Tom’s Diner

~ Recording by Suzanne Vega

Annotation

The "Mother of the MP3" - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom%27s_Diner#The_.22Mother_of_the_MP3.22

“While the MP3 compression format is not specifically tuned to play the song "Tom's Diner" (an assortment of critically analyzed material was involved in the design of the codec over many years), among audio engineers this anecdote has earned Vega the informal title "The Mother of the MP3".”

Annotation last modified on 2017-03-29 18:42 UTC.

Appears on releases

#TitleLengthTrack ArtistRelease TitleRelease ArtistRelease Group TypeCountry/DateLabelCatalog#
Official
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
A&M RecordsCD 5136
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude Standing (Distribution code POL 900, GEMA on disc, MADE IN W. GERMANY BY PDO in matrix.)Suzanne VegaAlbum
  • DE1987-05-04
A&M Records395 136-2, CD 395136-2
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
A&M Records, BMG Direct Marketing, Inc. (BMG company that owned their direct marketing company/club editions)CD 5136, D 160163
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
A&M Records395136-1
1.1Tom’s Diner2:08Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
A&M Records395136-1
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
A&M Records, Inc.CD 5136
1.1Tom’s Diner2:08Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
A&M RecordsSP-5136
1.1Tom’s Diner2:10Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
A&M RecordsSUZCD2
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
A&M RecordsCD 5136, DX 1743
1.2Tom's Diner2:06Suzanne VegaTom's AlbumSuzanne Vega & Various ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
  • -1991
A&M Records395 363-2
1.2Tom’s Diner2:06Suzanne VegaTom’s AlbumSuzanne Vega & Various ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
A&M Records75021 5363 2
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
  • JP1993-04-01
A&M RecordsPOCM-1843
2.8Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaWas het nu 70 of 80? Volume 2Various ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
EVA (for use with NL/BE/FR releases only. see annotation)7243 840724 2
1.4Tom’s Diner2:08Suzanne VegaNo Cheap ThrillSuzanne VegaSingle
A&M Records581 869-2
1.1Tom's Diner2:09Suzanne Vega80's LullabiesVarious ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
Mikrofona ierakstiMRCD 474
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
  • JP2012-09-19
A&M RecordsUICY-25307
2.1Tom’s Diner2:10Suzanne Vega5 Classic AlbumsSuzanne VegaAlbum + Compilation
A&M Records, Ltd.5376708, 5376709, 5376710, 5376711, 5376712
1.1Tom’s Diner2:08Suzanne VegaSolitude Standing (translucent purple vinyl)Suzanne VegaAlbum
UMe (imprint of Universal Music Enterprises), A&M RecordsB0026079-01
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
A&M Records
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
A&M Records395136-2, CD 395136-2
1.1Tom’s Diner2:06Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingSuzanne VegaAlbum
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude Standing (Distribution code POL 900, Made in France by PMDC, GEMA in Booklet only)Suzanne VegaAlbum
A&M RecordsCD 395136-2
1.1Tom’s Diner2:09Suzanne VegaSolitude Standing (Made in Germany by EDC, Price Code: POL 900)Suzanne VegaAlbum
A&M Records395136-2, CD 395136-2

Relationships

sound engineer:Robin Danar
engineer:Steve Addabbo
Rod O’Brien
producer:Steve Addabbo
Lenny Kaye
mixer:Shelly Yakus
vocals:Suzanne Vega
sampled by:Dopefiend's Diner by 2Pac (US rapper)
ELpH Outtake by Coil (UK cross-genre industrial group)
Tom’s Diner (7″ version) by DNA (90s UK dance, key tracks "Tom's Diner", "Can You Handle It?") feat. Suzanne Vega
mash-ups:If You Wanna by E-603
Simple Mashures (The Young Punx vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers vs. Kelis vs. Suzanne Vega) by DJ Schmolli
stream for free:https://open.spotify.com/track/6OKUhXuJMvoVPde9fMJJzy [info]
recording of:Tom’s Diner

Related works

Tom’s Diner

lyricist and writer:Suzanne Vega
composer:Suzanne Vega (in 1982)
publisher:Waifer Songs Ltd.
Warner Chappell North America
WB Music Corp. (1929–2019)
referred to in medleys:Polka Your Eyes Out (order: 2)
later translated parody versions:Aamupalahumppa
later translated versions:Dep De Dö Dep
has revision:Tom’s Diner (reprise)