F3 to E4 in the song. It was certified Gold in Germany in 1990. Critical reception Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Don't miss the exceptional "Tom's Diner", by DNA featuring Suzanne Vega." He noted that the Brit outfit had placed "a slammin' Soul II Soul-flavored swing instrumental" underneath Vega's song, and also described the track as "indelibly infectious." Student newspaper Columbia Daily Spectator named it a "surprise hit". Marisa Fox from Entertainment Weekly complimented its dance beat as "mesmerizing". Patrick Goldstein from Los Angeles Times said, "Strange but true-almost." He added that the "waif-like pop songstress" has suddenly become the "queen of London's trendy club scene, thanks to her sinewy, Soul II Soul-style dance hit". Everett True from Melody Maker commented, "This is so f***ing smooth. You know the original, I'm sure Suzanne's unaccompanied tale of everyday morning life in the big city in the wake of a break-up, incisively, poignantly observed. Magical. Now imagine it set to an unobtrusive, mellow backbeat which slips down even easier. F***ing superb! What is it about today? Single of the week. No shit." A reviewer of Music & Media found that "the lonely vocal part is perfectly complemented by the Steely Dan type horns and the grinding hip-hop beat. A fine version." Music Week ranked the song number-one in their Top 10 list, Pick Of The Year - Dance. Diane Tameecha from The Network Forty felt the connection of Vega's "sensuously soft voice and the unlikely rhythm (for her music, anyway) is startlingly vibrant, and its jazziness is an instant ear-catcher." Mandi James from NME named it Single of the Week, writing, "A strange record, if only for the fact Suzanne Vega has previously failed to move me in anyway, except to get up and leave the room. Dropped against a sensual, tactile beat those irritatingly vacant girly vocals are miraculously transformed into a hypnotic, bitter sweet ballad. The crushing folking bore has been given a new lease of life and should be eternally grateful to plastic surgeons DNA. The nearest thing to perfection I've heard all week." Smash Hitss reviewer said remixes like this one "end up sounding far better than the originals and the result is rather refreshing." Alec Foege from Spin remarked that "Tom's Diner" was an international hit "only after DNA did a dance remix". Music video A music video was made to accompany the song. It was directed