in 1987, I was with a woman one evening, and had this song on a mix-tape (cassette!) playing in the background. Not familiar with it, she was listening quietly and halfway through started crying, to full-blown sobs. Turned out she had a very abusive childhood and even years later, with a son of her own, it was still very raw to her. I wonder if now, 35 years on, probably a grandmother, she ever hears this and remembers that evening.
Speaking from a musician's view, I have always been very impressed with the structure of this song. It is so well produced. Great lead guitar which is so complimentary to the song. And of course, Suzanne Vega's voice is angelic. A good platform for the message of abuse. Way to go Suzanne!
This is one of the most beautiful yet saddest songs ever, sang by one of the best singers with the sweetest voice & a most angelic face. Used to ask my then & now late beautiful daughter (RIP Princess) to sing it for me. At the time I didn't know &/or understand what the lyrics really meant. A sad & cry for help for abused children & all who suffer abuse in silence. Suzanne Vega is the G.O.A.T.
Whilst the lyrics are brilliant, the reality is that the instrumental of this song is just out of this world. One of the very best ever and extremely underrated.
Me. First time I heard this song was this same line up playing at DAR Constitution Hall...she opened with an a Capella Toms Diner and then they broke into this and just nailed it.
First time I heard her voice was on a song called I’m in a Lonely Place Without You by the Smithereens.. I went to the album liner notes to see who she was.. about 2 months later is when I first heard Luka, and I said to myself I know that voice, lol
Very few songs stand the test of time...this one does about as well as any. Luka sounds as innovative and fresh today as it did in 1987. Love the guitar solos!
This is such a beautiful song in so many ways. I was a teenager in the 1980s when this song came out. I didn't appreciate its full meaning until a few years later when I "grew up." My wife and I enjoyed Ms. Vega when she performed at a county venue in Maryland a few years ago.
This is one of those rare songs that i can listen to over and over and over again. and never tire of it. Her voice takes my breath away, it's mesmerising. Then you have the superb musicians. What a song.
I was only in elementary school when this song came out and was strangely drawn to it even though I didn't know fully understand what it meant. Grew up in an abusive home, and now I know why I was drawn to the lyrics.
Lovely music, a deeply sad story. I almost did not understand it when it was released back in the 80's, I only loved the music. Visiting it back now is great. Love Suzanne for this amazing great song.
Brian Swezey Well, isn´t it always so, that every new generation believes, that the "music" they hear in their "teens" is the only real music ever made. And everyting else is just worse? My "teens" were between 1968 and 1974, so most rock music after mid 70s means very little to me. Now I am more into Jazz, folk, world and indeed more accoustic music like this.
@Kurt.Dk-55 I understand what you're saying,and i'm a lot younger that you sir,but to be fair,most of the things we have today suck big time or are a shaddy remake of what was made in the past.
Nothing but positivity from me. I love Suzanne Vega's music and this song 'Luka' won a Grammy award. One of my favourite songs of the 1980's. Here she's performing 'Luka' on Wogan. I watched Suzanne Vega live with June on 21st of June 2007 at the New Tyne Theatre, Newcastle. A fantastic concert.
Suzanne you are the best! I have this album. One of my favourites. You are such a warm person its easy to see by your Lyrics, your face tells so much when you sing. You really feel it! Beautiful. Burton Trent
This song makes me cry every time. Child abuse is horrible every time and always and everywhere. People who abuse children are cowards and need to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Growing up in the 60’s there were those of us who got beat by their mothers and there were those who got hit by their fathers.I was beat by Both and I’m not complaining
prince adored that song !!! he gave his props to Susan way back in the 80s Talk about “praise from Caesar.” Suzanne Vega recently posted an unearthed letter she received from Prince on Facebook, and it’s a doozy. “Dearest Suzanne,” the letter begins. “Luka is the most compelling piece of music I’ve heard in a long time. There are no words 2 tell you all the things I feel when I hear it. I thank God 4 u.” (“Luka” was released in 1987 and reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains her highest-charting song in the U.S. and earned nominations for record of the year, song of the year and best female pop vocal performance at the 1988 Grammy Awards.)
Terrific songwriter and still has one of the most seductive voices in music. This is a great song and when she sings 99 Fahrenheit degrees and Caramel I melt into my chair.
Wow now yes this song bring's back so many memory's I heard this song when I was in my early twenty's and got it on single record which I still have as many other song's that were great back then in the 80'es had a tear reading some of the comments.
Suzanne Vega, one of my all time favorite albums, so many beautiful songs, The queen and the soldier, Small blue thing, Freeze tag, Marlena on the wall, all brilliant.
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My brother introduced me song, even now I shed tears for his incredible sense of what he was saying to me about how songs like this brought the awareness of child abuse. Rest In Peace my brother. EVB I AM STILL ROCKING THE DRUMS
I am 55 years old, I am autistic and this song describes my childhood, it speaks to me. Too quiet, too passive, never in the right place, always annoying, but above all not crying, not screaming, being invisible, trying to no longer exist Every day was a victory, wait for the next day, just survive.
This is from the 'Wogan' show in 1987 (I remember recording it on VHS)! The other guest is the legendary broadcaster and cricket commentator Brian Johnston. The musicians are miming (as was the BBC way back then), but I have seen Suzanne Vega sing this live many times, and she is one of those rare artists that sound better live than on record.
Still listening to Suzanne periodically. I saw her in an up-close and personal concert at The Boathouse in Norfolk some years ago. Best acoustic concert I ever heard. I attended with a college buddy of hers so we got to chat with her for a while afterwards. That was a nice bonus to a great concert.
I work in a Child Abuse Investigation Unit, this song has so much meaning for my colleagues and me. The lyrics read so much like so many of our cases. We work closely with Children's Services and we each have about 70 cases on the go at any time. I've been doing the job for over 15 years and it can be very rewarding, it can also be very stressful and probably contributed to my heart attack and subsequent by pass surgery 18 months ago. Back at work now and still motivated. I could have retired 3 years ago at 60, I may well go on to 65.
She's putting it mildly. Thank god she puts in into music.. So many people used to think I was just complaining. No, you assholes, I wasn't. You begin to realize that if people didn't go through it, they just don't get it. And they never ever will. And that's it. You can't explain to someone what they don't personally understand. It's just impossible. nuff said. I think I have a heart of gold because of it. Most people would have shattered.
Much thanks to the composer of this beautiful melody-song. Even so too to the text-writer and the great Interpretation from Susanne Wega. I (*1960) love this heavy Song to hear everytime anymore again. Best health to everybody from Kassel (Central Germany)😁
I was abused as a child. When I was around 8 or 9 I decided I wouldn't cry no matter how much it hurt, This seemed to make the beatings worse. But I never cried in front of my father. At 15 I ran away for good.
I loved this song as a kid, it's only now that I'm older and wiser that l understand what the song is about and how powerful the words are. I have the most respect for anyone in this situation that finds the strength to get away. I really hope that things are better for you now
The hardest thing I ever had to overcome(except maybe quitting smoking😁) was the desire to spank my boy. Growing up in a society where it was the done thing to apply the strap I never could see the point of it when all it did was make me angry. I even did stuff KNOWING I was gonna get a hiding! ....I smacked my son once on a padded backside and the look he gave me reminded me of how I used to feel. The cycle has to stop somewhere and frankly he made me a better person figuring out alternatives....like waterboarding😳
