Suzanne Vega — Last Year's Troubles
Album: Songs In Red And GrayAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 333
Length: 3:29
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Last year's troubles are so old fashioned
The robber on the highway the pirate on the seas
Maybe it's the clothing that's so entertaining
The earrings and swashbuckling blouses that please
Here we have heroes of times that have passed now
But nobody these days has that kind of chin
Over there the petticoats of ladies of virtue
You can hardly tell them from the petticoats of sin
Last year's troubles
Look at all the waifs of Dickensian England
Why is it their suffering is more picturesque?
Must be cause their rags are so very Victorian
The ones here at home just don't give it their best
Last years troubles they shine up so pretty
They gleam with a luster they don't have today
Here it's just dirty and violent and troubling
etc.
Last year's troubles
But trouble is still trouble and evil still evil
Sometimes we wonder; is there more now, or less?
If we had a tool or could tally the handfuls
Measure for measure it's the same would be my guess
The robber on the highway the pirate on the seas
Maybe it's the clothing that's so entertaining
The earrings and swashbuckling blouses that please
Here we have heroes of times that have passed now
But nobody these days has that kind of chin
Over there the petticoats of ladies of virtue
You can hardly tell them from the petticoats of sin
Last year's troubles
Look at all the waifs of Dickensian England
Why is it their suffering is more picturesque?
Must be cause their rags are so very Victorian
The ones here at home just don't give it their best
Last years troubles they shine up so pretty
They gleam with a luster they don't have today
Here it's just dirty and violent and troubling
etc.
Last year's troubles
But trouble is still trouble and evil still evil
Sometimes we wonder; is there more now, or less?
If we had a tool or could tally the handfuls
Measure for measure it's the same would be my guess
Comments (24)add comment
This song came out the year after my divorce when I was getting back on my feet, so it's always a happy tune for me!
Old joke time: Why are divorces so expensive?
Because they are worth it.
Old joke time: Why are divorces so expensive?
Because they are worth it.
Phew, much better Bill!
Hannio wrote:
Does a female vocalist always have to be sultry or arousing? That's very much a situational thing; "sultry" works for smoky lounge jazz, but would be wildly, jarringly inappropriate (edging toward creepy) on this piece.
I really, really, want to like Suzanne. Something about her voice just doesn't sit right with me, though. I think maybe it's because she sounds very pre-pubescent to me. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but there seems to be a lack of anything sultry or arousing.
Does a female vocalist always have to be sultry or arousing? That's very much a situational thing; "sultry" works for smoky lounge jazz, but would be wildly, jarringly inappropriate (edging toward creepy) on this piece.
Hannio wrote:
I think it is because my kids used to play with their stuffed animals to this tune, in the car on long rides, making them fight and make up to the beat of the music—that's what you're thinking.
I really, really, want to like Suzanne. Something about her voice just doesn't sit right with me, though. I think maybe it's because she sounds very pre-pubescent to me. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but there seems to be a lack of anything sultry or arousing.
I think it is because my kids used to play with their stuffed animals to this tune, in the car on long rides, making them fight and make up to the beat of the music—that's what you're thinking.
Hannio wrote:
Very mysterious. Would need years of psychoanalysis to discover the real reason. 
This is a perfect example of a project where deficit spending makes absolute sense. 
I really, really, want to like Suzanne. Something about her voice just doesn't sit right with me, though. I think maybe it's because she sounds very pre-pubescent to me. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but there seems to be a lack of anything sultry or arousing.
Very mysterious. Would need years of psychoanalysis to discover the real reason. This is a perfect example of a project where deficit spending makes absolute sense.
ever since "Luka" this woman is a goddess!!!!
Hannio wrote:
I really, really, want to like Suzanne. Something about her voice just doesn't sit right with me, though. I think maybe it's because she sounds very pre-pubescent to me. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but there seems to be a lack of anything sultry or arousing.
Huh, she sounds completely grown-up to me. More so than most of the female singers on this station. Sure might be a lack of anything sultry or arousing, but why should that be a prerequisite for a good female singer? To put it another way, you didn't give Simon & Garfunkel's America a 10 because they're hung like bulls did you?
I really, really, want to like Suzanne. Something about her voice just doesn't sit right with me, though. I think maybe it's because she sounds very pre-pubescent to me. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but there seems to be a lack of anything sultry or arousing.
Walk Like An Egyptian much?
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
Especially the strings (dulcimer?) in this song
If we stop playing her she'll go away mebbe.
Especially the strings (dulcimer?) in this song
Nice to hear SV again. She has been missed here at RP. Suzy is a fine musician and a lovely person; very gracious and friendly.
I had to come look; my first impression was Sheryl Crowe!!! 
Another nice tune from SV. Love the cover photo.
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
If we stop playing her she'll go away mebbe.
If you turn off the volume, she goes away. It's that easy. Now, please let the rest of us, who mebbe love her just a little bit listen to her in peace, woodja?
I like Suzanne Vega, but this song irritates me. The lyrics don't move me. The beat sounds like a train, chugga chugga chugga .... Much prefer the song, Penitent on this album. Hmm ... yeah, out of all the songs on this CD, I like Last Year's Troubles least. 
You've redeamed yourselves.
If we stop playing her she'll go away mebbe.
:roll:
:roll: Suprised at how much I enjoy this CD. Will be seeing Suzanne Vega next weekend. Can't wait.
I love this CD -- bought it after hearing Penitent and Widow's Walk on RP! This song is okay too. If you want to see the video, go to Suzanne Vega's web site. I agree the video isn't too good. I read that her brother made it. So much for nepotism. :P
I never thought I would be a Suzanne Vega fan, but so many of the songs on this CD are outstanding both musically and lyrically.
Randy
CrazyKiwi wrote:
Not a bad song, but the video to the song isn't very good.
Ditto the song. Having a hard time seeing the RP video. Any recs?
Suzanne Vega can do no wrong in my book. She is the consummate artist.
Not a bad song, but the video to the song isn't very good.
Have you ever heard her song "Caramel"? I think it's one of the sultriest songs EVER.