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Suzanne Vega — Left Of Center (w/ Joe Jackson)
Album: Pretty In Pink (Soundtrack)
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2268









Released: 1987
Length: 3:26
Plays (last 30 days): 2
If you want me
You can find me
Left of center, off of the strip
In the outskirts
And in the fringes
In the corner, out of the grip

If you want me
You can find me
Left of center, off of the strip
In the outskirts
And in the fringes
In the corner, out of the grip

When they ask me, "What are you looking at?"
I always answer, "Nothing much" (not much)
I think they know that
I'm looking at them
I think they think I must be out of touch

But I'm only in the outskirts
And in the fringes
On the edge and, off the avenue
And if you want me
You can find me
Left of center, wondering about you

I think that somehow, somewhere inside of us
We must be similar, if not the same
So I continue
To be wanting you
Left of center, against the grain

And if you want me
You can find me
Left of center, off of the strip
In the outskirts
And in the fringes
In the corner, out of the grip

And when they ask me, "What are you looking at?"
I always answer, "Nothing much" (not much)
I think they know that, I'm looking at them
I think they think I must be, out of touch

But I'm only in the outskirts
And in the fringes
On the edge and
Off the avenue
And if you want me
You can find me
Left of center, wondering about you

Wondering about you

If you want me
You can find me
Left of center, wondering about you

If you want me
You can find me
Left of center, wondering about you

Wondering about you
Wondering about you

If you want me
You can find me
Left of center, wondering
If you want me
You can find me
Left of center, wondering about you

Wondering about you
Wondering about you
Comments (143)add comment
Love this collaboration.
Heard this for the first time on RP.  Really nice tune.
Perhaps I'm dating myself by admitting that this song inspired the opening line to my classified ad in the "singles column" of a local music rag many moons ago which caught the attention of my future (and still) husband  "Slightly left of center redhead loves music more than anything..." 
My favorite SV song!!  Thanx RP! 
 Proclivities wrote:
 
 
I agree, back then it more often meant "offbeat" or "unorthodox".  There is nothing political in these lyrics, but that term obviously has a different connotation in today's setting.

Agreed.  1987 was a different time.  There was no 24 hour news cycle.  I was in HS, but even into my college years, I would not have hesitated to call myself "left of center" and not mean it in a political way.  No way would I describe myself as "left of center" today.  My beliefs have changed very little, but the times sure have.
 Proclivities wrote:
 
 
I agree, back then it more often meant "offbeat" or "unorthodox".  There is nothing political in these lyrics, but that term obviously has a different connotation in today's setting.


Back then, ouch, it meant both. 
I really like this song. It's a tasty little number, and the musicianship is really really great. There's something about Vega's always slightly detached delivery that I really dig. The way she occasionally holds the final note of some phrases out over the chord changes creates this wonderful sense of tension.
 jtcedinburgh wrote:
 .. that this one made the cut..
 

um, check out the RP stats.  
GREAT TUNE!!
I really like SV but this isn't one of her best.  It's still decent, but considering her many, many great tracks, it's surprising that this one made the RP cut.  But, always welcome to hear her regardless :)

"You can find me
Left of center, off of the strip
In the outskirts"

So you're in Summerlin, big deal 😜 

 mrtuba9 wrote:

Molly Ringwald?


No, Jon Cryer.

Sorry, what?
 doktorkev wrote:
Can Suzanne Vega really be 61 years old?

Man how time flies.
 

Molly Ringwald is 53! My how I love me some redheads. Good thing I'm married to one  
Can Suzanne Vega really be 61 years old?

Man how time flies.
Suzanne is an under-rated guitar player. Her singing and songwriting kind of over-shadows that aspect of her talent.
 The_Enemy wrote:
I never saw the movie but I remember this as being an excellent soundtrack.

