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Friday, 6 November 2009

SUZANNE VEGA: "LUKA"

Suzanne Vega


"Luka" is a song recorded by Suzanne Vega and released as a single in 1987. It remains her highest-charting hit in the United States, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song was one of the earliest to deal with child abuse and domestic violence. One critic said, "the 'happy' music is a metaphorical denial, making this seem beautiful and serene while discussing something terrible and devastating. It is a wonderful use of tune as a metaphor for how many abuse victims also deny their abuse, and is a profound classic".
"Luka" is written from the perspective of an abused boy of that name who is evasive about what sounds are coming from his apartment. He eventually opens up, trying to understand his situation."A few years ago, I used to see this group of children playing in front of my building, and there was one of them, whose name was Luka, who seemed a little bit distinctive from the other children. I always remembered his name, and I always remembered his face, and I didn't know much about him, but he just seemed set apart from these other children that I would see playing. And his character is what I based the song Luka on. In the song, the boy Luka is an abused child -- In real life I don't think he was. I think he was just different."—Suzanne Vega, in a Swedish television special recorded 3 November 1987
"LUKA" lyrics for karaoke:


"LUKA" original videoclip with lyrics:

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