She Wrote MYSTERIOUS 1987 Hit about a Boy…Years Later the Secret Finally Came OUT--Professor of Rock
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
- Coming up… an interview with iconic singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega who climbed up from the underground and had one of the biggest hits of 1987 with Luka. This hit song was one of the most unlikely hits of the decade because of its subject matter. When Suzanne played it for live audiences they never really liked it because it was sad and made them uncomfortable. So when her manager told her it should be her lead-off single she was shocked. She argued that it would never be hit, but he talked her into it. He was right… ASCAP awarded Luka the most performed song of the year and it went to the top of the charts…The thing is, Luka was written about another person, but many would find out decades later that the secret in the song was about Suzanne Vega herself. The story next on Professor of Rock
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It’s time for out latest edition of Revelations- where featured artists go deep on their greatest songs. Stories you won’t hear anywhere else! Today we have a special session with a singer songwriter who rose from the new york underground to become one of the most successful and respected female artists of the late 80s and 90s. Suzanne Vega had a great song in the John Hughes film Pretty in Pink in 1986 and then released a very thought provoking song about child abuse in 1987 called Luka about a little boy who lived in her apartment complex. Many call the song My Name Is Luka called but it’s not called that, it’s actually just Luka. As Vega was preparing to release here important sophomore album Solitude Standing, she would occasionally play Luka for live audiences but they never liked it. Once they figured out the song was about child abuse, she said it made them sad and uncomfortable.
So when her manager told her he thought that Luka would be a hit, she was shocked. In a past interview she said and I quote We had a big argument and he said, 'I think it's an important song, it's a song about abuse. This is the '80s and no one's writing songs about issues anymore. Music changed the world.' And I fought with him and I said, 'I don't think that music changed the world,' and he really let go: 'We ended the Vietnam war, you know, how can you tell me that music didn't change anything?' So in the end I said, 'Fine, knock yourself out.’” Her manager was exactly right. Luka became a #3 hit in 1987 and ASAP awarded it the most performed song of the year and it was actually nominated for several Grammy Award including Record of the Year and Song of the Year back when the Grammies actually meant something. Even though Luka was told from the perspective of a little boy, Suzanne Vega was hiding a secret from her past in the song that would come out until decades later. Find out what it is and the story of the real Luka in our exclusive interview next.
Thanks for watching make sure to leave us a comment about Suzanne and this 80s classic. - บันเทิง
Poll: What is your pick for the GREATEST Song by a FEMALE ARTIST from the 70s or 80s?
Both Sides Now Joni Mitchell
I'll nominate ... "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon.
Greatest Love Of All
I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet
Hell Is For Children
Olivia Newton-John "Magic"
@@ProfessorofRock Edge of Seventeen--Stevie Nicks
I was 29 years old, married, a father of three daughters, when Luka came out. I'd be driving down the road, the song would come on the radio, and I would immediately change the station. One day, my wife said "Rick, turn it back, I want to hear it". I did, and soon tears were streaming down my face. My wife said, "She's telling your story". She was. Someone was finally talking about such things. Thanks Suzanne. And thank you Professor for another great video.
It's strange, how something in our lives can hit us so unexpectedly!
I've had rare moments where I'd just break down & even be kind of embarrassed about it, but after it's all done, I'm kind of glad it happened.
Sometimes our experiences can help others, & that's a good thing!
This gave me goosebumps. I hope you have found healing.
This story made me tear up - from a fellow abused kid, I hope you find resolution and peace.
In 1987 I was a 12 year old abused child. This song was the first time in my life that I felt like anyone cared.
❤
I felt like that too.
I'm sorry you had to go through that. I hope your life is good now and I wish you a thousand blessings for health and happiness.
i wish that i could tell Suzanne that i understood immediately what the song was about and it saved my life
Hope you're doing well these days 💚
Wow! A friend of mine sent me the link for this video, not letting on that there was a big easter egg towards the end! I can confirm that the solo in Luka was developed primarily on a European tour that preceded Suzanne and the (slightly reformed) band hunkering down in pre-production for Solitude Standing. What was recorded was what I had been performing live, with the slight exception that I used a capo for one section of it in the studio.
Working in Suzanne's band was one of the high points of my career, and I am very gratified to get such a nice mention. And yes, we continue to be friends to this day!
