favourites. Thanks Jay!
Great reaction! Totally agree, JV, Tom's Diner is the king of all earworms!
This is an amazing song. Its a shame a lot of people only know it for the sample clip used by Fall Out Boy, but it also did bring the song back to the forefront so hey... mixed blessing
Memories of a family holiday to Cornwall, summer (heatwave) 1990.
Recommendation for your earlobes. Continuing the 90’s vibe, Oui 3 - Break From The Old Routine.
I’m pleased the younger generation are finding our music from 60s onwards and enjoying it
Catchy!!! I’ve got PTSD from hearing this on the radio so many times back in the day! I thought I liked it, it was good, I overdosed…
I love how dna rearranged the song and added all these changes that made it the big hit it was
Whenever I get a song of any sort stuck in my head (sometimes for days), I just sing this song. Then BOOM. All gone and Suzanne Vega is telling me about her experience at the diner.
I was thinking about suggesting both of Tom’s Diner songs a while back. Glad you got to see it. Love both versions.
Thanks for doing this one, I can never put my finger on what it is about this song but I find it mesmerising
This song rode the wave of Soul 11 Soul sounding house beats into the top ten on the Hot 100 and to number two in the UK, and number thirteen on the Dance Club Play chart
Never thought about it before, but now that some people have mentioned it this does sound a bit like Soul II Soul's Keep on Moving
Song became huge for the hip hop community after it came out. Timeless classic!!
I love what the guys did with this song, but I still prefer the purity and stillness of the original by Suzanne Vega.
Sooo glad you are doing this...fantastic 80's dance track.
Love this song! Hoping someone would react to it. I will add another request to the pile for Us3 "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)".
My buddy had a Toyota , the entire backseat and trunk was filled with woofers and amps. This song damn near blew the windows out.
Yes, nice beat!💃
There is an entire album of different versions of this song. One of them is set to the theme music from the show "I Dream of Jeannie".
This was the first song that has been encoded in MP3, because it contains all samples needed for testing a song.
My sister had the lyrics to this song written in nice script on her bedroom door when we were kids.
Such a great song. Something I listened to a lot in the early 90's.
I love this version better than her acapella! DNA made it a club dance sensation.
Jayvee ... please do White Town - Your Woman ... the song has a similar vibe to this one
Oooooh, Grade 9 Flashbacks... 😳 (Must resist doing the Kid n Play Kickstep...)
Another great Suzanne Vega song "Caramel" Also "Marlene on the Wall" (her first big hot).
Cool 90s song, one of the biggest hits. A bunch of artists sent their version so she did a compilation album called "Tom s album" one sing that it made it on the album was "daddy s little girl" by nikki d who sampled "tom s diner" this is the video: ua-cam.com/video/SV99UaAcz6A/v-deo.html
One of my favourite songs in a perfect remix - so brilliant ! 👉LOVE IT👈
Yes, it was real. There is an album Suzanne compiled of songs that were inspired by the remix. Tom's Album...
BTW, my college roommate worked on the video for Luca. Did location-searches in NYC.
Great song, great reaction. Please react to another Suzanne Vega.....Marlene on the Wall
There is an a capella version (the original one) with a few additional lines that add to this a seemingly silly song some sad and melodramatic aftertaste.
This was HUUUGGGEEEE in the UK when it came out (this version)
EVERYTHING 90'S IS THE ISH JAYVEE C'MON MAYN!✌🤣🎶💯
Yes! So ready- this has a GROOVE to it for sure! 💃💃💃💃About to watch- 💜🔥👍
I want the 80’s back!! I loved this, but I did need a breather from how often I heard it back then… its a really good! And yes, it’s 80’s , not quite 90’s… 🖤🙂
Miss the 80's also but i think this is a 90's. Original is 80's but the DNA one is 92
@@davidbennett5354 yeah, the original was ‘84… it was remixed in ‘89 & public in early ‘90 … correct..
It peaked on the charts in 1991
Oh my gosh, you reacted to this! This song is so fascinating, with interesting beginnings. I did a whole podcast episode about it. How she wrote it in the early '80s, sang it a cappella (though she intended to have a little tinkly piano in there), and then DNA "borrowed" it for this house remix. The label were going to sue DNA, but Suzanne thought this was so interesting and cool, they decided to let it roll.
Still can't believe how fresh this sounds. That rolling bass. The beat. Perfectly detached and outside everything. A lot of people think this song is about nothing. But it's about isolation and people watching. Watch her sing this a cappella on BBC TV, it's a gem. Her charisma, the simplicity of the delivery...kind of magical. ua-cam.com/video/DkYPge6ZKSQ/v-deo.html
Oh MAN! One of the best songs like this it’s even better is called the phone booth song. !! That’s one of those that you don’t see on the top 20 list of the 90s but probably on a lot of the hidden gems of the 90s. The full name is called standing outside of a broken phone Booth with change in my hand.
Timeless
“JUMPIN JACK FLASH ITS A GAS GAS GAS!” “TEHEHEHEHEHE!!!”
This was my go-to karaoke song back in the day. Didn't even need the lyrics or music.
This song takes me back to the good time I love it👍❤❤
I have always liked this song and I never knew who sang it. It is very catchy 🎶 😁
One of the most catchy melodies, isn't it?
Another classic song.
Great one, J. I don't think I ever heard this version, but the other was popular when I was young. This is way better way.
Please review the music video for “Daddy’s Little Girl” by the rapper Nikki D. It’s basically her rapping grimly over this beat. That song was included on a compilation of tons of versions & remixes of “Tom’s Diner,” titled Tom’s Album.
I saw the SV / DNA video and the Nikki D video frequently on the Jukebox channel (later called simply The Box) circa 1991.
The early ‘90s were a mind-blowing time for music, though I believe the ‘80s were the best musical decade overall.
Nice Nice Nice this is a jam
This song was the jam and still is and yes, is it random but she made it work and chased in on it! Cha Ching! 🕺🏽💃🙌🙌🙌 I’m binge watching your channel today. 😁😆
for some reason you said something that made something click in my head and I thought about this song I havnt heard in ages. AB Logic - The Hitman. Great tune if you ever get the chance. One of the lost ones from the 90s
Another catchy tune you will NOT be able to get out of your head is Crystal Waters - "Gypsy Woman", she also has another song called "100% Pure Love". Check them both out!
Reaching number 2 in the UK in 1990
Yes a very catchy/ simple song. One last attempt to get you to watch/ listen to Beverly Hills by Weezer 😀👍
I always loved that Song and I am now looking forward to YOUR first day Song 🙃
Soul II Soul and Nu Shuz, please!
Omg!Love this song and Suzanne Vega!!
fun fact - Nick Batt from ua-cam.com/users/sonicstate was one half of DNA.
I was working in a nightclub when this came out. DJ dropped it, he must have had an advance copy. Everyone just stopped and listened. Which NEVER happened. Context is that everyone knew the Susan Vega version, and what DNA did to it was unexpected and perfect. And everyone just got it.
susanne vega “luka” bittersweet song
Another song in the same vein that you should listen to is "Walking Down Madison" by Kirsty Maccoll.
Brilliant watching you hearing this for first time sir. I'd love to see your reaction to the original acapella.👍👍👍
Ha! I'm so happy you did this one!
The beat is very Jazzie B - but you've already reacted to "Back To Life" JayVee
Love this song sm! Great reaction bri
Loved this song right frim when I heard the acapella version by Suzanne Vega. A sample of this was used on Centuries by Fall Out Boy. Check it out.
Hey, cool fun fact. Thanks.
Check out Tom's Album. Tom's Album has a bunch of songs sung in the style of Tom's Diner
A classic