 Nine Objects Of Desire (1996) [ larger cover art ] |
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Music & Lyrics by Suzanne Vega
If your love were taken from me
Every color would be black and white
It would be as flat as the world before Columbus
That's the day that I lose half my sight
If your life were taken from me
All the trees would freeze in this cold ground
It would be as cruel as the world before Columbus
Sail to the edge and I'd be there looking down
Those men who lust for land
And for riches strange and new
Who love those trinkets of desire
Oh they never will have you
And they'll never know the gold
Or the copper in your hair
How could they weigh the worth
Of you so rare
If your love were taken from me
Every light that's bright would soon go dim
It would be as dark as the world before Columbus
Down the waterfall and I'd swim over the brim
Those men who lust for land
And for riches strange and new
Who love those trinkets of desire
Oh they will never have you
And they'll never know the gold
Or the copper in your hair
How could they weigh the worth
Of you so rare
| Proclivities (Carrboro, NC) | Posted: Jul 16, 2012 - 11:16 tunebadger wrote: I think this is a reference to the supposed pre-Christopher Columbus belief that the world was flat rather than spherical... It's only 'cruel' because there's an edge which apparently she's standing on looking down. I don't think she's being ethnocentric, she's comparing colonial lust for 'land', 'riches strange and new' etc. unfavourably with lust for a person. Ms Vega is definitely not to everyone's taste though - my dad and I used to listen to this album when it came out, much to my mum's dismay... Thanks for noticing the obvious metaphorical content of this song. Apparently a lot of people here were not paying attention during high school or college literature classes, even if they are tossing around fifty-cent words. |
| unclehud (300 feet above the planet) | Posted: Dec 07, 2011 - 08:44 Strange collection of Nine Objects. |
| nicolewe | Posted: Aug 20, 2010 - 22:04  zzzzzzzzzzzzzz |
| MojoJojo (Indianapolis, IN USA) | Posted: May 17, 2010 - 07:30 Papernapkin wrote: I admire her retoucher. He is the apple of her eye. (sorry) |
| Papernapkin (Mountain View, CA) | Posted: Apr 15, 2010 - 13:18 I admire her retoucher. |
| vandal (arriving somewhere, but not here. . .) | Posted: Feb 11, 2010 - 09:05  |
| Joy4life (Central Coast, California (home of good wine, big fires)) | Posted: Feb 11, 2010 - 09:02 ambrebalte wrote: some months after, same segue, works for me too And it happens again.... |
| ambrebalte (Beijing) | Posted: Jan 10, 2010 - 22:14 DaMoGan wrote: Soundgarden "Fell on Black Days" to this? Somehow, it works; at least for me. some months after, same segue, works for me too |
| maikuumai | Posted: May 03, 2009 - 10:28 this really sounds nothing like tom's diner! i love it.  |
| DaMoGan (Body on the east coast, Mind in the west coast.) | Posted: May 03, 2009 - 10:23 Soundgarden "Fell on Black Days" to this? Somehow, it works; at least for me. |
| Tim_in_N_FL (Florida) | Posted: Nov 26, 2008 - 13:49 I love Suzanne's work but never ever want to hear "My Name is Luka" again. Her career will be better for it. From what I recall, she is a Barnard College graduate (NY, NY). Wonderful school...worked there for ~ 3 years in the early 90s and was completely impressed by the faculty, alums, and students who worked for me. The word "brilliant" comes to mind. Ms. Vega does not disappoint... |
| teapot (in orbit) | Posted: Nov 26, 2008 - 13:47 She wrote this song for her daughter Ruby. |
| tunebadger | Posted: Jul 23, 2008 - 03:50 EssexTex wrote: "It would be as flat / cruel / dark as the world before Columbo
EssexTex wrote: I think the sentiments in these lyrics represent the best sort of ethnocentricity and misandry
I think this is a reference to the supposed pre-Christopher Columbus belief that the world was flat rather than spherical... It's only 'cruel' because there's an edge which apparently she's standing on looking down. I don't think she's being ethnocentric, she's comparing colonial lust for 'land', 'riches strange and new' etc. unfavourably with lust for a person. Ms Vega is definitely not to everyone's taste though - my dad and I used to listen to this album when it came out, much to my mum's dismay... |
| EssexTex (Glorious Texas) | Posted: May 21, 2008 - 04:43 Paul_in_Australia wrote: So was there a World before Columbo?