So great that you've seen this and thanks for weighing in!
❤❤❤❤
Suzanne Vega is one of the most under appreciated artists of that decade. Her music is incredible. She doesn’t just write to get a hit, she puts feeling and emotion into her work. You can feel the sadness and melancholy in every note of Luca. She’s a true storyteller.
Not really she is one of my worst shows ever (opening act) and was sooooooooooooòooooooooo boring!
She’s a treasure.
The best are often under rated. Perhaps it’s for the better, rather than too heavy celebrity attention.
Luca is always a hard song to listen to. I know I talk a lot about my parents' time in the 60s-70s music scene in California, but my life with them wasn't so sunny. I was badly abused as a child and Luca came out near the end of my physical abuse. It did show me that I wasn't alone in my secret. Thank you Ms. Vega and Prof.
Agreed. What a beautiful song. Thanks for being vulnerable.
We're glad you are with us and hope you are happy and healthy now.
I had the same, "Heinz Variety" abuses, not easy.
@@DJ-ob8sk thank you
I m 60 yrs old and still cry when I hear Luca
Another Luka here. Talk about relevant. I avoided listening to the song in my teen years when it first came out, because it hit deeply as I had just recently escaped that life. In my 20s I stopped avoiding it and could appreciate it for what it was…..someone had told our story for us. Thank you, Suzanne.
I sing this song to my cat, Pepper, that was once my neighbor's. He threw her out when she got pregnant, and I took her in. She's the most lovable, codependent cat. "My name is Pepper/I live on the second floor/two doors down from you/Yes I think you've fed me before/If I come over late at night/Please have food out in my sight/they don't feed me anymore/they just don't love me anymore." Yes, I'm a nerd that sings revamped popular songs to my cats. Maybe one day I will make an album of cat songs. Not making light of this song, but animals are abused and neglected too. PS will you be doing a video on Robin Trower?
Thanks for sharing.
I love that you can rewrite lyrics to suit your personal life. Love it. 😀
And you are so right about animals too! ♥️
@@ChrisW-17 thank you. My boyfriend has MTV 80's videos on most of the time and I turn them into cat songs to make him laugh. My hits include "Flufftown Girl" (Billy Joel), "I'm a Fluffy Girl in a Fluffy World" (Aqua), "Superfluff" (Rick James), "Roxanne" (The Police), "Too fluff to Fluff" (Kajagoogoo). 🙂
@@jenniferk507 Don't forget the entire Meowtown Catalog especially anything by Meowrvin Gaye. Or the Chicago Soul Sound created by Curtis Meowfield!😂😉🎤🐱🎼🎵🎶🎸🎹🥁B.W.
@@madbrowniac7871 🤣🤣🤣
I never stopped fighting back against my parents and grandmother. I spoke up against my dad the most. I let him know he was abusive to all of us and worse on my older sister. He wouldn't touch me when I spoke up about what he was doing. I now help those abused to become warriors and stand up against it!
Thanks for sharing Cherrie. Very brave.
You are brave for doing that.
Bless you.
I was a younger sister with an older sister like you.
We all went through a lot but she took the brunt of it
😢
I was the oldest sister. My little sister has very few scars from our childhood and we have a special bond because I took so much of his abuse, often because I fought back. It was worth it to see her a happily married mom of 2 and grandmother of 5.
This song encapsulates what it feels like to be an abused child. Always brings me to tears.
I was a teenager when this song came out and I was a “Luka”. It was a hard song for me to hear. One day in 8th grade I finally got the courage to speak up, I was in detention again and the teacher asked why I was always acting up. I told her “My house is not a fun place to live”. She called home that night and told my father I was spreading not very nice rumours. I paid the price for speaking up, a beating, and it was almost 2 weeks before I could go back to school.
This song still hits hard when I hear it.
Sorry you had to endure that as nobody should ever have to deal with that, especially a child. I hope you're in a better place. Thanks for sharing.
That teacher will burn in hell, for letting such demonic behavior to continue. As a former counselor and teacher this makes me burn with anger. God bless you...
Did you go to Catholic school?
This is awful! I’m so sorry!
@@irishis3 No I went to public school. This was 40 years ago or so when times were different and the teacher was about 60 years old, she was from a different generation all together.
