Marlene on the Wall

"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)	Steve Addabbo Lenny Kaye
Suzanne Vega singles chronology
"Marlene on the Wall" (1985) "Small Blue Thing" (1985)
"Knight Moves" (1985) "Marlene on the Wall" (1986) "Left of Center" (1986)

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

The 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

Upon 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

All songs written by Suzanne Vega.

Original release

1. "Marlene on the Wall" – 3:37
2. "Neighbourhood Girls" – 3:19

1986 re-release (7")

1. "Marlene on the Wall" – 3:37
2. "Small Blue Thing" (Live) – 3:56

1986 re-release (10")

Side one

1. "Marlene on the Wall" – 3:37
2. "Neighbourhood Girls" – 3:19

Side two

1. "Small Blue Thing" (Live) – 3:56
2. "Straight Lines" (Live) – 3:48

Personnel

• Suzanne Vega – acoustic guitar, vocals
• Sue Evans – drums
• John Gordon – electric guitar
• Frank Gavis – bass guitar
• C.P. Roth – synthesizer

Charts

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

1. "Suzanne Vega - Marlene on the Wall (EP)". AllMusic. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
2. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
3. Bond, Chris (February 28, 2019). "Interview: Suzanne Vega". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
4. Vega, Suzanne. "Suzanne Vega: Inside the Mysteries, Part 1". American Songwriter (Interview). Interviewed by Paul Zollo. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
5. 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.
6. Gary Kenton (July 1985). "Spins". Spin. No. 3. p. 31.
7. "Official Charts > Suzanne Vega". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
8. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Marlene on the Wall". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
9. "Australian ARIA Chart – Top 50 Singles: Week Ending 27th April, 1986". ARIA. Retrieved July 19, 2024 – via Imgur.com.
10. "Suzanne Vega – Marlene on the Wall" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
11. "Suzanne Vega – Marlene on the Wall" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 19, 2024.