It was also the first time I heard The Smiths (Please, Please, Please)

But I'm laughing at the clothes that guy on the right is wearing :)
 
That's Duckie (actor Jon Cryer), thank you very much, and he pretty much steals the film.
 
Molly Ringwald?
Vega's music has aged marvelously. That, yes, flat but clean sound for sharp-clawed words that walk up to coy but never cross over. 
Catchy! I find myself humming this melody at least once a week for some reason.
I never saw the movie but I remember this as being an excellent soundtrack.

It was also the first time I heard The Smiths (Please, Please, Please)

But I'm laughing at the clothes that guy on the right is wearing :)
I love both Suzanne Vega & Joe Jackson, but somehow I don't think the sum here is greater than the parts.
It's a bit flat. I think SV's vocals would sound better in a more tender acoustic version, or the song would be better with more exuberant vocals.
Still quite good, though.
 FluorideFreeMN wrote:
A song titled "Left of Center" and not a single person took that politically?

Maybe that's just how my mind functions, but that was the first thing I thought of~
 
Actually, the first thing I thought of was that I was playing this song on a college radio station. At one point, the lower end of FM radio was reserved for educational uses - so all the weird college music stations were left on the dial.

 

I couldn't disagree with you more.  Good day, sir. 

 

DocStrangelove wrote:

SV is bland, atonal
terrible stuff

 

Nice sound!
Suzanne Vega
 ziakut wrote:

Your opinion of "bland" is fine. Your opinion of "terrible" is also fine. Atonal is highly inaccurate. Your mention of it being atonal is NOT an opinion. Someone or something is either atonal or not. No room for debate. You are wrong in that analysis. Sorry, but true.

Signed,

Truth

WHOA - Ziakut, just as a slight touch of makeup tends to be most convincing, just a wee touch of truth tends to be most convincing. That doesn't mean that it is credible, however, please look up "atonal" before you so masterfully embarrass yourself again. I do agree that SV is over-rated; I feel that she is a decent small-town musician, not one who belongs in the big leagues.  Jamus1
 

 juliecb wrote:
apressman wrote:
Such a pretty voice... such an ugly girl!
We're all ugly on the inside. It is what is on the outside that matters. You can't judge a book by its contents. Afterall, beauty is in the eye of the belittler.
 
Gosh, I was looking for this apressman comment to reply.  Then I came on juliecb and could think of nothing better.


Great song, great album, great musik video !!!

                   
 DocStrangelove wrote:
SV is bland, atonal
terrible stuff

 
Your opinion of "bland" is fine. Your opinion of "terrible" is also fine. Atonal is highly inaccurate. Your mention of it being atonal is NOT an opinion. Someone or something is either atonal or not. No room for debate. You are wrong in that analysis. Sorry, but true.

Signed,

Truth
Haven't heard this in YEARS - makes me want to lead an aerobics class! 

Cool to find out Joe Jackson played on this fine song.
Love this; I have it on a 45 ...yup. ...especially nice musical touches by Joe Jackson.
FluorideFreeMN wrote:
A song titled "Left of Center" and not a single person took that politically?

Maybe that's just how my mind functions, but that was the first thing I thought of~
 
seageek wrote:
This song was first released in 1987 and I think the culture wars hadn't really gained steam back then. The term "Left of Center" used to mean quirky or unusual thinking or lifestyle. Looking at some of the online dictionaries, people in other English speaking countries use it to describe an object, such as artwork. I get the impression most RP listeners are older like myself and remember this song in that context. One of my favorite SV songs by the way.

 
I agree, back then it more often meant "offbeat" or "unorthodox".  There is nothing political in these lyrics, but that term obviously has a different connotation in today's setting.
Never a fan of her one note voice
Fucking glorious.
One of her best IMHO
What a wonderful voice! {#Hearteyes}
This song was first released in 1987 and I think the culture wars hadn't really gained steam back then. The term "Left of Center" used to mean quirky or unusual thinking or lifestyle. Looking at some of the online dictionaries, people in other English speaking countries use it to describe an object, such as artwork. I get the impression most RP listeners are older like myself and remember this song in that context. One of my favorite SV songs by the way.