I took my daughter to see Suzanne in 2023 at a small theater in upstate New York. She had never heard of her before, but she was mesmerized by the songs and the stories that Suzanne told. Glad that she became a lifelong fan!
Awesome!
Yep. She’s a helluva lot more than any of her songs. She was an album artist for me. Each one has a sustained vibe capturing her development. I’m the exact same age so I really felt it. I’ve never seen her live, but the effect of a whole performance must be incredible.
@@carlodave9 I didn't realize until the concert that the songs "Gypsy" (from the Solitude Standing album) and "In Liverpool" (from the 99.9F album) were written about the same person. It was a young man that Suzanne met when she was a camp counselor in the Catskills.
@@danmcn61I didn’t know that. Gypsy is my favourite SV song. As a kid I made up that he was secretly a unicorn that lived for centuries (bump upon the head) wooing ladies of the court. Thanks for the info
@@GoodieWhiteHat From Suzanne's stories, he was basically a cad who wanted to make out with her. She was in love but he just wanted her body.
I was abused as a child, and, unfortunately, so was my niece. She and I consider ourselves survivors and now we don't take crap from our former abusers. Yes, this song really hurt listening to it. I am happy to hear that the real Luca is okay. Thank you, Professor, for another excellent interview with Suzanne Vega. ❤
Luka for me was one of the defining songs of that mid to late 80s period. Great singing, superb lyrics. Brings back memories
Suzanne Vega always reminds me of Joni Mitchell with her deep songs with true meaning and feelings. Always love when a folk type singer/songwriter who really has something to say can have huge albums and songs that go mainstream. Luka hits you right in the heart and I believe makes you more aware that someone you know may be going through an abuse and to reach out if possible. Fantastic interview, I knew she would be a well spoken woman with deep thoughts. Such an important artist with a beautiful voice.
Thanks for watching My Name!
She is definitely the 80s Joni Mitchell. She is an expert song crafter.
I loved this song as a kid. I would sing it all the time. My dad asked me if I knew what it was about. I did. I said Luca’s parents were beating him. My dad asked me if I had any questions or wanted to talk about it. I didn’t. I remember that short conversation so well.
Sounds like a great dad.
Always loved this song & literally ‘felt’ Luca’s pain. I didn’t suffer physical abuse but did suffer emotional abuse that still affects me at age 71. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this interview with Suzanne Vega❣️ An artist for all time.
She sounds great. Intelligent with no sense of pretense.
I saw Suzanne live in St.Louis on her very first tour as her first Lp was just being released. I drove two hours through heavy fog to get there and was rewarded with an amazing performance from an incredibly talented woman. There were only a few of us in the small club and I was fortunate enough to speak with her for some time afterwards. She was very grateful to those of us who attended and quite gracious. Even then she struck me as guarded and quiet, but I attributed that to her “newness” not realizing her longevity in NYC. It’s devastating to realize that this song is about her, but how powerful she was able to turn this experience into a beautiful, yet sad song. Feel she’s always been under appreciated, but think she’s comfortable with her beautiful career.
What attracted me more to this song than the subject of abuse was Suzanne Vega’s voice. I think that her voice was special & beautiful. Thank you for the song, Suzanne.
You might be interested to know that Suzanne Vega's voice ended up being special in a technical sense. The creators of the MP3 audio file format discovered that the human voice was particularly hard to compress and sound natural in music. So, they tweaked the MP3 compression algorithm over and over until it did a good job on the acapella version of "Tom's Dinner."
When i hear Luka I'm always reminded of What's the Matter Here by 10k Maniacs, Pat Benetar's Hell Is For Children and Live To Tell by Madonna.
Check out "Cleareyed" by Glen Phillips
@@flavellinatorwill do. Thanks
Every time I hear Luka I start to cry, because of the haunting lyrics, the story, and the great music as well.
