Now Luka Here

Coming back from the football game today, which the boys narrowly lost, this tune came on the magic tune box.

Released as a single almost 20 years ago now, Luka by Suzanne Vega is a fantastically moving song about an abused boy who lives upstairs in her apartment block. She explained in interviews that she based the song on a boy called Luka who "just seemed set apart from these other children that I would see playing", however she had no reason to believe that the boy was abused in real life.

I have loved this song from the time it was released, something about the combination of the voice and the guitar breaks brings me close to tears every time I hear it (yes, I know I am a big softy...).

I went to see Suzanne Vega in concert in Glasgow when she toured to promote the Solitude Standing album that this track features on. I remember that she seemed to be a bit introverted and uptight when she initially came on stage but as the concert progressed she seemed to warm to the audience and it turned into a very good gig.

The video for the song is interesting, mixing stark black and white footage with some unexpected, impressionistic interludes.

Enjoy, but don't forget the Luka's out there...