294: Suzanne Vega

Legendary singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega looks back at her remarkable career — and forward to her new album, Flying with Angels, her first collection of original songs in nearly a decade.

From the moment she emerged in the 1980s with her self-titled debut and follow-up Solitude Standing, Vega has occupied a singular space in popular music. Known for her literate lyrics, calm delivery, and understated innovation, she became an unlikely pop star with songs like “Luka” — a devastating portrait of abuse — and “Tom’s Diner,” which began as an a cappella sketch and became a surprise dance hit, later used in the development of the MP3 format.

Vega discusses how those early hits shaped her identity, and how she’s maintained a relationship with her past work while continuing to evolve as an artist. She shares stories behind her biggest songs, her longtime collaborations (including with producer and ex-husband Mitchell Froom), and her connection to a vibrant downtown New York songwriting community that included figures like Jack Hardy and Fast Folk magazine.

She also reflects on the new material, including the haunting “Mariaupol,” inspired by the war in Ukraine, and “Rats,” inspired during the lockdown in New York. These songs mark a subtle shift for Vega: from her usual allegorical storytelling to more direct commentary and bearing witness to events in real time.

Along the way, the conversation touches on Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, motherhood, stagecraft, artistic responsibility, and the strange alchemy of simplicity and resonance. Vega shares anecdotes from her life on tour, her early performances (including a childhood appearance at Pete Seeger’s feet), and her unexpected intersections with technology and culture.