Thanks for this video. I have been singing this song at open mics and soup kitchens for charity. I earn zero money. I have sung it a few times in the last couple of weeks. I hear Suzanne telling it was about a boy. I was a boy abused along with a brother and 2 sisters, but our mother was abused severely so I think of my mother who is in heaven. I sing it for her, and audiences are surprised and many come to me after the show saying wow! Before the song, I say I am a woman in this song. I tell them Suzanne Vega wrote and sings the song. Many of them knew that already but are surprised because they hear no one else singing it. I have wondered the rules for doing song covers. I play and sing for free, I charge no money. I wear sunglasses while I sing. The audience usually doesn't see when a tear or two trickles down my face. They love the song. I sing it in honor of abused moms and children. Thanks, Suzanne, for a song I can use to bring awareness to what often is covered and hidden. I figure if a record company ever sued me for all I'm worth, I've saved an aquarium full of pennies I could surrender. People love the song and begin to talk about the topic. Mom gave me my first guitar and told me I was going to be a singer. I started singing at age 65, I'm 73 now living day by day! I am a wiser age where I can let go and tell it like it is. Luka, the song, helps me do just that! This post is true and real/ Thanks again Suzanne and Professor. I'm using my stage name for this post.
I was abused very badly by my father. I was 21 when this song came out. It hit me hard. VERY hard. Back then, no one talked about abuse, no one was required to report abuse. After all these years, this song still hits me to the core of my heart and soul
She still has the original lyrics on a piece of notebook paper! - she wrote the lyrics long hand with an ink pen 🖊️ back in 1984- Talented lyricist !
You mean fountain pen?
NO question.
@@ProfessorofRock her penmanship in cursive is impeccably neat ! She wrote the lyrics like she was Shakespeare
@@jacobus57we had ink pens in the 80s....
@@bannedtwice7767 and we knew how to write in cursive back then too
I still play "Solitude Standing" to this day. She's one of my favorite singer-writers and I've enjoyed all of her albums over the years.
Can't forget her song "Left of Center" from Pretty in Pink... Love it!
Yes! Great song!
I first heard of her from the video of the UK hit from her first album "Marlene On The Wall." I suggest you check that too if you haven't!
@@bobdavis4848that's my favourite Suzanne Vega song too
I love that song.
@@bobdavis4848 I'll check it out for sure, thx
Luka is a song that always makes me cry!! You know there's children all over the world that are abused everyday but this song makes you really feel it!! That's good songwriting!! Thank you for sharing this video!!
For sure.
A lot of the people we see as irredeemable human refuse on the street were Lucas. Physical abuse is awful, but neglect is just as soul damaging.
Adam your interview style has become beyond conversational, you delve into hard subjects that requires trust and friendship to access. The song is more than a story. Thanks Adam.
Thanks!
Yeah ... I remember when this song came out. Until this song was released, I'd never heard of Suzanne Vega - and then suddenly she was everywhere. Such a good song with a great message, as somber as it was.
THanks Bart!
Tom’s Diner introduced me to her
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 - always loved that song too
I met Suzanne Vega after a concert in NYC back in the 90s. One of the nicest people you could ever talk to. My favorite song by her is 99.9.
Does anyone remember Pat Bentar’s “Hell is for Children?”
Great song.
@@ProfessorofRockthat was about child abuse and you didn’t have to search for hidden messages. Flat out “tell grandma you fell off the swing.”
I had the Pat Benatar tape that included “Hell is for Children “. My oldest son was about 4 or 5 at the time and one time we were listening to the tape driving somewhere. HIFC came on and a couple minutes he looked at me, a little aggravated, and exclaimed “Hell is for grown ups too!!” I agreed with him and gently gave him the meaning of the song and he got very confused. “Why would a grown up beat up a kid??” His first understanding that there are some very sick people in this world.
This song is a hammer wrapped in velvet. Everybody finds something in it. It's not a breakup song that a high school sophomore would never understand. It is frighteningly real, even if it is not part of your life. It's a ghost where people see something that strikes deep.
As our dear friend Reginald Dwight once sang: Sad Songs Say So Much.
I really like this song. Singer songwriter fan. There were some really unique artists in the late 80s: Suzanne Vega, Tracy Chapman, Edie Brickell, and Enya.
I agree. Great artists. Also groups like the Sundays and 10,000 Maniacs
@@ProfessorofRockWhat’s The Matter Here, also a very unsettling song, although brilliant, about child abuse.
I LOVE “What I Am” by Edie Brickell! Great song.
@@ProfessorofRock I’d love to see you do something on Natalie Merchant and / the Maniacs. I never met her but her mom and I were friends and she loved Natalie so much and was so proud.
I love Tracy Chapman's Fast Car, I could probably listen to it for hours!
I knew it was "Luka" when you described it as sad. Every time I hear this song, I'm immediately taken back to the summer of '87. This was a transitional time for me, as I had just begun to get interested in rock music.
