"Marlene on the Wall" is a song by American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega. In addition to being her debut single, it appears on her self-titled debut album, released in 1985.
| "Marlene on the Wall" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cover of the 1986 re-release (7") | ||||
| Single by Suzanne Vega | ||||
| from the album Suzanne Vega | ||||
| B-side | "Neighbourhood Girls" | |||
| Studio | Celestial Sound (New York City) | |||
| Genre | Folk[1] | |||
| Length | 3:37 | |||
| Label | A&M | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Suzanne Vega | |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Suzanne Vega singles chronology | ||||
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While the song failed to make any impact on the charts with its initial release, it became Vega's first top 40 hit in the UK upon a re-release in 1986.[2] It has gone on to become one of Vega's best-known songs[3] and has been included on the greatest hits albums Tried & True and Retrospective.
Background
editThe title of the song refers to actress Marlene Dietrich.[4] Inspired by a poster of the actress, Vega said of the song: "I was thinking, 'If Marlene really had eyes that could see – if she was actually a sentient being, instead of just a picture on my wall – what advice would she give me and what was to be seen?'"[5]
While Vega felt unsure about the song at first, considering it too private and obscure, her guitarist at the time, John Gordon, convinced her to keep the song as a show-opener due to its upbeat nature.[5]
Spin wrote the song is "on the small scale... about a troubled, even masochistic relationship; on the big scale its [sic] about the limits of what one will endure in the name of love."[6]
Reception
editUpon its original release, "Marlene on the Wall" failed to gain much success, stalling at number 83 on the UK charts.[7] However, after being re-released in 1986, it became her first top 40 hit, peaking at number 21.[2] It remains her highest-charting song in the UK.[disputed – discuss] The song found its greatest success in Ireland, where it peaked at number 9, becoming her first top 10 hit in any country.[8]
Track listing
editAll songs written by Suzanne Vega.
Original release
- "Marlene on the Wall" – 3:37
- "Neighbourhood Girls" – 3:19
1986 re-release (7")
- "Marlene on the Wall" – 3:37
- "Small Blue Thing" (Live) – 3:56
1986 re-release (10")
Side one
- "Marlene on the Wall" – 3:37
- "Neighbourhood Girls" – 3:19
Side two
- "Small Blue Thing" (Live) – 3:56
- "Straight Lines" (Live) – 3:48
Personnel
edit- Suzanne Vega – acoustic guitar, vocals
- Sue Evans – drums
- John Gordon – electric guitar
- Frank Gavis – bass guitar
- C.P. Roth – synthesizer
Charts
edit| Chart (1985–1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] | 39 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] | 13 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] | 27 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 9 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[2] | 21 |
References
edit- ^ "Suzanne Vega - Marlene on the Wall (EP)". AllMusic. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Bond, Chris (February 28, 2019). "Interview: Suzanne Vega". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Vega, Suzanne. "Suzanne Vega: Inside the Mysteries, Part 1". American Songwriter (Interview). Interviewed by Paul Zollo. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Vega, Suzanne (November 18, 2022). "Suzanne Vega: "I love the acoustic guitar – I always have. I love the sound of it. I love playing it. I love the look of it. I love everything about it"". Guitar World (Interview). Interviewed by Jamie Dickson. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
- ^ Gary Kenton (July 1985). "Spins". Spin. No. 3. p. 31.
- ^ "Official Charts > Suzanne Vega". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Marlene on the Wall". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ "Australian ARIA Chart – Top 50 Singles: Week Ending 27th April, 1986". ARIA. Retrieved July 19, 2024 – via Imgur.com.
- ^ "Suzanne Vega – Marlene on the Wall" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ "Suzanne Vega – Marlene on the Wall" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
