A few weeks ago, a neighbor filed a case against her live-in partner for allegedly abusing her. The decision didn’t come as a surprise as the violation against her has long been a regular discussion in the neighborhood.
This recalls to mind this song which I initially thought was about a mysterious woman who seemed to prefer living all by herself. At least, that’s what I surmised from the first few lines of the song.
My name is Luka
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes I think you’ve seen me before
Eventually, I learned that the song is about domestic violence, particularly against children, and explains the sudden and unexpected noises that we sometimes overhear from our next-door neighbors. Sadly, these incidents are rarely reported because most victims prefer to remain silent.
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
Many victims even blame themselves for whatever happens inside the home. They claim to be stupid or simply one who talks either too little or too much, and this annoys some members of the household.
I think it’s because I’m clumsy
I try not to talk too loud
Maybe it’s because I’m crazy
I try not to act too proud
Even with their eyes sorely black and their arms filled with ugly bruises, these children will say that everything is fine. They simply want nothing in their lives broken and when pressed to tell the truth, you’ll even be told that their lives are not supposed to be anybody’s business.
Yes I think I’m okay
I walked into the door again
If you ask that’s what I’ll say
And 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
They say violence is a vicious cycle, and once it begins, it will go on in a never-ending circle, until a victim learns to stand up and say enough. Unfortunately, some don’t want the attention being given to them and would rather live in suffering endured in complete silence.
They only hit until you cry
And 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
Has physical abuse become a way of life in your household? Let “Luka” by Suzanne Vega give you the will and the courage to fight for your right and your life. Please click here:
Singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega wrote and recorded “Luka” in 1987 and released this is as a single. The song placed third in Billboard’s Hot 100 and eventually earned two Grammy nominations the following year for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Vega was also nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
During an interview for a TV special, Vega was asked if the character “Luka” in the song was real and if this served as her inspiration in writing the piece. She recalled a young boy who lived near a building where she used to stay. She noticed the boy as remarkably different from others his age and this became her basis for “Luka”, which she later revealed in a 2018 video documentary as a song that talks about child abuse.
AKA Music 