Suzanne Vega — Stockings
Album: Nine Objects Of DesireAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1293
Length: 3:23
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I don't care for tights, she says
and does not tell me why
She hikes her skirt above her knee
revealing one brown thigh
I see, I say, and wonder at
her slender little fingers
How cleverly they pull upon
the threads of recent slumbers
Do you know where friendship ends
and passion does begin?
It's between the binding of
her stockings and her skin.
(oh yeah)
She stayed up so late I thought
she'd ask me to go dance
But something in the way she laughed
told me I had no chance
The fiction in her family
was that she was never nice
I'd say she was very
I just did not see the price
Do you know where friendship ends
and passion does begin?
When the gin and tonic
makes the room begin to spin.
(oh yeah)
There may be attraction here
but it will never flower
So I'm assigned to read her mind, now
in this witching hour
Here's no game for those who claim
to be easily bruised
But how can I complain
when she's so easily amused?
Do you know where friendship ends
and passion does begin?
(When she does not show you
the way out on the way in) --
It's between the binding
of her stockings and her skin.
(oh yeah)
and does not tell me why
She hikes her skirt above her knee
revealing one brown thigh
I see, I say, and wonder at
her slender little fingers
How cleverly they pull upon
the threads of recent slumbers
Do you know where friendship ends
and passion does begin?
It's between the binding of
her stockings and her skin.
(oh yeah)
She stayed up so late I thought
she'd ask me to go dance
But something in the way she laughed
told me I had no chance
The fiction in her family
was that she was never nice
I'd say she was very
I just did not see the price
Do you know where friendship ends
and passion does begin?
When the gin and tonic
makes the room begin to spin.
(oh yeah)
There may be attraction here
but it will never flower
So I'm assigned to read her mind, now
in this witching hour
Here's no game for those who claim
to be easily bruised
But how can I complain
when she's so easily amused?
Do you know where friendship ends
and passion does begin?
(When she does not show you
the way out on the way in) --
It's between the binding
of her stockings and her skin.
(oh yeah)
Comments (96)add comment
Saw her in Milwaukee in 2022 and she still has an amazing voice, guitar work and stage presence. So glad I got to see her.
has she ever put out a bad album?
thewheedle wrote:
Not really
you put the lime in the coconut
Not really
The hint of Rhodes is an awesome production piece… who produced this?? off I go…
Nice. Got this album, and signed to me ☺
Suzanne Vega just happened to be in my neck of the woods on my B'Day and my then girlfriend gave it to me as a present. That was one cool gift! :)
Suzanne Vega just happened to be in my neck of the woods on my B'Day and my then girlfriend gave it to me as a present. That was one cool gift! :)
AHHHH. I own this CD but haven't listened to it in forever. Pleasantly surprised to hear it here just now... and even more pleased that it still sounds fresh, offbeat (as per all Suzanne Vega), and provocative. 
pfreet wrote:
Really?
This song sounds way too much like her song Blood Makes Noise. Hard to tell them apart.
Really?
This song sounds way too much like her song Blood Makes Noise. Hard to tell them apart.
user4176 wrote:
She's not boring at all, but one of the top female singer/songwriters of the last decades (and not really my thing).
She just has a few serious flaws that need to be adressed by a particular RP-crowd: 1. she is female - big mistake. 2. she does her thing - how preposterous. 3. she is not easily put in a drawer - what was she thinking. 4. it's neither Hendrix nor Pink Floyd, no Rolling Stone, not even a measly Knopfler - is that even music?
So, all in all, she clearly had it coming.
That is a clever comment and I agree in principle but not in quantity. Seems to me that the lovers outnumber the haters.❤️❤️❤️
She's not boring at all, but one of the top female singer/songwriters of the last decades (and not really my thing).
She just has a few serious flaws that need to be adressed by a particular RP-crowd: 1. she is female - big mistake. 2. she does her thing - how preposterous. 3. she is not easily put in a drawer - what was she thinking. 4. it's neither Hendrix nor Pink Floyd, no Rolling Stone, not even a measly Knopfler - is that even music?
So, all in all, she clearly had it coming.
