Luka (song)

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"Luka" is a song recorded by Suzanne Vega and released in 1987.

"Luka" is about child abuse from the perspective of a neighbor talking with the protagonist of the song. A boy, called Luka, is evasive about what sounds are coming from his apartment. He eventually opens up, trying to understand his situation. Why is he getting beaten? Is he clumsy, loud, crazy, proud? It doesn't make sense. All he is learned is that "they only hit until you cry." Then, after the writer tries to engage him again, "it's not your business anyway" and he would "just like to be alone."

Though Suzanne Vega has confirmed that "Luka" is indeed about child abuse, many also inteprete it as being about spousal abuse since Luka can be a woman's name as well. The excuse Luka makes about walking into the door again is often used by battered women. "They" could also refer to wife abusers in general as women who have been in a abusive relationship once have a higher chance of starting another abusive relationship than women who haven't.

Also covered by the Lemonheads on their 1989 album "Lick".

Lyrics

''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 kinf of fight

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

Yes I think I'm okay

I walked into the door again

If you ask that's what I'll say

It's not your business anyway

I guess I like to be alone

With nothing broken, nothing thrown

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

They only hit until you cry

After that you don't ask why

You just don't argue anymore

You just don't argue anymore''

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