Thanks for sharing.
I remember "Luka" by Suzanne Vega very well. It is a good song that told a story about a very sensitive topic.
For sure.
And I’m glad it was able to hit.
I recognized it was Luka from the thumbnail - that song is very emotional and always touches me when I hear it. I also love Tom's Diner, and it's always good to hear the artists talk about their work.
As soon as I saw the thumbnail, I knew which song this was going to be. (Excuse me, there’s something in my eye...)
Me too.
I had a mad crush on Suzanne Vega back in my single days, driving across the country doing contract work while listening to her albums (tapes) over and over again. Her poetry slammed me in the gut, such feeling, such powerful messages packed into those songs.
I enjoyed her discussion about the songwriting process, including why lyrics come quickly or slowly. Being able to write the words and music are special skills she has.
I loved that part too!
Luka was a song that gave voice to millions of kids who survived abuse. It's one of the few singles you can point to that's truly important. I've heard through my personal social circles(not social media) that it actually helped inspire more diligent screenings of foster parents in some locales. How many songs can say that? ♥
I love the guitar solo. It feels like the guitar is bringing forward all the anger and hurt that Luka can't/won't express and that we in the audience feel on his behalf. 💔 It’s a fiery contrast to Suzanne's careful and understated lyrics; together, Luka's full story is told. Really a breathtakingly powerful song
The Professor is a CONTENT MACHINE!
If he covered disco he would be a DANCING MACHINE!
@@guntherdawgI don't know if he would be interested in covering Disco or not, but it was a really big movement in music history, whether you love it or hate it, there's a huge potential of subject matter that goes along with it.
@@chrisoakley5830he has covered Disco to a degree. Like the Bee Gees and Danna Summers. He has covered Disco songs like Disco Duck.
So yeah, he has covered Disco. I personally am very happy that he steers away from discussing Disco very much. I saw Disco as a painful diversion from R&R. I talorated , but barely! 🤣
Totally
@@guntherdawg are you referring to “Gene, Gene the Dancing Machine” from the Gong Show?
*This song was EXTREMELY personal for me. Although I was an adult when it came out, I was still a survivor of severe child abuse and torture. At the time that this was released, I was doing therapy for PTSD,now known as CPTSD. This song was very cathartic for me to listen to because I could identify with it. I am now in my 60s and have learned to love my inner child. It took years of shadow work to learn to love myself and forgive my parents. We can allow our pain to make us bitter, or we can allow that pain to make us better. I chose to allow it to make me a better and more loving person!!*
I hear you, l hear you, I hear you. It took me a longtime and 7 counsellors and 4 psychologists before l found anyone who could tell me what had happened to me. I grew up in guilt and shame and guilt? That l was born
I found out l was C-PTSD in March 23, my sperm donor died in February 23, my alleged mutha in May 23.
My mutha and her new partner abused me in everyway. I've had all types from both sexes. It took till l was 63 to find out why people ostracised, hated and repelled me. I've grown up unloved. I was abused from ages 5-16. I went to bed, many times thrown into the wall, crying, hoping to die every night I wanted to die.
Music, sport and astrology keeps me alive
Firewater? Are you a mix of Fire n Water?
Why do people always expect the abused to forgive the abuser?
@christinasefton4839 *Because forgiveness is something that we do for ourselves. To hold onto pain and bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die!! If you do NOT learn how to forgive, it will only destroy you and eat you alive from the inside out!!! Forgiveness is the key 🗝 that releases us from the cage of unhappiness!!*
@@Chapps1941 *The name Firewater was a nickname that my grandfather gave to me as a small child.*
“Back when the Grammys actually meant something” 😂😂 you rock, Professor!
I love this song so much. This song means a lot to me. This song needed a lot more attention than it got. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing.
Professor..
Casey Kasem would be incredibly humbled and proud of your wonderful work and huge contribution to our world of music.
🌹
I was a huge Suzanne Vega fan in the 80s, saw her in concert. Watching this video I learned that we were practially neighbors...she lived on W. 23rd St and I lived on W. 21st in the mid-80s. I didn't run into her, alas.
Thanks for this great issue with one of my favorite singers and Suzanne, if you see this, thank you!
