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
"Gypsy" (1986) "Luka" (1987) "Tom's Diner" (1987)

"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 deals with the issue of domestic violence.

Music video

This video was directed by Michael Patterson and 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 (Kent Music Report)[1]	21
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[2]	9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[3]	33
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	5
France (SNEP)[4]	24
Ireland (IRMA)	11
Italy (FIMI)[5]	34
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[6]	26
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[7]	8
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[8]	2
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)	23
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[9]	3
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary[10]	3
U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks[11]	15
U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Songs[12]	48

Follow-up

During a 2012 episode of BBC Radio 4's Mastertapes, Vega revealed that she had written a follow-up to 'Luka', from the point of view of the character as he looked back on his life. The song, titled 'Song of the Stoic', would later feature on her 2014 album Tales from the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles'.

Covers

• The song was covered by The Lemonheads on their 1989 album, Lick.^[13]
• 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.
• Hildur Vala Einarsdóttir covered the song on her eponymous 2005 album.

References

1. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 329. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid 1983 and June 19, 1988.
2. "Austriancharts.at – Suzanne Vega – Luka" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
3. "Ultratop.be – Suzanne Vega – Luka" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
4. "Lescharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Luka" (in French). Les classement single.
5. "Hit Parade Italia - Indice per Interprete: V". Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
6. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Suzanne Vega search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
7. "Charts.org.nz – Suzanne Vega – Luka". Top 40 Singles.
8. "Swedishcharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Luka". Singles Top 100.
9. Mariah, Madonna Make Billboard Chart History
10. Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
11. Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks
12. Hot Latin Songs
13. http://www.evandando.co.uk/interviews/discoveries.html

External links

• Vega on writing "Luka"