That is a clever comment and I agree in principle but not in quantity. Seems to me that the lovers outnumber the haters.❤️❤️❤️
If Donovan sounded like Suzan he would be Vega
ober9000 wrote:
only if they're wearing glasses
Especially if they're only wearing glasses...8-)
Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
only if they're wearing glasses
Especially if they're only wearing glasses...8-)
Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
RobRyan wrote:
She's not boring at all, but one of the top female singer/songwriters of the last decades (and not really my thing).
She just has a few serious flaws that need to be adressed by a particular RP-crowd: 1. she is female - big mistake. 2. she does her thing - how preposterous. 3. she is not easily put in a drawer - what was she thinking. 4. it's neither Hendrix nor Pink Floyd, no Rolling Stone, not even a measly Knopfler - is that even music?
So, all in all, she clearly had it coming.
I'm surprised at the comments that Suzanne Vega is boring. I find her to be one of the most interesting and creative artists out there, both in terms of lyrics and music. This one gets an "8" from me, which is probably a little below my average rating for her songs.
She's not boring at all, but one of the top female singer/songwriters of the last decades (and not really my thing).
She just has a few serious flaws that need to be adressed by a particular RP-crowd: 1. she is female - big mistake. 2. she does her thing - how preposterous. 3. she is not easily put in a drawer - what was she thinking. 4. it's neither Hendrix nor Pink Floyd, no Rolling Stone, not even a measly Knopfler - is that even music?
So, all in all, she clearly had it coming.
8. Another great singer-songwriter put thru the RP comments gender meat grinder.
Interesting
Hey,Bill, I thought you always followed a Dylan cover with The Bob himself. another tradition gone ...
No.
can't really think of any setting in which I would enjoy this song
thewheedle wrote:
I guess it could be considered reminiscent, but:
• the tempo is different
• there is probably not one common chord between the two songs
• there are hundreds - if not thousands - of songs with sparse guitar accompanied by simple percussion
you put the lime in the coconut
I guess it could be considered reminiscent, but:
• the tempo is different
• there is probably not one common chord between the two songs
• there are hundreds - if not thousands - of songs with sparse guitar accompanied by simple percussion
gaskeydesign wrote:
You put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up....
Actually I'm thinking a cross between 19th Nervous Breakdown and Mama Told Me Not to Come. Maybe?
You put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up....
Actually I'm thinking a cross between 19th Nervous Breakdown and Mama Told Me Not to Come. Maybe?
thewheedle wrote:
you put the lime in the coconut
you put the lime in the coconut
If your a Suzanne Vega fan this CD is excellent cover to cover.....
EDIT: I have NEVER heard anything from Suzanne Vega that I didn't like.
TJHis is great! Love the cover, too!
When she was good she was really, really good. And she was good a lot! This is good! Oh yeah!
I have NEVER heard anything from Suzanne Vega that I didn't like.
Sloggydog wrote:
Not much to explain there champ. She is gorgeous, sexy and talented. Makes complete sense really.
As Dr Ruth says, the brain is the largest sex organ. I find Vega to be smart as well, and I'd love to have a glass of wine with her.
Not much to explain there champ. She is gorgeous, sexy and talented. Makes complete sense really.
As Dr Ruth says, the brain is the largest sex organ. I find Vega to be smart as well, and I'd love to have a glass of wine with her.
unclelonghair wrote:
Not much to explain there champ. She is gorgeous, sexy and talented. Makes complete sense really.
I really can't explain it but I find Suzanne Vega to be sexy. Not just this song either. Maybe I have a thing for librarians.
Not much to explain there champ. She is gorgeous, sexy and talented. Makes complete sense really.
At Last! For such a very long, this is what I've been hoping to hear from SV ,,, ohlala!
unclelonghair wrote:
only if they're wearing glasses
I really can't explain it but I find Suzanne Vega to be sexy. Not just this song either. Maybe I have a thing for librarians.
only if they're wearing glasses
cattail321 wrote:
Bytch,Bytch,Bytch..u peeps wouldn't know talent or music,if it bit ya on the azz...
What he said....
Bytch,Bytch,Bytch..u peeps wouldn't know talent or music,if it bit ya on the azz... What he said.... Shimmer wrote:
Nine Objects of Desire is a studio album, not a compilation.
Maybe there was a compilation showing up in the "album info" area before.