Glad you did this interview to give credit and exposure to such a beautiful song and artist. Song helped me get through my short military career.
Very cool! Thanks for sharing.
Suzanne Vega has released many great albums, but Solitude Standing is not only in a class of its own, it is in the very limited top tier of contemporary music. Everything is perfect there: the themes, the inspiration, the melodies, the production. A true marvel. What an incredible sequence of masterpieces: Tom's diner, Luka, Night Vision, Solitude Standing, Calypso, Gypsy...
I’m sorry to hear that Suzanne had abuse in her childhood. So many of us do and it’s such an epidemic, has been for much of human history, and I wish it weren’t that way. Suzanne is such a sweet woman; it pains me to think she was hurt.
Thanks.
@@ProfessorofRockIndeed. ☺️🤗
I would love to hug her.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 🥰🥰❤️
Got to see her live. So smooth, laid back, and generally really cool.
Very cool. When?
@@ProfessorofRock Not OP, but I saw her live too with Jethro Tull at Meadowbrook in New Hampshire, September 1, 2002. Great show!
Over 20 years ago down here in Fl.@@ProfessorofRock
She comes to Germany once in a while. My BFF and I saw her at Stuttgart Open, which was a bit disappointing, because among the three female singers that night, she got the least time. So we went to see her again when she came to a local venue, and it was fabulous. I’ve been a fan since “Marlene on the Wall” was released here in about 1985 or so.
It doesn’t matter what form of abuse a person sustains, because it’s all the same at the core, you know? There is something inherently relatable about it. I was 20 years old when this song came out. I always thought Suzanne’s voice was really pretty, but the subject matter always hit me where it hurt. I was abused, too, and this song helped me to feel like somebody really understood what it felt like to live through it. Thank you, Suzanne Vega, for putting Luca out into the world for all of us. You were so brave and so helpful to so many. Thank you, Adam, for this episode. ❤❤
A muse, an artist, and a time aligned.
Child abuse is the elephant in the room that NO ONE still wants to talk about.
Criticizing child abuse is criticizing christianity because of the '' spare the rod, spoil the child'', LIE !
Luka is a timeless song with a wonderful message. Suzanne has such a wonderful spirit and such a comforting voice. Will never forget her.
Thanks Professor
Sometimes it’s easy to focus on the importance of the subject of this song at expense of the genius hat is the music itself. This song is perfect all the way around. What a gift! Thank you so much Suzanne Vega for your immense talent and courage to pour your heart out on vinyl!!
I was a severely abused child. This song makes me cry.
I am so sorry. I wish you peace.
@@highstreetradiocafe5448 😭😭😭
@@ProfessorofRock Thank you
When he died, I felt robbed of my opportunity to ask him if he knew how wrong he was.
@@highstreetradiocafe5448I think many people can relate to your feelings/comment.♥️
Good Timing! Tomorrow is Suzanne Vega's Birthday
I have posted several times already. To hear Professor of Rock come out and say it. Is there no boundary that Satan will not break. God protect our children, give peace to all who have suffered abuse from "anyone", but for those whos family let them down, out side of You, is there any salvation for them.
I enjoyed your interview and interaction with Suzanne, Adam! Thanks!
Congrats on a million, Professor. You definitely deserve it.
Suzanne Vega such a talented lady and who was a refreshing breath of fresh.air in the 80s
I agree.
Yesterday, we lost another icon. Gospel, Country, Pop great Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys.
😢
@@Whisper_292I’ve been a fan of many songs growing up. I will always remember Elvira
It's a sad week for music lovers, but he's in a far better place. He's with his God.
@@mattmallecoccio8378 without a doubt!
..NOOOOOOOOO!! .....that's the One that looked like John Oates! ...LOVED him, he was the One that held the 'Boys' together for DECADES! ...they even had the SAME original members since 1977! ...Oh, this is sad................
This song resonates for so many of us
Thank you for this.
The thing is,this song came out around the same time as the death of Lisa Steinberg,which makes me sad still to this day. But I still love this song.💘💘💘😥 😥 😥
I remember the first time I heard this song. Luca described my own feelings about my own abuse. For those who didn’t “get” that this was about abuse is quite probably because they were lucky to have a safer childhood. For me, it was the self-loathing that Luca felt which broke my heart. Abusers always find a way to make their victims feel like they were at fault. I hope there is a special place in Hell for these freaks.
