Suzanne Vega — Calypso
Album: Solitude StandingAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2039
Length: 4:07
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My name is Calypso and I have lived alone
I live on an island and I waken to the dawn
A long time ago I watched him struggle with the sea
I knew that he was drowning and I brought him into me
Now today come morning light
He sails away after one last night
I let him go
My name is Calypso
My garden overflows
Thick and wild and hidden is the sweetness there that grows
My hair blows long as I sing into the wind
I tell of nights where I could taste the salt on his skin
Salt of the waves and of tears
And while he pulled away
I kept him here for years
Now I let him go
My name is Calypso
I have let him go
In the dawn he sails away to be gone forever more
And the waves will take him in again
But he'll know their ways now
I will stand upon the shore
With a clean heart and my song in the wind
The sand may sting my feet and the sky will burn
It's a lonely time ahead
I do not ask him to return
I let him go
I let him go
I live on an island and I waken to the dawn
A long time ago I watched him struggle with the sea
I knew that he was drowning and I brought him into me
Now today come morning light
He sails away after one last night
I let him go
My name is Calypso
My garden overflows
Thick and wild and hidden is the sweetness there that grows
My hair blows long as I sing into the wind
I tell of nights where I could taste the salt on his skin
Salt of the waves and of tears
And while he pulled away
I kept him here for years
Now I let him go
My name is Calypso
I have let him go
In the dawn he sails away to be gone forever more
And the waves will take him in again
But he'll know their ways now
I will stand upon the shore
With a clean heart and my song in the wind
The sand may sting my feet and the sky will burn
It's a lonely time ahead
I do not ask him to return
I let him go
I let him go
Comments (108)add comment
I love so much the voice of Sazanne ...
Love this song!!!!!!
Chwkbud wrote:
Seeing her next week!
From 35 years ago? How can that be...it seems like only a few months ago I bought this album. Really enjoy Suzanne Vega's music (always thought she was somewhat underrated.)
Seeing her next week!
From 35 years ago? How can that be...it seems like only a few months ago I bought this album. Really enjoy Suzanne Vega's music (always thought she was somewhat underrated.)
Please play Song To A Siren after this, or even Tales of Brave Ulysses. :)
jwolf8609 wrote:
...try the veal!
I thought her name was Luka...
Kidding! I kid!
I'm here all week.
Kidding! I kid!
I'm here all week.
...try the veal!
GBU!
il suo album più bello
I thought her name was Luka...
Kidding! I kid!
I'm here all week.
Kidding! I kid!
I'm here all week.
utkarshsingh wrote:
I couldn't have put it better myself.
kya manhoosiyat hai betichod
I couldn't have put it better myself.
I really appreciate how different SV is, her odd melodies and lyrical phrases are very compelling to the ears. This reminds me of other musical oddity geniouses like Joni Mitchel and Kate Bush. Love her music
utkarshsingh wrote:
lekin aap ajeeb chudailon ko jaanate hain
kya manhoosiyat hai betichod
lekin aap ajeeb chudailon ko jaanate hain
kya manhoosiyat hai betichod
I always want to hear Mortal Coil's version of "Song to a Siren" after this song. And/or Tales of Brave Ulysses by Cream.
veegez wrote:
Just to add:
My name is Prince and I am funky.
dwhayslett wrote:
I can certainly understand why. "My name is ..." is such an unusual phrase, you hardly ever hear it. To use it in two different songs is just really incredible.
Ok, I'll play!
My name is.. What?
My name is.. Who?
My name is.. slicka slicka Slim Shady
Ahem...excuse me!
Can I have the attention of the class for one second.
or
My name is Mud.
My name is Mud.
Not to be confused with bill or jack or pete or dennis
or
My name is Jonas.
I'm carrying the wheel.
Thanks for all you've shown us.
This is how we feel.
or
My name is Donald White, you see,
I stand before you allll.
I was judged by you a murderer
And the hangman's knot must fallll.
or
My name is Lee,
I murdered little Sadie in the first degreeee.
or
Say my name, say my name....
Just to add:
My name is Prince and I am funky.
nagsheadlocal wrote:
Odysseus leaves and Calypso stands on the hot sand and watches him leave. It's an ancient heartbreak and a wonderful re-telling of this tale.
Meanwhile "patient Penelope" unravels the tapestry she's been weaving each
day to keep her suitors at bay until Odysseus returns from his voyages across
the "wine dark sea"...
Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
Odysseus leaves and Calypso stands on the hot sand and watches him leave. It's an ancient heartbreak and a wonderful re-telling of this tale.
Meanwhile "patient Penelope" unravels the tapestry she's been weaving each
day to keep her suitors at bay until Odysseus returns from his voyages across
the "wine dark sea"...
Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
On_The_Beach wrote:
Not hard at all; page one of a Google search: https://rabbijason.com/the-led-kippah/
I've been looking for one of those LED Kippahs, but they are tough to find!
Not hard at all; page one of a Google search: https://rabbijason.com/the-led-kippah/
Here's one for you
I've been looking for one of those LED Kippahs, but they are tough to find!
calypsus_1 wrote:
calypsus_1 wrote:
SuperWeh wrote:
don't know what is more futile;
- negative song comments
- negative commenting on negative comments
It must be the former, because if it were the latter you surely would not have done it yourself - unless you were going for some sort of meta-irony.
don't know what is more futile;
- negative song comments
- negative commenting on negative comments
It must be the former, because if it were the latter you surely would not have done it yourself - unless you were going for some sort of meta-irony.
One of my favourite songs, ever.
I love the music as much as the words. Sad, but she gets to remain who she is probably because she does not keep him against his will. It's strange how the lyrics become richer and more layered with meanings as I'm making my way through life. I've been listening to that tune since the early 1990s/
Thank you B&R for keeping this in the rotation
I love the music as much as the words. Sad, but she gets to remain who she is probably because she does not keep him against his will. It's strange how the lyrics become richer and more layered with meanings as I'm making my way through life. I've been listening to that tune since the early 1990s/
Thank you B&R for keeping this in the rotation
Interesting song based on one of the more interesting parts of the Odyssey. IMHO
Was too young 'n dumb 'n busy to think on something like a "clean heart" that this song is about in '87. But that's what artists are for! We more normal folk will get around to quieting down for poetry and clean songs like this... eventually.
Such a great song, such a great album !!!
Slightly embarrassed that I used to find this lovely song, when it came out, slightly cringe-y. But let's not think on all of that 80s times we carelessly wasted trying to be the coolest person in a room. Talk about cringe-worthy stuff!
Spalted wrote:
What sort of "commitment" have you found lacking?
Love the song as well as virtually everything she's written/recorded. But notice, in all of her songs she never makes a commitment.
What sort of "commitment" have you found lacking?
Love the song as well as virtually everything she's written/recorded. But notice, in all of her songs she never makes a commitment.
Genius. Love Suzanne. What a catalogue of classics.
Lorem Hip sum
user4176 wrote:
Heh, wish I could unhear the lyrics! They're what kills this song for me.
Never listened to those lyrics... or better, never understood what she's talking about until just now. Didn't like this song but now I do. The strange perspective and feeling of this song suddenly makes sense.
Heh, wish I could unhear the lyrics! They're what kills this song for me.
I remember a vacation in Sweden..1985. A local radio station was interviewing Suzanne..The DJ totally struggled with the English language, but the interview was quite endearing..I recorded the moment in time on cassette..Suzanne's music will always remind me..Her music was 'medicine for my soul' during a most difficult time.
Never listened to those lyrics... or better, never understood what she's talking about until just now. Didn't like this song but now I do. The strange perspective and feeling of this song suddenly makes sense.
Urggh. I always find listening to SV hard work and tedious ... pointless meaningless lyrics and unmemorable "molodies". But that's just my personal opinion and know that there are lots out there who love her. Each to their own.
Such a great story,and sounds to go with it.
I always want to hear Song To A Siren after this 
pvg44 wrote:
And for some of those who have commented on this song for the last decade, it is obviously from their "I need to reference something stupid and pointless" period. Who gives a fk if she started out two completely different songs on an album with the same line?
don't know what is more futile;
- negative song comments
- negative commenting on negative comments
And for some of those who have commented on this song for the last decade, it is obviously from their "I need to reference something stupid and pointless" period. Who gives a fk if she started out two completely different songs on an album with the same line?
don't know what is more futile;
- negative song comments
- negative commenting on negative comments
Always classy. Thanks RP.
This song kills me and always has. Her voice, unique as always, and what a point of view for a love song!
I always want to follow this with Tim Buckley's Song to the Siren.
Grammarcop wrote:
As you know, critics divide the work of many artists into periods that align around themes. This is obviously from her "My Name Is" period.
And for some of those who have commented on this song for the last decade, it is obviously from their "I need to reference something stupid and pointless" period. Who gives a fk if she started out two completely different songs on an album with the same line?