FluorideFreeMN wrote:
A song titled "Left of Center" and not a single person took that politically?

Maybe that's just how my mind functions, but that was the first thing I thought of~

 


Nice to hear this on here, not all pop is pap. 
A song titled "Left of Center" and not a single person took that politically?

Maybe that's just how my mind functions, but that was the first thing I thought of~
 fingerpin wrote:
 
 {#Yell}   You are a dick.

 
Maybe an ugly one.
I've always loved this one and the Joe Jackson piano is typically superb. 
With her best songs she is "AAA"
She is a highly introspective artist. A good thing.
 
my thought, exactly!

betsyroks
wrote:
hello again suzanne.you rock

 


 I like her accessible no-vibrato voice.
Great tune!  Improved my mood for sure!

Suzanne Vega - Left Of Center & Gipsy, Live

Suzanne Vega, then 30 y old, live in concert St.Wendel Germany 1989.

 "I like her haircut, and her dancing. I also like this version of Left of Center better than the studio one. The guitar is way sicker!"       svengali691

"I wish I could go back in time and attend this concert. While I'm wishing why not have Suzanne fall in love with me"       diego3435

"Amazing, unique voice , 100% class!!!!! Clean, fresh look!! Missed in todays music!!!"     borgboy1000




 Cynaera wrote:

I love this song, though.  And Suzanne Vega looks a lot like Mary Stuart Masterson in "Benny and Joon" in this picture.

We now return you to your regularly-scheduled music flow, already in progress. {#Mrgreen}
 
I thought the same... the cover looks a lot like Mary Stuart Masterson!  Absolutely loved that movie!! Now I'm going to have to dig it out of the archives and watch it again...  and thats a GOOD thing!
~Thanks Cynaera 
 RadioDoc wrote:

Pretty damn good for pushin' 50.

Or 40 for that matter.

I've liked this one since it's movie days.  8.
 
bump
 
 drews wrote:
not smart to sing about 'fringes' when sporting a ginger fringe like that

 
I love this song, though.  And Suzanne Vega looks a lot like Mary Stuart Masterson in "Benny and Joon" in this picture.

We now return you to your regularly-scheduled music flow, already in progress. {#Mrgreen}
 Jimmy86 wrote:
I hadn't heard this song before.  Pretty nice!  I had to look it up, when I saw a post that it was on Pretty in Pink.  In my Billboard book, it is credited to Suzanne Vega & Joe Jackson.  {#Stop}  I don't think I heard a 2nd voice, and now the song's over.  Is this a new version without Joe?  Or did he merely play piano?  Any info, anyone?
 

Pretty in Pink  -  I think one of the very best motion picture soundtracks, Hughes was such a genius in his own right as a director, but what freakin good taste in music he had.
not smart to sing about 'fringes' when sporting a ginger fringe like that

A good one from ms.Vega!
 parrothead wrote:
This is good, to clever for her writing style, must be some one else that wrote this. I don't have the liner notes at the moment.
 
Or Google, even.

Wikipedia credits Suzanne Vega and Joe Jackson.  That took me about...oh, 1 minute to find, maybe? 
Love Suzanne Vega. Poster on my boysroom wall.

I've always liked Suzanne Vega's style.  Not too crazy about this song, but she definately has influenced a lot of young singer/songwriters.  I recall my own initial response to her vocal style, which was, " Hey, I think I can do that"!  Then I bought a new guitar, and that was the first day of my new life as a singer/songwriter.


This is good, to clever for her writing style, must be some one else that wrote this. I don't have the liner notes at the moment.
ugh! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
this doesn't knock my socks off. 5.
 apressman wrote:
Such a pretty voice... such an ugly girl!
  
