That Was a Hit?!?: DNA Featuring Suzanne Vega, 'Tom's Diner'

Soundcheck | Jun 3, 2013

"I wanted to talk about an improbable hit, but not a terrible hit." That's what music writer and chart columnist Chris Molanphy had to say about choosing "Tom's Diner" -- DNA's remix of the a cappella Suzanne Vega song -- for our That Was a Hit?!? series.

After Vega released the song on her 1987 album Solitude Standing, the British production duo DNA released a remix of the song in 1990. "They picked a very popular beat at the time -- it's most well known as backing up Soul II Soul's late 1989 hit 'Back To Life,'" says Molanphy. "This is kind of an early mashup." After being officially co-released by Vega, the song eventually became a top 10 pop and R&B hit.

Get the full story behind the "Tom's Diner" above -- and check out the video for the song, below.

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