As you know, critics divide the work of many artists into periods that align around themes. This is obviously from her "My Name Is" period.
And for some of those who have commented on this song for the last decade, it is obviously from their "I need to reference something stupid and pointless" period. Who gives a fk if she started out two completely different songs on an album with the same line?
contractor07 wrote:
As you know, critics divide the work of many artists into periods that align around themes. This is obviously from her "My Name Is" period.
"My Name is Luca"
now "My Name is Calypso" , I mean seriously? 
As you know, critics divide the work of many artists into periods that align around themes. This is obviously from her "My Name Is" period.
Suzanne has such a beautifully pure, clear voice.
Discovered this song while listening to an ex-girlfriend's cassette tape way back in the day. Brilliant song and album.
DaveInVA wrote:
Saw her do this live years ago... great stuff
I am shure ill be ridiculed for this, but i really love John Denver's song by the same name about Jaques Coustaeu and his boat....it is a beautiful song
Suzanne Veaga interprète "I Never wear white" pour Le Live, l'émission musicale du Figaro.Voir toutes les vidéos du Live. Solo-acoustic performance of Suzanne Vega with Gerry Leonard on guitar. Songs from new studio-album "Tales From the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles (2014). Amazing.
"With her sultry voice, Suzanne Vega seamlessly joins her poetry and contemporary folk song with a sound that is utterly unique and identifiable to her alone. Suzanne Vega is a true pioneer among singer-songwriters!"
Pop/folk artist Suzanne Vega drops by Dunlop - January 27, 2011
Recently Pop/ Folk artist Suzanne Vega, most famous for her songs “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner”, stopped by the Dunlop HQ with her band. They enjoyed a guided tour of our pick and strings facilities from founder Jim Dunlop, and later, bassist Mike Visceglia (NYC session player) and guitarist Gerry Leonard (David Bowie, Rufus Wainwright) checked out some of our newer electronic offerings.
Unfortunately, the guitar and keyboard seriously date this song.
Her first album was a MASTERPIECE
in a quality rarely found,
this one (except Luka) and anything that followed
was a step closer to her musical grave
in a quality rarely found,
this one (except Luka) and anything that followed
was a step closer to her musical grave
Perfect song for this rainy day....
Repost:
I have to give this a 10, I have always loved this song, and Suzanne Vega's work...I cannot let it pass without raving about the brillance of this album, this song and many other Suzanne Vega compositions! RP I applaud you on this one!
Repost:
I have to give this a 10, I have always loved this song, and Suzanne Vega's work...I cannot let it pass without raving about the brillance of this album, this song and many other Suzanne Vega compositions! RP I applaud you on this one!
"Suzanne Vega's music, a brilliant mix of poetry and social activism defined her as an artist, resulting in a select fan base which took her message seriously. Her views of society and the human condition gave rise to a newer and more defined perception of life's struggles, individually and collectively." jiminy911
"After enjoying ‘Small Blue Thing', hit me with the most beautiful songs you can think of. It doesn't matter where you find their beauty; in sadness or in joy, whether it pours from the music, is enshrined in effective wordplay, or it's simply the image that either conjures up in your mind which is most beautiful of all (thinking of Leonard Cohen's "the sun pours down like honey" line, from ‘Suzanne', funnily enough; you'd be hard-pressed, though, to find better than." 5150ortiz
Marley wrote:
Odysseus leaves and Calypso stands on the hot sand and watches him leave. It's an ancient heartbreak and a wonderful re-telling of this tale.
This song always makes me sad. How hard is it to let the one you love go because you know it's the right thing to do, while knowing how lonely you will be without them...
Odysseus leaves and Calypso stands on the hot sand and watches him leave. It's an ancient heartbreak and a wonderful re-telling of this tale.
"My Name is Luca"
now "My Name is Calypso" , I mean seriously?
Marley wrote:
This song always makes me sad. How hard is it to let the one you love go because you know it's the right thing to do, while knowing how lonely you will be without them...
Don't even want to think about it. I really like this song, but there's something about that instrumental chorus/break that sounds like it could have come from a romantic interlude/vignette from Miami Vice or something like that.
This song always makes me sad. How hard is it to let the one you love go because you know it's the right thing to do, while knowing how lonely you will be without them...
First noticed Vega listening to covers of Leonard Cohen.
Saw her do this live years ago... great stuff
She always brings a feeling of the wide open spaces breathing fresh dewy air into ones lungs, beauty to the Max... :-)
Welly wrote:
And that is a very good thing!