 {#Yell}   You are a dick.
Someone told me that this song reminds them of me. I'm not quite sure if I see that as a good or bad thing.
 bugleboy624 wrote:
Yes, so do I.
 
Pretty damn good for pushin' 50.

Or 40 for that matter.

I've liked this one since it's movie days.  8.

Brings back memories of high school....

hello again suzanne.you rock
I hadn't heard this song before.  Pretty nice!  I had to look it up, when I saw a post that it was on Pretty in Pink.  In my Billboard book, it is credited to Suzanne Vega & Joe Jackson.  {#Stop}  I don't think I heard a 2nd voice, and now the song's over.  Is this a new version without Joe?  Or did he merely play piano?  Any info, anyone?
usually like her stuff, but this is so {#Snooty}
CarpePotus wrote:
I like the new noir look...
Yes, so do I.
How young she sounds on this song--very much like Jane Siberry of that era. Compare with the maturity of Beauty and Crime.
Would be a 10 if it was a live version.
laozilover wrote:
RETROSPECTIVE?!? Is her career over?!?
Makes you want to take a red pen to the album cover and write "word usage," doesn't it?
Ugly? I don't think so.
I like the new noir look...
Look at any other album cover. That picture is atrocious.
...all of her recent publicity photographs are unflattering, i suspect by design, stark realism...
laozilover wrote:
apressman wrote: Such a pretty voice... such an ugly girl! what are you, nuts?!? "What's the ugliest part of your body? I think it's your mind!" ~Frank Zappa Look at any other album cover. That picture is atrocious
CoYoT51 wrote:
I her!!!! Too bad I'm married... I guess so is she, though... :o) THX, RP!
Not anymore I don't think...
*mute* see you in a few...
apressman wrote:
Such a pretty voice... such an ugly girl!
what are you, nuts?!?
"What's the ugliest part of your body? I think it's your mind!" ~Frank Zappa
RETROSPECTIVE?!? Is her career over?!? :roll:
I her!!!! Too bad I'm married... I guess so is she, though... :o) THX, RP!
dwhayslett wrote:
Sometimes music touches you in ways words can't express. Anyway, if you were serious, you would have triple-dog dared him.
Love the piano playing by Joe Jackson
SV. Well certainly virtuous & serious (if in a slightly self conscious manner) but always leaves me feeling rather underwhelmed!!
I have to go and dig out my "Pretty in Pink" soundtrack now. This was one of many good songs on it.
Essbee wrote:
Bill, I DARE you to remove the option for emoticons, so that people who have nothing to say (or are too lazy to say anything) won't take up space on these comments pages.
Sometimes music touches you in ways words can't express. Anyway, if you were serious, you would have triple-dog dared him.
tedious and mindlessly repetitive. opposite of a 10.
Ms. Vega does seem to sound the same, most of the time. She also puts out a song here and there that keeps me on her side. This is one. oh... and that comment about her being " an ugly girl" (Apressman)- pretty damn ugly comment and way wrong. I think she's very pretty - not that that is what we're about here.
juliecb wrote:
We're all ugly on the inside. It is what is on the outside that matters. You can't judge a book by its contents. Afterall, beauty is in the eye of the belittler.
BTW eastcoast; It's just you.
apressman wrote:
Such a pretty voice... such an ugly girl!
We're all ugly on the inside. It is what is on the outside that matters. You can't judge a book by its contents. Afterall, beauty is in the eye of the belittler.
IS it me or do all Susan Vega songs sound the same?
Essbee wrote:
Bill, I DARE you to remove the option for emoticons, so that people who have nothing to say (or are too lazy to say anything) won't take up space on these comments pages.
man did i freak out the first time i heard this song--sixth grade, i think. been a personal theme song for a very long time. still, to my mind, the best song she ever did. 10.
My theme song!
Don't be an angry anti-emoticonist!
Bill, I DARE you to remove the option for emoticons, so that people who have nothing to say (or are too lazy to say anything) won't take up space on these comments pages.