Was it bleak and fit to be described only in pejorative terms? I need a cheesburger. "It would be as flat / cruel / dark as the world before Columbo Grrrr. Maybe Suzanne needs a history lesson. The indigenous peoples of America got on perfectly well before Columbo arrived. And there had been several civilsations in the World before the civilisation that spewed Columbo and the "Dukes of Hazzard" . Were those civilisations all 'cruel and dark'? What a sexy voice! And was Columbo 'just'a detective in a flasher mac? No he also invented the ball point pen and tantric sex. "Those men who lust for land also lust for Suzanne. And for riches strange and new, like a pressure washer. Who love those trinkets of desire Oh they will never have you" but they can have me anytime" I think the sentiments in these lyrics represent the best sort of ethnocentricity and misandry. Miss Vega, stay behind after class. I want to buy you a hot dog America!  |
| lee_sf (2nd floor, corner) | Posted: Oct 14, 2007 - 01:45 jennywho wrote: I hope I get a chance to see her live someday soon. She's amazing. She's touring, in San Francisco Nov 12 at The Fillmore. |
| CoYoT51 (Reims, FRANCE) | Posted: Sep 12, 2007 - 16:14 Bill, you're per-fect! Don't change a thing! Far one of the best tunes of Suzanne "angel's voice" Vega. |
| 1wolfy (Mission Viejo California) | Posted: Sep 12, 2007 - 16:13 nigelr wrote: A nice SV tune, evocative and thoughtful. |
| nigelr (Coffs Harbour, Australia) | Posted: May 25, 2007 - 15:28 A nice SV tune, evocative and thoughtful. |
| jennywho | Posted: Feb 20, 2007 - 12:43 I just like Suzanne more with every new song I hear. She's one of my top 5 favorite songwriters/poets of all time - but I still don't have all her albums (including this one). Adding this to my list.... I hope I get a chance to see her live someday soon. She's amazing. |
| Paul_in_Australia (Melbourne) | Posted: Jan 06, 2007 - 23:05 jasonv wrote: Gees Paul, you completely misunderstood her sentiment and the nature of her metaphor. Thanks for the feedback. Note to self; don't write comments when drunk. But I have re read her lyrics for the insight that I missed. Either it is as complex as a proposition by Wittgenstein, or it is as I perceived it through my wine goggles. Happy to be enlightened! |
| supergroverx (Los Angeles) | Posted: Dec 23, 2006 - 10:49 8. Wow, that's the highest i've ever gone on a post-solitudestanding suzanne tune. good one, sounds like the oldies. |
| veegez (Minnesoter) | Posted: Nov 24, 2006 - 07:37 hippiechick wrote: One of my fave SV songs, even if it isn't pc.
One of my faves also. And don't worry, it's totally pc, as I am positive that Paul_in_australia is NOT from planet Earth. |
| algrif (Slightly west of Zero) | Posted: Oct 26, 2006 - 02:17 AsInWestminster wrote: Ouch. Quick question: why would you automatically assume that the cruel, dark, flat world was North America? Couldn't she be talking about Europe before the Age of Exploration?
Think about it -- who has a reputation for believing that the world was flat? Not the Native Americans... You might also find Isaiah 40:22 interesting reading. Especially those who think the Bible is unscientific! |
| AsInWestminster (The District) | Posted: Oct 11, 2006 - 10:58 Ouch. Quick question: why would you automatically assume that the cruel, dark, flat world was North America? Couldn't she be talking about Europe before the Age of Exploration? Think about it -- who has a reputation for believing that the world was flat? Not the Native Americans... Paul_in_Australia wrote: So was there a World before Columbus?
Was it bleak and fit to be described only in pejorative terms? "It would be as flat / cruel / dark as the world before Columbus" Hmmm. Maybe Suzanne needs a history lesson. The indigenous peoples of America got on perfectly well before Columbus arrived. And there had been several civilsations in the World before the civilisation that spawned Columbus and the 'discovery' of the new World. Were those civilisations all 'cruel and dark'? And was Columbus 'just' a buccaneer? "Those men who lust for land And for riches strange and new Who love those trinkets of desire Oh they will never have you" I think the sentiments in these lyrics represent the worst sort of ethnocentricity and misandry. Miss Vega, stay behind after class and write an essay on "What the ancient Greeks can teach modern Americans" |
| Shesdifferent (Just visiting this planet) | Posted: Sep 12, 2006 - 03:00 This is such an excellent album.  |
| hippiechick | Posted: Aug 28, 2006 - 11:52 One of my fave SV songs, even if it isn't pc. |
| veegez (Minnesoter) | Posted: May 03, 2006 - 17:14 Paul_in_Australia wrote: So was there a World before Columbus?
Was it bleak and fit to be described only in pejorative terms? "It would be as flat / cruel / dark as the world before Columbus" Hmmm. Maybe Suzanne needs a history lesson. The indigenous peoples of America got on perfectly well before Columbus arrived. And there had been several civilsations in the World before the civilisation that spawned Columbus and the 'discovery' of the new World. Were those civilisations all 'cruel and dark'? And was Columbus 'just' a buccaneer? "Those men who lust for land And for riches strange and new Who love those trinkets of desire Oh they will never have you" I think the sentiments in these lyrics represent the worst sort of ethnocentricity and misandry. Miss Vega, stay behind after class and write an essay on "What the ancient Greeks can teach modern Americans" This. This! Is a BIG smile. :) |
| jasonv | Posted: Mar 20, 2006 - 14:51 Paul_in_Australia wrote: So was there a World before Columbus?
