Book & a Cover

"Book & a Cover" is a song by American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega, which was released in 1998 as a single from her compilation album Tried & True: The Best of Suzanne Vega. The song was written by Vega, and produced by Mitchell Froom and Tchad Blake.

"Book & a Cover"
Single by Suzanne Vega
from the album Tried & True: The Best of Suzanne Vega
Released	November 3, 1998[1]
Length	3:49
Label	A&M
Songwriter	Suzanne Vega
Producers	Mitchell Froom Tchad Blake
Suzanne Vega singles chronology
"Birth-day" (1997) "Book & a Cover" (1998) "Rosemary (Remember Me)" (1999)
Music video
"Book & a Cover" on YouTube

Background

"Book & a Cover" was one of two new songs to be recorded in 1998 and included on Vega's Tried & True: The Best of Suzanne Vega compilation album.^[2] The song was recorded and mixed at the Magic Shop in New York City.^[3] "Book & Cover" was released as the first single from Tried & True: The Best of Suzanne Vega in November 1998,^[1] followed by the other new song, "Rosemary (Remember Me)", in 1999.

For the 40th week in 1998 (September 28 to October 4), "Book & a Cover" was one of eleven tracks identified by Music & Media as being the "most added" to radio playlists across Europe.^[4] In the UK, BBC Radio 2 added the song to their B-List.^[5] The song reached No. 5 on the Music & Media "Major Market Airplay" chart for Poland in October 1998.^[6]

Speaking of the song's message in 1998, Vega described it as "fairly obvious" and "about not judging people by their appearance".^[7] The song's music video was directed by Geoff Moore and produced by Frank Linkoff for Black Dog Films.^[8]

Critical reception

Paul Sexton of Music & Media described "Book & a Cover" as "accessible".^[2] In a review of Tried & True: The Best of Suzanne Vega, Ted Mills of AllMusic praised the song as a "quality entry in Vega's songbook".^[9] Mike Devlin of the Times Colonist noted, "By including 15 of her best songs along with two new tracks, 'Book & a Cover' and 'Rosemary', this fine songstress shines strictly for the masses this time out."^[10] Diego Perugini of the Italian newspaper l'Unità described "Book & a Cover" and "Rosemary" as "two fresh, essential, melodic pieces".^[11]

Track listing

CD single

1. "Book & a Cover" – 3:49
2. "Tom's Diner" – 2:09
3. "As Girls Go" – 3:26
4. "Cracking" – 2:47

CD single (German release)

1. "Book & a Cover" – 3:49
2. "Tom's Diner" – 2:09

CD single (UK promo)

1. "Book & a Cover" – 3:49

Personnel

Book & a Cover

• Suzanne Vega – vocals, acoustic guitar
• Pete Thomas – drums
• Ron Sexsmith – electric guitar
• Mitchell Froom – keyboards

Production

• Mitchell Froom – producer on "Book & a Cover" and "As Girls Go"
• Tchad Blake – producer on "Book & a Cover", recording and mixing on "Book & a Cover" and "As Girls Go"
• Lenny Kaye – producer of "Tom's Diner" and "Cracking"
• Steve Addabbo – producer and engineer on "Tom's Diner" and "Cracking"
• Rod O'Brien – engineer on "Tom's Diner"
• Shelly Yakus – mixing on "Tom's Diner"