GO JOE!
Mugro wrote:
How nice!! Mugro likes everyone, even the lefties !!
This song was on the "Pretty in Pink" soundtrack. I love it!!! Listened to this 500 times in a row on tape back in the 80s. Godlike. Thanks for playing it RP!!! It's a classic.
Roverfish wrote:
I hereby dedicate this song to Mugro. ;-) Seems like I've heard an alternate, non-live version of this tune before. Anyone know if there's a second release floating around out there? Decent tune.
How nice!! Mugro likes everyone, even the lefties !!
drekar wrote:
Hate to be so negative, but(paraphrasing): "They ask me what I'm looking at, I always answer 'nothing much'"
Uh, I hear that answer from practically every man I know! Uh, Nothing much #-o
Either I have been hearing this song too often, or the lame lyrics make it stick in my head :( Hate to be so negative, but(paraphrasing): "They ask me what I'm looking at, I always answer 'nothing much'" aaargh! Peh-lease! P.S. ok, negative rants are a bit theraputic.
Oh I like this song...it's been too long. Another trip down memory lane. Thanks for playing this one!
I hereby dedicate this song to Mugro. ;-) Seems like I've heard an alternate, non-live version of this tune before. Anyone know if there's a second release floating around out there? Decent tune.
pdevor wrote:
This song makes me want her.
Sorry -- this song makes ME want her more!
Shesdifferent wrote:
Suzanne Vega is God-ess!
Agreed! Her "Caramel" and In Liverpool" songs are so good it's scary. An underrated talent, imho.
This song makes me want her.
...I thank SV for turning me on to female vocalists...still gets regular play at the hideout... S.
Thank you for playing this song! Makes me want to get out my 'ol Pretty In Pink soundtrack on vinyl!
Suzanne Vega is God-ess!
newwavegurly wrote:
Another one off the newwavegurly playlist... found on the "Pretty In Pink" soundtrack...
I came here to say this and you beat me to it... by a couple of years! This song, and the memories of that soundtrack and that time.... Just right for my morning nostalgia...
You've gotta be kidding me. This is pretty bad.
One of those B-Sides that makes you regret the purchase. Sucko-Barfo!
Oh my goodness! PG and then Suzanne Vega!!? Brain ... reaching ... critical mass ... of ecstasy!
ChardRemains wrote:
Sexist remarks are not appreciated, sir. There are plenty of ugly male musicians... and they're allowed to be admired for what they are. Leave it out.
Calling someone ugly isn't sexist. It's more like nasty. And in this case not really true. Although she's not my type, she's far from ugly. Lucinda Williams, now there's a talented but mean looking woman.
I am so tired of this song and the same sound from Suzanne Vega. Bad reason for a low rating??
ksb wrote:
I've always thought that Suzanne Vega is only barely singing, if at all. Kind of annoying, that 'takling/singing' style.
Very evident in "Tom's Diner" and "99.9 F Degrees". The KING in talking "singers" is Johnny Cash and I cannot believe that his name was not even mentioned with Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen.
apressman wrote:
Such a pretty voice... such an ugly girl!
Sexist remarks are not appreciated, sir. There are plenty of ugly male musicians... and they're allowed to be admired for what they are. Leave it out.
tarheelinLA wrote:
Love this song! Became a Suzanne fan upon hearing this song. Wasn't it from the soundtrack to Pretty in Pink or some such 1980s teen movie?
Yes, it is off of the Pretty in Pink sountrack.
ksb wrote:
Good points. I love Tom Waits, have a similar problem with Lou Reed, and am not familar with Cohen. I think that in the case of Waits, he does so much more with his voice and music that it never occurs that he isn't completely singing. In Vega's case, I truly get the impression that she couldn't sing if she tried. Same with Reed. Waits, though does actually sing at times...
you cant seriously question whether Waits sings or not!