Gees Paul, you completely misunderstood her sentiment and the nature of her metaphor. |
| Paul_in_Australia (Melbourne) | Posted: Mar 05, 2006 - 20:28 So was there a World before Columbus? Was it bleak and fit to be described only in pejorative terms? "It would be as flat / cruel / dark as the world before Columbus" Hmmm. Maybe Suzanne needs a history lesson. The indigenous peoples of America got on perfectly well before Columbus arrived. And there had been several civilsations in the World before the civilisation that spawned Columbus and the 'discovery' of the new World. Were those civilisations all 'cruel and dark'? And was Columbus 'just' a buccaneer? "Those men who lust for land And for riches strange and new Who love those trinkets of desire Oh they will never have you" I think the sentiments in these lyrics represent the worst sort of ethnocentricity and misandry. Miss Vega, stay behind after class and write an essay on "What the ancient Greeks can teach modern Americans" |
| iMacomania (Bavaria - Germany) | Posted: Jan 06, 2006 - 06:28 Mari wrote: "Those men who lust for land
And for riches strange and new Who love those trinkets of desire Oh they will never have you And they'll never know the gold Or the copper in your hair How could they weigh the worth Of you so rare" 
 |
| Thea (Sacto) | Posted: Oct 25, 2005 - 11:12 evidently she wrote this song about her daughter, and whenever I think about that while listening to this song, it makes me feel so sad. |
| kerr (Up a bit) | Posted: Oct 25, 2005 - 08:38 Click on Then Then mojoman wrote: I have every album she released, but forgive my technical ignorance: how do I upload something? |
| rascal420 (Truckee, CA - 5000 feet above Paradise) | Posted: Jul 28, 2005 - 15:21 I used to have a Vega. |
| ObsidianInfinity (upstate New York) | Posted: May 01, 2005 - 11:12 I'm sorry, but this is horrendous. |
| radiojunkie (New York/Connecticut Border) | Posted: Feb 16, 2005 - 21:25 Not even getting into her voice and songwriting, I've noticed that the production quality on all of Suzanne's albums is truly excellent.  |
| mojoman (Rocky Mountains, Colorado) | Posted: Jan 18, 2005 - 09:58 chasech5 wrote: Ditto on more Vega. Uploads, anyone?
I have every album she released, but forgive my technical ignorance: how do I upload something? |
| moon_shadow (Saltspring Island, BC Canada) | Posted: Dec 19, 2004 - 21:06 Foot was tappin' :) |
| chasech5 (East Lansing, MI) | Posted: Oct 07, 2004 - 00:26 Ditto on more Vega. Uploads, anyone? |
| rulebritannia (Deep in the English countryside) | Posted: Sep 07, 2004 - 13:32 toastee wrote: yep...like another Suzanne Vega song...so far so good...I may be a fan soon 8-< I was never a big fan, but I can can add SV my RP turn-on list.
|
| Shimmer (Bethesda, MD) | Posted: Jun 15, 2004 - 15:15 wiflyer wrote: I have always thought Suzanne Vega was pretty dull, marginal. :???:
Well, you've always been wrong! |
| bigpomp (Right in front of my Mac) | Posted: Jun 02, 2004 - 09:54 My favorite Suzanne Vega album. Very sexy. |
| toastee (Erie Pa) | Posted: Dec 22, 2003 - 13:47 yep...like another Suzanne Vega song...so far so good...I may be a fan soon 8-< |
| jayladdin (New York City) | Posted: Oct 01, 2003 - 06:57 What a beautiful, smooth voice she has. Let's hear more from her. |
| Drunkenlilacwine (Brampton, ON) | Posted: Sep 10, 2003 - 19:48 anything from suzanne vega is good stuff. got hooked from the song Luka and book of dreams. excellent songwriter. |
| veegez (Burnsville, mn) | Posted: Aug 21, 2003 - 10:59 Beautiful. |
| B-dub (Durham, NC) | Posted: Jul 01, 2003 - 09:00 :D one of my favorite S. Vega songs. |
| Leslie (under a rock in Antioch, CA (155 mi. south of RP)) | Posted: Jun 10, 2003 - 23:26 I don't know if she writes her own songs, but if she does they are great!  I have yet to hear a Suzanne Vega song (here on RP) that I dislike. |
| mfassett (Redwood City, CA) | Posted: May 31, 2003 - 18:34 It's funny... it's hard to believe how many people like to trash her just because she had an 80's hit. How about getting out of the 80's and listening to her music? This is a GREAT song. I agree, though... if you don't have a child, you may not ever 'get' this song. I do, and do... :) |
| eval (LA) | Posted: May 31, 2003 - 18:24 My name is Puka, I will make you hear me sing some more. |
| keenevision (Needham Hts, MA) | Posted: Feb 18, 2003 - 20:06 I have always loved the 'feel' of her music. ok, not "Luka", but you can't say she isn't distinctive 
Hey, play "Tom's Diner" and see how many people trash it!  |