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Suzanne Vega — Luka
Album: Solitude Standing
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1464









Released: 1987
Length: 3:48
Plays (last 30 days): 0
My name is Luka
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes, I think you've seen me before

If you hear something late at night
Some kind of trouble, some kind of fight
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was

I think it's 'cause I'm clumsy
I try not to talk too loud
Maybe it's because I'm crazy
I try not to act too proud

They only hit until you cry
After that you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore
Just don't argue anymore
Just don't argue anymore

Yes, I think I'm okay
I walked into the door again
If you ask, that's what I'll say
And it's not your business anyway

I guess I'd like to be alone
With nothing broken, nothing thrown
Just don't ask me how I am
Just don't ask me how I am
Just don't ask me how I am

My name is Luka
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes, I think you've seen me before

If you hear something late at night
Some kind of trouble, some kind of fight
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was

And they only hit until you cry
After that, you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore
Just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore
Comments (42)add comment
 jelgator wrote:



Maybe a little less espresso throughout the day.....


Funny how so often the reaction to a woman's emotion--any emotion--is to tell her she ought to be silent.  Nope, not having it.  The irony is that this song is about that exact kneejerk reaction, assuring the folks who see the narrator's battered face that they can just pretend she's silent.  

Good on Suzanne Vega, and the original commenter, for making people see the abused.  
Another 80s great. lyrics, melody and voice 👍👍
Saw her in 2022 and it was fantastic. My kids still remember Luka from our many van rides where she was a regular in the CD player. Love SV!
 VH1 wrote:
When I look at the comments here, I get really furious! What stupid comments about a song that describes domestic violence!!!
 
Either child abuse or spousal abuse, no one here seems to show the slightest interest in the matter, whereas when one looks at the comments the song "Dont fear the Reaper" gets, one can only surmise that suicide is more a subject of worry to most here than when "upstairs" in a house a child or woman gets a repeated beating.
 
THAT is really despicable. So its okay to beat a child or a woman, but it is NOT okay to kill oneself?
 
What about when "Luca" commits suicide becomes she/he cant take the fxxxing beatings no more?
 
And no one is helping, because seeing the comments here, no one would help! Definitely no one here! Instead stupid gifs get posted! Thats is not only thoughtless, that is fxxxing horrible!
 
Domestic violence is obviously nothing to loose sleep about, whereas the "the song needs a vacation".
 
This song needs no "vacation" obviously it needs more playing, maybe then someone would listen to the blxxdy lyrics!



Maybe a little less espresso throughout the day.....
Been too long since I heard this song
I was twelve when this came out. I Still Love it!
NO MORE VEGA!!!
My name is Luka
I live on the second floor
 
So Luka is the person training the elephants all day and night!  Why won't the apartment manager do anything.
Woe; it is hard to believe that this was released in 1987; how time flies!
 Faithful_Fool wrote:
Well, you are defintely a finely talented gaggle -- thank you. Absoluteed precious.

 direction swing partner weave directionpartner GIF 


When I look at the comments here, I get really furious! What stupid comments about a song that describes domestic violence!!!
 
Either child abuse or spousal abuse, no one here seems to show the slightest interest in the matter, whereas when one looks at the comments the song "Dont fear the Reaper" gets, one can only surmise that suicide is more a subject of worry to most here than when "upstairs" in a house a child or woman gets a repeated beating.
 
THAT is really despicable. So its okay to beat a child or a woman, but it is NOT okay to kill oneself?
 
What about when "Luca" commits suicide becomes she/he cant take the fxxxing beatings no more?
 
And no one is helping, because seeing the comments here, no one would help! Definitely no one here! Instead stupid gifs get posted! Thats is not only thoughtless, that is fxxxing horrible!
 
Domestic violence is obviously nothing to loose sleep about, whereas the "the song needs a vacation".
 
