5. Suzanne Vega - "Tom's Diner (Long Version)"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNWyF3iSMzs Not many people know there are two versions of "Tom's Diner," mostly because the original was all but buried when it came to any sort of mainstream airplay. Unless you heard it the three times they actually played it on MTV or bought the album it appeared on (1987's Solitude Standing), this one likely passed you by. Which is just as well, as there's not much to it. The original is a very brief a cappella ditty that opens up the album, just before she segues into the popular bummer anthem "Luka." The one positive to this version is how light and airy Vega's voice sounds without all the added instrumentation. It's positively lilting! But ultimately, the sans-instrumental is no match for what British producers DNA were able to craft around those breathy vocals. Using the outro from the original (the "doo doo DUH doo, doo doo DUH doo" part) as the main hook and building a sexy, new jack swing beat around the whole thing. This was all done without Vega's permission, initially, though she became fond of their take on it and decided to strike a deal to re-release it as a single in 1990. Oh, and just for fun, it should be noted that Tom's Diner is a real place in New York City, and was later known as Monk's Cafe in Seinfeld. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLP6QluMlrg