Luka (song)
| "Luka" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Suzanne Vega | ||||
| from the album Solitude Standing | ||||
| Released | 1987 | |||
| Recorded | 1986 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 3:48 | |||
| Label | A&M | |||
| Writer(s) | Suzanne Vega | |||
| Suzanne Vega singles chronology | ||||
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"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 number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Vega also recorded a Spanish-language version of the song, featured on the single.
Luka earned Vega nominations at the 1988 Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Content
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."[1]
Music video
This video was directed by Michael Patterson & Candice Reckinge. It was shot over three days, in New York City. The part of Luka was played by actor Jason Cerbone, who was chosen after the directors auditioned more than 90 children for the part.
Charts
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[2] | 21 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[3] | 9 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[4] | 33 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 5 |
| France (SNEP)[5] | 24 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 11 |
| Italy (FIMI)[6] | 34 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[7] | 26 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8] | 8 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[9] | 2 |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 23 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[10] | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary[11] | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks[12] | 15 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Songs[13] | 48 |
Covers
- The song was covered by The Lemonheads on their 1989 album, Lick.[14]
- British indie group Easyworld covered the song on the B-side to their 2004 single "'til the day".
- The song was covered in a bossa nova style by Japanese band The Indigo on their 2004 album My Fair Melodies 2.
- Laith Al-Deen covered the song on his 2009 album Session.
- Olivia Ong also covered the song on her eponymous 2010 album.
- Kasey Chambers covered the song on her 2011 album, Storybook.
- Slug interpolated the song in the song "Suzanne Vega" by Felt.
References
- ↑ Writers Write Review
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Suzanne Vega – Luka". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Suzanne Vega – Luka" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Suzanne Vega – Luka" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Luka" (in French). Les classement single.
- ↑ "Hit Parade Italia - Indice per Interprete: V". Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
- ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Suzanne Vega search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Suzanne Vega – Luka". Top 40 Singles.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Luka". Singles Top 60.
- ↑ Mariah, Madonna Make Billboard Chart History
- ↑ Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
- ↑ Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks
- ↑ Hot Latin Songs
- ↑ http://www.evandando.co.uk/interviews/discoveries.html
External links
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