This song needs no "vacation" obviously it needs more playing, maybe then someone would listen to the blxxdy lyrics!
 kcar wrote:


Love your gif but wow this song needs a vacation. You wonder how an artist must feel when she realizes that a song she loved and slaved over is getting played to death on FM. 


 
The royalties help with the those feelings.
Luka moved away and now she lives in Toronto in a big house right on the lake
 kcar wrote:
Love your gif but wow this song needs a vacation. You wonder how an artist must feel when she realizes that a song she loved and slaved over is getting played to death on FM. 
 
I doubt this song gets much FM airplay these days; but generally, most artists enjoy having their work noticed and appreciated - even if it is overdone.  She may not want to play this song during a live performance but probably doesn't mind receiving royalties when it is played on the radio.
 Faithful_Fool wrote:
Bill, you and your segues. 
You make it seem so easy. Thanks!

 direction swing partner weave directionpartner GIF 

 

Love your gif but wow this song needs a vacation. You wonder how an artist must feel when she realizes that a song she loved and slaved over is getting played to death on FM. 


 Namgev wrote:
Does this remind anyone else of a song that starts, "My name is Edgar" that continues about being a party man? No idea of who did that one but it gets stuck in my head whenever I hear this one.

 
John Gorka's Edgar the Party Man!

It's on utube
 
 Namgev wrote:
Does this remind anyone else of a song that starts, "My name is Edgar" that continues about being a party man? No idea of who did that one but it gets stuck in my head whenever I hear this one.

 
Haha, I know that tune! Have you been listening to KPIG again? ;-) That was Bill's previous gig, and a great (brick and mortar) station that I still listen to daily, especially when things get a little too trance-y for my taste.
Bill, you and your segues. 
You make it seem so easy. Thanks!

 direction swing partner weave directionpartner GIF 
Watched a documentary on Netflix the other night called The Hunting Grounds.

All about sexual assault and rape on campus.  

Not sure I will ever think about fraternities in the same way ever again. 
 dwhayslett wrote:
 That sentence gave me mental whiplash.  {#Laughing}

 
Didn't know that condition existed either.........
 unclehud wrote:
How strange that someone alive today would've named her 15-years-ago album "Best Of ..." 

 
The "Retrospective.Best of..." album was released in 2003, and it was released by - and probably named by - her label.
 calypsus_1 wrote:
I do not believe in "love at first sight" .... but it exists. 

That sentence gave me mental whiplash.  {#Laughing}

Ironic that this song about domestic violence comes on right after a song authored by Bertrand Cantat... or by design?  Only Bill knows...


Still too soon to play again after being OVER PLAYED all those years ago
this song is just so painfully AWFUL
 fredriley wrote:

I play Bridge, but I'm a palookah!
To ease my pain, I smoke a hookah.

Ok, that's a bit disrespectful for a fine song about domestic violence, but I couldn't resist the temptation.

 
{#Lol}


This is so weak - what is going on, been a massive dip in quality these past few days {#Beat}
I won't write here it's overplayed. I'll write this tune is still great, her voice, the lyrics, the little story. This woman is such an artist.
 calypsus_1 wrote:

I do not believe in "love at first sight" .... but it exists. Since the first time i heard the songs of Suzanne Vega, i was fascinated by the aesthetic musical, attitude, and captured by this young artist, then 28 years old, fragile, simple and delicate figure, which contrasted with the seriousness and depth of your messages in the form of songs deeply emotional, comprising the vinyl 33 rpm 1987 studio-album "Solitude Standing", and Suzanne's previous 1985 álbum. I immediately felt a great empathy for this singer. After these years the aesthetic attitude and musical Suzanne Vega remained faithful to the chosen path, without ziz-zag, or ephemeral temptations, and so I also kept adept and in tune with the artist, because i still believe in strength and usefulness of your messages based on the values of life.
I believe Suzanne is part of the cast of singer-songwriter who does not work in a function of, or taking in the sights success, glamor, sales tables, the allure of the mundane aspect that befuddles many others.
I think for Suzanne Vega's values and principles that speak louder. And it is difficult to maintain this attitude, because many artists are somewhat discriminated against by maintaining this attitude.
On the other hand, of course, that any musician to feel joy be recognized, and its message is echoed in people.
And then, there is a fundamental aspect for me, while music enthusiast, what is "resistant" to insist on certain songs that endure in time, almost earn a living, surpassing the artists who created them.
And it is a misconception that a quality song that goes of "bowels" of genuine artist, wears and exhausts itself, being often heard in places as different as a subway station, an elevator, an office, radio stations, or an amphi-theater full of people. Definitely not.
A poet, a painter, singer-songwriter, is the same wherever you are.
And i continue to dazzle me today, every time i hear the songs of Suzanne Vega. Blessed these creatures that populate the Earth, and they do a little happier our days.