Always makes me think of sailing.
And that is a very good thing!
One of my first albums and still one of my best. Love this song. Sonically beautiful. Great mix with Tragically Hip also.
One of my first CDs. I remember still being blown away by the sound difference over tapes (and the fact they took most of my allowance to buy).
Alafia wrote:
Always been one of my favorite SV songs.
Hehe...that synth solo reminded me of these guys...
Nice! I like SV.
Always been one of my favorite SV songs.
Welly wrote:
Always makes me think of sailing.
and Joan Armitrading...
Excellent track, excellent album.
"Well, my name's John Lee Pettimore
Same as my daddy and his daddy before.."
- Steve Earle, Copperhead Road
dwhayslett wrote:
I can certainly understand why. "My name is ..." is such an unusual phrase, you hardly ever hear it. To use it in two different songs is just really incredible.
ick, no.
dull, boring... let's follow it up with a song sung from the perspective of the the Cyclops.
"My name is Polyphemus, He poked out my eeeeeyeeeeee!"
veegez wrote:
Ok, I'll play!
My name is.. What?
My name is.. Who?
My name is.. slicka slicka Slim Shady
Ahem...excuse me!
Can I have the attention of the class for one second.
or
My name is Mud.
My name is Mud.
Not to be confused with bill or jack or pete or dennis
or
My name is Jonas.
I'm carrying the wheel.
Thanks for all you've shown us.
This is how we feel.
or
My name is Donald White, you see,
I stand before you allll.
I was judged by you a murderer
And the hangman's knot must fallll.
or
My name is Lee,
I murdered little Sadie in the first degreeee.
or
Say my name, say my name....
Let's not forget:
"My name is Sue
How do you do?"
"...My name's Johnny
and it might be a sin
but I'll take your bet
you're gonna regret
'cause I'm the best there's ever been.."
Oh my,how beautiful.I've heard so little of her since the debut album,which I have on vinyl.Enchanting.
I absolutely love this song! This album is great. I used to listen to it a lot in high school. Haven't heard it in many many years. Thanks Bill!
Always makes me think of sailing.
veegez wrote:
Ok, I'll play!
My name is.. What?
My name is.. Who?
My name is.. slicka slicka Slim Shady
Ahem...excuse me!
Can I have the attention of the class for one second.
or
My name is Mud.
My name is Mud.
Not to be confused with bill or jack or pete or dennis
or
My name is Jonas.
I'm carrying the wheel.
Thanks for all you've shown us.
This is how we feel.
or
My name is Donald White, you see,
I stand before you allll.
I was judged by you a murderer
And the hangman's knot must fallll.
or
My name is Lee,
I murdered little Sadie in the first degreeee.
or
Say my name, say my name....
One I remembered:
"my name is prince and I am funky!"
Love this song, but not the vocal style. However, I'll give her a break because I just heard "Gypsy" and loved it. The trouble is that my first listen to "Calypso" was not Vega's recording but a truly well-arranged, beautifully layered a capella version by the Princeton University WildCats.
dwhayslett wrote:
I can certainly understand why. "My name is ..." is such an unusual phrase, you hardly ever hear it. To use it in two different songs is just really incredible.
Ok, I'll play!
My name is.. What?
My name is.. Who?
My name is.. slicka slicka Slim Shady
Ahem...excuse me!
Can I have the attention of the class for one second.
or
My name is Mud.
My name is Mud.
Not to be confused with bill or jack or pete or dennis
or
My name is Jonas.
I'm carrying the wheel.
Thanks for all you've shown us.
This is how we feel.
or
My name is Donald White, you see,
I stand before you allll.
I was judged by you a murderer
And the hangman's knot must fallll.
or
My name is Lee,
I murdered little Sadie in the first degreeee.
or
Say my name, say my name....
Kairit, this one is again for you :)
With all my love.
Hugs.
a hauntingly, beautiful cd....
dmax wrote:
japanmoran wrote:
I can certainly understand why. "My name is ..." is such an unusual phrase, you hardly ever hear it. To use it in two different songs is just really incredible.
"My name is Luka" ... umm no, "My Name is Calypso"
That bugs me EVERY SINGLE TIME.
...why?
veegez wrote:
Lyrics are shallow and unoriginal, huh? Are you some kind of hypercritical m-f'er or something? Oh, uh, great idea about the album with Metallica. Great! One thing though. Lose the Metallica.
Suzy dominates and everything else is just average.