Which album is this originally from? (I hate it when RP uses a best-of.)
Nine Objects of Desire is a studio album, not a compilation.
Maybe there was a compilation showing up in the "album info" area before.
I love Suzanne Vega's music. She makes the whole singing/writing process seem so easy! 
I really can't explain it but I find Suzanne Vega to be sexy. Not just this song either. Maybe I have a thing for librarians.
Which album is this originally from? (I hate it when RP uses a best-of.)
Beginning sounds a lot like "Blood Makes Noise" without the horrible sound effects.
Beginning sounds a lot like "Blood Makes Noise" without the horrible sound effects.
Wish my socks and her stockings had intermingled in a dryer. 
This album was (is) a favorite...very cool, tuneful, sexy...
milchschnitte wrote:
Naw, the bangs would be sprayed upward if it were.
the cover looks so 80's.
Naw, the bangs would be sprayed upward if it were.
Hey Baby,,,,,ever since "Luka" she's had my attention......never a dull moment
.....................LOL i C i been here b4
.....................LOL i C i been here b4
Oh yeah! 
Disagreeing with the last few comments, I like this song and think Suzanne Vega is an inventive poet and musician. "Casual Match" is an especially compelling song!
Bytch,Bytch,Bytch..u peeps wouldn't know talent or music,if it bit ya on the azz...this song sux -> 1
the cover looks so 80's.
mattt wrote:
Yep, Suzanne's quite hot. This song is sexy as well.
...99.9 fahrenheit degrees...
Yep, Suzanne's quite hot. This song is sexy as well.
gernick wrote:
"Dreadful lyrics"? Shurely shome mishtake. Vega's always been a storyteller, and though her style may not be to everyone's taste every one of her song tells a story, usually an interesting and poignant one.
i always want to like her but she rarely fails to disappoint. it's partly the way she sings but this song clearly suffers from a lack of inspiration (album deadline looming?) and dreadful lyrics. Dear Suzanne, please try harder.
"Dreadful lyrics"? Shurely shome mishtake. Vega's always been a storyteller, and though her style may not be to everyone's taste every one of her song tells a story, usually an interesting and poignant one.
gernick wrote:
Yeah, 95% of her song catalog sounds like she's phoning it in. Then again, 100% of her song catalog is sung with the exact same emotion / volume, so take that for what it's worth.
i always want to like her but she rarely fails to disappoint. it's partly the way she sings but this song clearly suffers from a lack of inspiration (album deadline looming?) and dreadful lyrics. Dear Suzanne, please try harder.
Yeah, 95% of her song catalog sounds like she's phoning it in. Then again, 100% of her song catalog is sung with the exact same emotion / volume, so take that for what it's worth.
gernick wrote:
try harder?? no comment.
i always want to like her but she rarely fails to disappoint.
it's partly the way she sings but this song clearly suffers from a lack of inspiration (album deadline looming?) and dreadful lyrics.
Dear Suzanne, please try harder.
it's partly the way she sings but this song clearly suffers from a lack of inspiration (album deadline looming?) and dreadful lyrics.
Dear Suzanne, please try harder.
try harder?? no comment.
I'd like to hear more Suzanne Vega on RP
i always want to like her but she rarely fails to disappoint.
it's partly the way she sings but this song clearly suffers from a lack of inspiration (album deadline looming?) and dreadful lyrics.
Dear Suzanne, please try harder.
inindian wrote:
...to throw off of a bridge
You'd throw a desirable object off a bridge... Symptomatic of mankind's ills, I'd say...
garthwb wrote:
She's one of the Nine Objects of Desire...!
...to throw off of a bridge
EssexTex wrote:
I'd like her in stockings!
Oh Yeah.
RobRyan wrote:
I'm surprised at the comments that Suzanne Vega is boring. I find her to be one of the most interesting and creative artists out there, both in terms of lyrics and music. This one gets an "8" from me, which is probably a little below my average rating for her songs.
I like the lyrics, but the music and setting is innane.
'oh yeah'? oh no
She's one of the Nine Objects of Desire...!
...99.9 fahrenheit degrees...
You put the lime in the coconut and drink 'em all up ...
yuk. must we be subjected to this?? Make it stop! 
gabitom wrote:
I liker her music.
