Luka
Suzanne Vega
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High speed drift on a prairie road Hot tires sing like a string being bowed Sudden town rears up then explodes Fragments resolve into white line code Whirl on silver wheels Black earth energy receptor fields Undulate under a grey cloud shield We outrun a river color brick red mud That cleaves apart hills soil rich as blood Highway squeeze in construction steam Stop caution hard hat yellow insect machines Silver steel towers stalk rolling land Toward distant stacks that shout "Feed on demand" One hundred miles later the sky has changed Urban anticipation, we get 4 lanes Red orange furnace sphere notches down Throws up silhouette skyline in brown Sun dogs flare on windshield glass Sudden swoop skyward iron horse overpass Pass a man walking like the man in the moon Walking like his head's full of Irish fiddle tunes The skin around every city looks the same Miles of flat neon spelling well-known names Used trucks dirty donuts you you're the one Fat wheeled cars squeal into the sun Radio speakers gargle top 40 trash Muzak soundtrack to slow collapse Planet engines pulsate in sidereal time If you listen close you can hear the whine
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5 fans
Written by: Suzanne Vega
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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10 facts about this song
Song Composition and Rhythm"Luka" is written in the key of E-flat Major with a tempo of approximately 180 beats per minute. The song combines elements of folk-pop and has a melodic, catchy chorus, making it easy for listeners to remember and relate to.
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Lyrics and Theme"Luka" deals with the issue of child abuse. Suzanne Vega wrote the song from a child's perspective, aiming at encouraging the public to end this societal evil. The name 'Luka' was inspired by a real boy who lived in Vega's building, although she later clarified that the boy was not a victim of abuse.
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Chart PerformanceReleased in 1987, "Luka" successfully climbed to No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was Vega's highest-charting single. It hit the top of the charts in several other countries such as New Zealand, Canada, and Poland.
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Critical ReceptionThe song received considerable critical acclaim for its topicality and Vega's sensitive handling of a dark subject. Many reviewers appreciated Vega's soft-spoken vocal style that echoed the innocence of the song's protagonist, Luka.
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Recognition and LegacyIn 1988, "Luka" earned Vega nominations for three Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. While it didn't win, the nominations solidified Vega's place on the global music stage.
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Impact on Society"Luka" spurred many discussions about child abuse and helped bring this critical issue to light. It remains one of the few pop songs to engage directly with this topic, ensuring its importance in the history of socially conscious music.
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Cover Versions"Luka" has been covered by various artists worldwide, contributing to the song's relevance and longevity. Artists from different genres, including pop, rock, jazz, and even punk, have made their own renditions of the song.
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Music VideoVega's music video for "Luka" featured actor Jason Cerbone, who later went on to star in the hit TV series “The Sopranos.” The video was nominated for the MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video in 1988.
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Album ReleaseThe song "Luka" features in Vega's second studio album 'Solitude Standing,' which was released in 1987. The album was Vega's most commercially successful release and garnered positive reviews from music critics.
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Enduring PresenceDespite being released over three decades ago, "Luka" continues to be a popular song and is widely recognized for its haunting melody and poignant storytelling. Vega often performs it at her live shows, revealing the song's enduring appeal.
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"Luka Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/27234554/Suzanne+Vega/Luka>.
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