For anyone out there who blames themselves for the abuse, please get help from a mental health professional. It does make a huge difference. Peace to all.
Thank you for sharing ♥
Wow! Thank you for being so vulnerable.
I have to say there is hope for those who are struggling.
Thank you, Suzanne, for adding beauty and compassion to this world!
GREAT interview. Loved this song. It raised awareness of a dark side of life that we all need to be more willing to look at and do something about.
The second I read the caption for this video I knew you were talking about Suzanne Vega and "Luka". I loved "Luka" from the first moment I heard it back in 1987 and was astounded that it had even been published. I'd never heard of Suzanne Vega before that, but she became one of my absolute favorite performers as a direct result of that song. She has so many songs that I love, but my favorites, apart from "Luka", are "When Heroes Go Down, "Blood Makes Noise", "Solitude Standing", "In Liverpool", and... I could keep listing them all day, but I'll stop now. Loved this video! Thank you!
Love the behind the scenes Professor! Very cool story. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s episode!🤘🔥
Thanks Brent!
Am very grateful that I lived a wonderful childhood free from abuse at home. I applauded Suzanne for bringing this to the forefront and providing a voice for those that are/were afraid to say anything. Hurts my soul that any abuse happens...people and animals. Thanks for this episode...you opened the door to another artist for me. Here is hoping that those that need safety can find it...and allow themselves to heal.
Thank you so much for covering this. I remember how educational this song was. I loved Suzanne's songs and found this one really interesting. I think in reality it made a lot of us more aware and watchful for child abuse. It therefore did a great job to raise awareness to the sad plight of some children.
Good morning Adam! THANK YOU for being a big part of my every day ❤
You're the best!
That guitar riff and the haunting way she sings it makes it an emotional song
No question!
@@ProfessorofRock could you do a segment on the evolution of Toms Diner and the DNA backstory. Its really a great story
Love this song and that album. Played it over and over again in '87-'88. A breath of fresh air amidst a sea of pop culture pap. Had and still have so much respect for Suzanne Vega as an artist with integrity and a unique style. Great interview.
Terrific interview with a terrific artist. Thanks! Glad I got to see her live back in the day. On one early tour (pre-Solitude Standing), she was solo and still a teen -- no backing band...she was mesmerizing and commanded the stage with her sheer talent. Unforgettable.
I was playing pool with my friend Robert and he heard just the opening riff of Luka & said “well this is a hit”
He called it!
Awesome!
Never heard this lady but HOLY SMOKES she has a Gorgeous Tone to her voice. Need to hear more!! Thanks Adam! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎
Do it!
Thank you so much Adam, for another great conversation! Suzanne Vega was and still is a huge part of my life (I own all of her albums... she never made a bad record!) "Luka" is one of the most essential songs one just has to listen to, not only cuz it's a great tune, but obviously its subject matter! That song was/is an embrace to those who really "get" it, and for that alone - to feel seeing - Suzanne Vega surely saved lives! That's why we love her, we love music, and we love you Adam! Thank you also Adam, for sharing your personal connection(s) to "Luka". 🙏🙏🙏Much appreciation from Switzerland!
I'm so pleased to see an interview with Suzanne Vega, I've loved her music forever. I was lucky enough to see her perform live in 1992, it was amazing. Thank you for this beautiful conversation.
"Luka" was and has always been one of my favorite songs. There was another song released back then called "Dear Mr. Jesus" about child abuse.
Who sang that? I remember Dear God by XTC
@ProfessorofRock I don't remember the artist but it was a little girl singing. I haven't heard or even thought of it in years. Seems like I heard her dad helped with it.
Powersource with Sharon Batts s what I found on Google.
Dear God you mean?
Funny she said she wondered if "Luka" was an Italian or Puerto Rican name. Without looking it up, it sounds positively Eastern European to me.
Well. . . I'm wrong, and she was right. It's origin is from southern Italy.
No internet back then Google Luka. 😊
It sounds like a name of European origin for sure.
Luke or Lucas in English, Luka in slavic languages, Luca in Italian, Lukas in German. Its the same name just differently spelled and stressed in different european languages.
I wonder if she TRULY knows how much this song helped so many of us by giving us a voice...
My name is "Luka" or Jenn...or any number of us...
"I walked into the door again" were literally words I spoke in my teens...