(obvious hyperbole) ;)
OK, I was probably in a bad mood when I wrote that, I usually try to be more subtle than that. SV gets on my nerves because I find the music monotonous and soulless and I get the feeling she thinks that what she sings is meaningful because she sings it in a monotonous/pensive way. I could be totally wrong, maybe SV is the the deepest most soulful person alive, I don't know her at all. I'm entitled to voice how her music makes me feel though, nothing hypocritical about it. I could probably could try to be more subtle though.
Yes, Metallica, bad idea, maybe Aretha Franklin or Angie Stone et all would do a better job?
Listening to this song brings back memories of my high school literature class. My teacher loved to play modern music that referenced the classics, so we listened to this song while reading "The Odyssey"; I think we also listened to "King of Pain" by the Police, but I'm hard-pressed to remember the connection there.
fishy1 wrote:
I first heard this song as part of collection I ordered from NPR. Every song in the collection was inspired by a piece of literature. This made for an eclectic mix. The most memorable was a song about Einstein's brain in the back of a Buick! I am posting because it seems unfair to call the song uninspired. It also seems incorrect to make the connections to Luka. And if the lyrics seem unintelligent, well . . . . literature isn't for everyone.
I once listened to this album before going on a trailess trek alone through the Trinities.
While I didn't exactly get lost, I did get majorily confused as to where I was for a couple of days.
After a lot of pushing through dense brush and climbing up cliffs that I had no business being on, I finally made it back to my truck. Suzanne Vega's album picked up where I had left it, on this song. I was never so happy to hear this coming from my car's speakers, then or since.
It was one of those "good to be alive" moments and Suzanne's song was very much a part of that.
Separated at birth?
SuperWeh wrote:
hmm, I don't really like this. Lyrics seem shallow and unoriginal, the melody is rather non-existent. Suzanne should consider venturing into other styles every once in a while, like this I get the feeling she is a one trick pony because all her songs sound the same to me. How about doing an album with metallica suzanne?
Lyrics are shallow and unoriginal, huh? Are you some kind of hypercritical m-f'er or something? Oh, uh, great idea about the album with Metallica. Great! One thing though. Lose the Metallica.
Suzy dominates and everything else is just average.
(obvious hyperbole) ;)
fishy1 wrote:
The most memorable was a song about Einstein's brain in the back of a Buick!
Now that I have to hear.
I first heard this song as part of collection I ordered from NPR. Every song in the collection was inspired by a piece of literature. This made for an eclectic mix. The most memorable was a song about Einstein's brain in the back of a Buick! I am posting because it seems unfair to call the song uninspired. It also seems incorrect to make the connections to Luka. And if the lyrics seem unintelligent, well . . . . literature isn't for everyone.
hmm, I don't really like this. Lyrics seem shallow and unoriginal, the melody is rather non-existent. Suzanne should consider venturing into other styles every once in a while, like this I get the feeling she is a one trick pony because all her songs sound the same to me. How about doing an album with metallica suzanne?
Great rainy day album.
smitchell wrote:
I love you Suzanne Vega.
Me too. Saw her a year ago in a small venue. Great show, one of the best I've seen in years.
I have to give this a 10, I have always loved this song, and Suzanne Vega's work...I cannot let it pass without raving about the brillance of this album, this song and many other Suzanne Vega compositions! RP I applaud you on this one!
japanmoran wrote:
"My name is Luka" ... umm no, "My Name is Calypso"
"Luka Calypso,...International Man of Mystery"
Like virtually all of the Solitude Standing album, this does nothing for me. I vastly prefer her first...please feel free to play anything off that one.
Anyone else digging the Homeric subtext of this song?
Man, you want to talk about fame (as we sometimes do herabouts), that Homer dude is hard to top.
Good stuff, RP--thx! :) 
:)
:)I just recently \"rediscovered\" this song. I am still unsure why I like it but it is so unconventional even for her.
Originally Posted by Leslie:
That someone would be me. Glad you appreciate it. :)
Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees-liieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Originally Posted by Broken_Ear:
Had considered to upload it myself, but someone was quicker.
Less work for me, more chocolate for my ears. ;)
That someone would be me. Glad you appreciate it. :)
\"My name is Luka\" ... umm no, \"My Name is Calypso\"
Had considered to upload it myself, but someone was quicker.
Less work for me, more chocolate for my ears. ;)
One of my favorite Vega songs. This is the first time I've ever heard it on any broadcast. Very nice. RP rules!