Luka (song)

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"Luka"

Single by Suzanne Vega
from the album Solitude Standing
Released	1987
Writer(s)	Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Vega singles chronology
"?" (?)	"Luka" (1987)	"?" (?)

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

"Luka" is written from the perspective of an abused boy named Luka, who is evasive about what sounds are coming from his apartment. He eventually opens up, trying to understand his situation.

"A few years ago, I used to see this group of children playing in front of my building, and there was one of them, whose name was Luka, who seemed a little bit distinctive from the other children. I always remembered his name, and I always remembered his face, and I didn't know much about him, but he just seemed set apart from these other children that I would see playing. And his character is what I based the song Luka on. In the song, the boy Luka is an abused child -- In real life I don't think he was. I think he was just different." Suzanne Vega, in a Swedish television special recorded 3 November 1987. [1]

Vega also recorded a Spanish version of the song in the studio, featured on the single.

The song was covered by The Lemonheads on their 1989 album 'Lick'.

The song is referenced in The Simpsons episode Realty Bites. Homer begins singing, "My name is Suka. I live on the second floor" while driving his car when suddenly the town villain Snake Jailbird jumps from a bridge into Homer's car.

This song is also referenced in the [July 30, 2003] edition of the web comic Penny Arcade.