I was in my last year of high school when this song came out, and this song really helped empower me to leave home after i graduated.
So... THANK YOU.
I was 9 or 10 when I heard this on the radio and she made such an impact. Great interview shedding light on such a great song. Love her music and thanks for a great chat with her.
I hope this great song helped stop child abuse and helped victims be believed. Yui Asaka did a great cover version of "Luka" (on her "Stay" album). Rest In Peace to all the victims of the largest children's hospital in Ukraine being destroyed.
Ugh. What happened yesterday is AWFUL.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I know; mortifying what happened Monday in Kyiv. There are no words really; the perpetrators are way beyond heartless. I'm planning to rewrite a song titled "Hospital" today to dedicate to victims.
@@shiroibasketshoes I am in full support of you doing that.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I did do that rewrite of a rock song about a hospital to protest the Kyiv, Ukraine hospital destruction, combined with a Pinky Doodle Poodle (Japanese rock band) photo I took. It got awarded into Flickr Explore, so many more are seeing it now. Thank you for the encouragement, Lilly.
When I first heard this song, I thought someone was singing about me. Thank you Suzanne Vega for seeing me. For seeing all of us.
The crazy thing about my childhood is that I thought every kid went through the same things I was going through. I thought my life was normal. As I aged, became a teenager, I realized it wasn’t normal and what was happening was wrong.
One man confronted mother (lowercase “m” on purpose). When I arrived home, mother told me Bob had told her to quit beating me. She beat me severely, that night, but it was a beating I was proud to take. I never told Bob what was happening. He just figured it out. Somebody stood up to mother on my behalf.
Luka still brings me to tears, as does the Pat Benatar song “Hell is for Children”.
mother died when I was 24 and she was 49. I miss her every single day. I wonder if she would approve of the life I am leading and the family that my wife and I have created. Maybe I’m crazy.
Been a fan of Suzanne Vega since I first heard her back in the day. So many great songs. Great interview.
Thx for a great interview with Suzanne Vega.
Suzanne Vega is amazing. I like Luka but Gypsy is my favorite song by her. I took my girlfriend at the time to Lilith in 97. Great concert. Vega and Sarah Mclachlin were amazing
Thanks!
Gypsy is the greatest
Great interview!!
One of your best interviews...ever.
Luka was Suzanne Vega biggest solo hit here in Australia peaking at 21 in July 1987 . top song though
POR interviewer extraordinar 😎
Thank You Adam!! Another GREAT interview with Suzanne Vega!! Always loved her work. "Tom's Diner" and "Luka" put her on the map but she has an expansive catalogue of terrific songs. I always loved the song "Luka" it always had a strange and mysterious quality about it. The way Vega sings it, you feel she wants to tell you but can't or is thwarted in some way. As a side note: anyone who watches [re-runs of] "Seinfeld", the outside shot of the diner is "Tom's Diner" Vega sings of and originally that song was recorded acapella and she performs it live that way too. It can really hit you especially if you live or work in the area for at least 10 or 25 years. That's when you know every detail of a neighborhood of what it looks smells and sounds like at different times of the day and in different seasons; it's almost a city folk song. The diner STILL exists as its family run. It's located 2-3 blocks south of the Entrance gate to Columbia U. on B'way and 113th str. The line "oh the bells of the Cathedral ..." are of St.John the Divine on 111-113th Streets & Amsterdam 1 block East and just south of the diner [essentially behind it]. Cheers from NYC!!!
This song always resonated with me. I hate how often kids are abused and even as a kid there were times i felt my dad was too mean. Not a song i can sing aloud but i find it hard to not listen. Vega is truly a great singer songwriter. Very underrated.
It came out within a year of What's The Matter Here by 10,000 Maniacs, another touching song about child abuse. [In 1980, Pat Benetar had a less abstract song about child abuse called Hell is For Children.]
Back in the Saddle Again Naturally
Thanks Professor👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🎶
I became a Suzanne Vega fan when I saw her perform "Small Blue Thing" on "Pebble Mill At One" on BBC1 in 1985, and I immediately taught myself how to play it on acoustic guitar. Around the time that the "Solitude Standing" album came out, I saw her perform live at the open-air amphitheatre in Regents Park in London. There was no band; it was just her and her guitar. It was one of the best gigs I've ever been to.