I'd like her in stockings!
I liker her music.
I'm surprised at the comments that Suzanne Vega is boring. I find her to be one of the most interesting and creative artists out there, both in terms of lyrics and music. This one gets an "8" from me, which is probably a little below my average rating for her songs.
Happy New Year, everybody!!I had a '76 Vega. Aluminum block was trouble with the cooling system.
sfListener wrote:
Time to see what's on NPR
Time to see what's on NPR
tonks wrote:
Ho hum!
Perfectly stated. Time to call it a day.
Haines followed by Vega followed by Waits - I see we're going melancholy again.
Melancholy - a gloomy state of mind, esp. when habitual or prolonged; depression. Sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness.
I'm going home 
SV: Actually it's about three different women, that I found myself drawn to. It was along time ago and nothing happened
Q: Why?
SV: One used to travel all the time and send me postcards, the other had a girlfriend and the third informed me that I'm not gay.
From Suzanne's site, Reprinted from Yedioth Ahronot(Israel)| June 25, 1999
Q: Why?
SV: One used to travel all the time and send me postcards, the other had a girlfriend and the third informed me that I'm not gay.
From Suzanne's site, Reprinted from Yedioth Ahronot(Israel)| June 25, 1999
Ho hum!
You know my impulse is always, "Oh Lord! Suzanne Vega again?!", but then I don't really dislike the individual songs so much...this one for example is alright. Didn't K.D. Lang do a cover of this, or is this the cover?
Great voice and perceptive lyrics that transend everyday 'pop'.
another suzanne vega song... i can't go one day... she is so boring.
Is it me, or is the sound level rising & dropping throughout this song?
Too bad, 'cause I really like this one.
sexy!
My name is lugy
By far my favorite song from this album. Brilliant lyrics.
Saw her recently in Tampere, Finland -- great show. It was just her and a bass player, and it worked like a charm. The last time I saw here she seemed a lot more stressed out, now she seemed very relaxed and comfortable. Wish all live music was that good.
About the song... yes, it seems to be about sexual tension (or more) between two women. Or that's the way I've always interpreted it. People making conclusions about Suzanne's sexual orientation based on that are, however, more than a little misguided. :)
Leslie wrote:
It's between the binding of your stocking and your skin...
Love it!
it's the binding of HER stocking and HER skin... so, gives a little credence to the lesbian comment... (meaning, it can easily be put on a mix from one lesbian to another--dont know what Suzanne is, not really concerned either way...)
remember when I was younger and she came to preform in Ceysaria in the roman mini-coluseum near the beach.
I stied awake to hear her on the radio. she was described as pale and very thin. her voice and music brougt images from far away places , NJ and such.
Niv from Israel
Man, I played this album to death when I first got it! OK by me...
Kind of reminds me of "put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up"
I saw Suzanne Vega recently at a small intimate gig, just her and a bass player and she was awesome. A warm, interesting performer who tells such great stories through her music. Throughout the gig she told backstories and anecdotes about the songs which just served to increase my admiration for her.
Nice album cover too
Ya know, this is kinda ok, I'll give this a 7 for now and see ....
Trustocity wrote:
Lesbians... yum.
Don't know much about Suzanne Vega, do you.
Lesbians... yum.
Heard this one for the first time on NPR several years ago. Imagine this song on National Public Radio.... great song, great artist!
It's unfortunate that my first introduction to Suzanne Vega was "Luka". Whether it was a good or bad song is immaterial--it was the only picture I had of who Vega was, and the excessive airplay turned me off so badly that it's taken me 15 years to realize that she's got some very different music out there, and I've likely underappreciated it. I first started to realize that when I heard "Widow's Walk" here on RP. This song merely reinforces the idea that I may have been missing something special these many years.
I'm gonna have to look into that some more... (Thanks, RP!)
For those interested in "classical"/"concert" music, Suzanne Vega hosted a really good radio series on NPR called "American Mavericks", about 20th Century American composers. It's available as streaming audio at (click here).
=P~ 
8)
8) It's between the binding of your stocking and your skin...
Love it!
red5_bc wrote:
I always thought this was a very sexy song. This is a great album too.
I agree, great lyrics.
I always thought this was a very sexy song. This is a great album too.