"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" ( wkipédia)
My name is Luka - Je m'appelle Luka
I Live on the second floor - second floor I live
I live upstairs from you - I am your neighbor top
Yes I think you've seen me before - Yes I think you've already seen me
If You Hear Something Late at Night - If you hear noise late at night
Some kind of disorder. Some Kind of Fight - A kind of disorder, a kind of dispute
Just do not ask me What it was - Do not ask me just what it was
Just Do not Ask Me What It Was - Do not ask me just what it was
Just do not Ask Me What It Was - Do not ask me just what it was
I think it's because I'm clumsy - I think it's because I'm clumsy
I try not to talk too loud - I try not to talk too loud
Maybe it's because I'm crazy - Perhaps it is because I'm crazy
I try not to act too Proud - I try not to be too arrogant
Theys only hit Until You Cry - They strike only until you cry
And After That you do not ask why - And after that, you do not ask me i pourquo
argues You just do not anymore - You simply stops you play
argues You just do not anymore - You simply stops you play
You just do not
argues anymore - You simply stops you play
Yes I think I'm okay - Yes I think I'm fine
I Walked Into The Door Again - I'm still ax to the door
Well, if you ask that's What I'll say - If you ask me, that's what I would say
And it's not your business anyway - And it does not concern you anyway
I guess I'd like to be alone - I think I want to be left alone
With nothing broken, nothing thrown - Without breaking my, me without hesitation in the face
Just do not ask me how I am - Do not ask me simply not how it goes
Just do not ask me how I am - Do not ask me just not how it goes
Just do not ask me how I am - Do not ask me just not how it goes
Excerpts from an article written by Suzanne Vega (Very Interesting) about the writing of this song, its production, recording and success in the charts despite a difficult subject to understand; abuse suffered by children. It Was The Time Has my manager, Ron Fierstein, Who plucked "Luka" out. "Is that song about what i think it's about?" He Asked In The One Day back of Folk City. My memory of that conversation goes something like this:
“I don’t know,” I said. “What do you think it’s about?”
“Unless I am mistaken it seems to be from the point of view of a child who is abused.”
“That’s right. A 9-year-old boy named Luka.”
“Where did you get the name from?”
“A 9-year-old boy who lives in my building. Who is not abused, by the way. I like the name Luka, it’s universal. It could be a girl or boy and it could be any nationality.”
“Well, I think that song could be a hit.” he said. Here I hooted at him.
“What are you talking about? Nobody wants to hear about child abuse. Nobody asks for that song. They want ‘Gypsy’ or ‘The Queen and the Soldier.’”
“It’s a song about a social issue. Songs about social issues are important. We don’t have enough of them now. This generation needs to have more.” This was in 1985.
“I didn’t write it to be be about a social issue — I wrote it as a little portrait. I hate songs about social issues. Everybody knows they don’t work.”
“Well, it is still a song about a social issue. It’s the issue of child abuse, you said it yourself. And how can you say they don’t work?
We stopped the Vietnam War with the music we made in the 70’s!” he began to shout, his cheeks flushing pink."
