MULTIMEDIA-ENGLISH
Luka (Suzanne Vega)
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Video page URL
https://multimedia-english.com/videos/music/luka-suzanne-vega-6791
Description

"Luka" is a song dealing with the issue of child abuse. Written and recorded by Suzanne Vega, released as a single in 1987, it was her highest-charting hit.

Transcript

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
You just don't argue anymore
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'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

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
You just don't argue anymore






Explanations

TROUBLE = Problem,


FIGHT = A quarrel or a physical conflict between two or more individuals.


'CAUSE = (coll.) Because.


CLUMSY = Not having much skill,


LOUD = (adv.) In a high volume,


CRAZY = Mad, insane,


PROUD = Arrogant.


HIT = Beat, strike.


CRY = To shed tears, especially as a result of strong emotion such as grief, sorrow, pain, or joy.


ARGUE = Dispute = to present or state reasons for or against a thing; to try to understand the reason why; to protest.


ANYMORE = Ever again.


I WALKED INTO THE DOOR = I accidentally hit myself against the door (because I was walking and didn't see it).


IT'S NOT YOUR BUSINESS = It's my problem, you shouldn't be interested in it.


ANYWAY = You use anyway when you are adding a remark to something you have just said. Usually the remark is something you have just thought of, and makes your previous statement seem less important or relevant.


GUESS = Suppose,


BROKEN = Past Participle for the verb To Break,


THROWN = Past Participle for the verb To throw ; to hurl or propel from the hand.

Meaning

The song deals with the issue of child abuse. On a 1987 Swedish television special, Vega revealed her inspiration for Luka:

"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".
(Wikipedia)