........... Agee with all that above :))
 
 

Does this remind anyone else of a song that starts, "My name is Edgar" that continues about being a party man? No idea of who did that one but it gets stuck in my head whenever I hear this one.
Say what you will about Suzanne but I'm a fan.  She's a very sharp woman...Barnard College graduate.  This song was overplayed but that should not detract from its essence.  {#Good-vibes}

I do not believe in "love at first sight" .... but it exists. Since the first time i heard the songs of Suzanne Vega, i was fascinated by the aesthetic musical, attitude, and captured by this young artist, then 28 years old, fragile, simple and delicate figure, which contrasted with the seriousness and depth of your messages in the form of songs deeply emotional, comprising the vinyl 33 rpm 1987 studio-album "Solitude Standing", and Suzanne's previous 1985 álbum. I immediately felt a great empathy for this singer. After these years the aesthetic attitude and musical Suzanne Vega remained faithful to the chosen path, without ziz-zag, or ephemeral temptations, and so I also kept adept and in tune with the artist, because i still believe in strength and usefulness of your messages based on the values of life.
I believe Suzanne is part of the cast of singer-songwriter who does not work in a function of, or taking in the sights success, glamor, sales tables, the allure of the mundane aspect that befuddles many others.
I think for Suzanne Vega's values and principles that speak louder. And it is difficult to maintain this attitude, because many artists are somewhat discriminated against by maintaining this attitude.
On the other hand, of course, that any musician to feel joy be recognized, and its message is echoed in people.
And then, there is a fundamental aspect for me, while music enthusiast, what is "resistant" to insist on certain songs that endure in time, almost earn a living, surpassing the artists who created them.
And it is a misconception that a quality song that goes of "bowels" of genuine artist, wears and exhausts itself, being often heard in places as different as a subway station, an elevator, an office, radio stations, or an amphi-theater full of people. Definitely not.
A poet, a painter, singer-songwriter, is the same wherever you are.
And i continue to dazzle me today, every time i hear the songs of Suzanne Vega. Blessed these creatures that populate the Earth, and they do a little happier our days.


Radio Paradise has really made me love Suzanne Vega's music more and more. 
How strange that someone alive today would've named her 15-years-ago album "Best Of ..." 
I can live with this not being played more than 1 or 2 times a year. So overplayed at the time in NYC....still can't hear it as fresh.

And a powerful, and very sad story; at least giving voice to the horrors of abuse.
Love Hugh Padgham's production. Good tune. Sad topic.

25 years listening to this song, never ceases to amaze me...

(only 4 comments? weird)
 Jack_Jefferson wrote:
My name is Luka
I'm from Paducah!
 
I play Bridge, but I'm a palookah!
To ease my pain, I smoke a hookah.

Ok, that's a bit disrespectful for a fine song about domestic violence, but I couldn't resist the temptation.

Suzanne Vega - Luka, Live-acoustic

"Beautiful performance.Total class. A diamond in an unfortunate world of talentless crap.Thank you."     jockwenn

"SHE IS AMAZING! The thing she doing on the guitar is really hard to do at the same time as you sing! "     sagger93

 


My name is Luka
I'm from Paducah!
...last time this song was played was sept 12 2001...hmmm....