Suzanne Vega - Luka (REACTION) First Time Hearing It - VERY RELATABLE!

[@fv6125]

I have always loved Luka - a song about child abuse. Suzanne Vega is an amazing singer and songwriter.

[@PaulaThompson-x9w]

This still breaks me heart even after all these years.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Powerful song.

[@SebSN-y3f]

Thank you for your words. As someone who was severely abused by both parents, although the constant beatings, including with objects, were not as bad as the constant interrogations and degradation, it is good to hear that someone understands. I have bought almost all of Suzanne Vega's CDs because she has made many, many more great songs. I can only highly recommend it.

[@EdwardRLyons]

Suzanne Vega is one of the best singer songwriters from the 1980s. One of my absolute favourites. How many people really understand this song is about a child suffering from physical abuse? I still hear it on the radio occasionally, but because of the upbeat music (even though there are so many minor chords) most people simply don't take in the meaning of the lyrics.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Very moving and powerful. Definitely struck a chord with me.

[@mcolford]

A really great song. Suzanne Vega is a fantastic songwriter. She's got a lot of good ones. And she's still recording and performing now!

[@espenvippen]

grew up like that. So this song means a lot to me

[@SaeedReacts.]

I can relate as well. Very powerful song.

[@SebSN-y3f]

Thank you for your words. As someone who was severely abused by both parents, although the constant beatings, including with objects, were not as bad as the constant interrogations and degradation, it is good to hear that someone understands. I have bought almost all of Suzanne Vega's CDs because she has made many, many more great songs. I can only highly recommend it.

[@timithius]

I can't believe you're listening to Suzanne Vega! How awesome. All of her albums are good. Especially her self-titled album from 1985.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Definitely want to hear more.

[@user-do5uo4tp6g]

You are right, this is based on a real person. A lot of them.

[@timithius]

"Luka" was a single from her second album, "Solitude Standing". It came out in 1987.

[@welle5086]

❤ I think it is not about fights of the parents, but about Child abuse

[@SaeedReacts.]

Definitely got that, but for personal reasons didnt want to go into it further.

[@welle5086]

Before I saw the Video I always thaught Luka was a woman

[@kathryntevelson5975]

You are correct. It's about child abuse. How does this guy not get it?

[@daleenengelbrecht4861]

O I have listened to this song numerous times. Great! Tx for this. Greetings from South Africa

[@SaeedReacts.]

Powerful song. Have a great weekend. I am heading off to Antwerp for the day together witht the family. 😃

[@shortaybrown]

Thanks for reviewing this important and meaningful hit song from the 1980s. I wish more people would here it. Keep up,the awesome reviews dude!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Very powerful and important! Thanks so much for watching!

[@Fanny1985]

Its based on a true story, on her own story / childhood....she said once in an interview that she IS Luka. But she didnt want to talk about it back then.

[@therightstuff]

She and her half siblings were abused by her stepfather edgardo vega yunque

[@GeneMontana406]

this is song is so sad, makes me cry

[@SaeedReacts.]

I feel the same

[@loveloochay]

🎼🎼🎼🔈🔈 .. love Suzanne .. this is one of my top songs from this year .. her voice is very unique.. 🔈🔈🎼🎼🎼

[@SaeedReacts.]

Amazing song!

[@JennLM-nd1uu]

I’ve played this to many people and they just think it’s just a pretty song, w a great guitar solo. I’m a singer, Yes Late 80’s I heard it in a shop I was already well aware of her. I saw her play this live! I listen to it so often x

[@orlylivne]

Great reaction for a powerful song, Saeed ! I only remember her as a great song writer. Now I will check more. Thank you for sharing

[@SaeedReacts.]

Very powerful song. Thanks for watching.

[@kenlau457]

This song was released in 1987 and several months later the Lisa Steinberg story broke in NYC. I always thought about that poor girl when I hear this song.

[@joannesmith7042]

I saw her live here in Perth…it was a fantastic concert….

[@timithius]

I saw her in Montreal in 1992, and it was also awesome! (OMG!!! 32 Years ago. Now I feel old.)

[@jeffbell7530]

Respect, man, respect. You get it.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks, man! Appreciate that 🙏🏽

[@Rackelhane]

This is a real classic. Listen to Suzanne much in the 80. This song is just perfect. Thank you and cheers from a finn in sweden. "Toms diner" is a good one to.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Amazing song. Very powerful. Thanks for watching. Greetings from Belgium

[@jeanniedebartolo5965]

Thank goodness for people call out the bad things we all see and hear 😢❤

[@chrisashley5206]

This song and Toy Soldiers are must hears. Another one is Concrete Angel.

[@xScooterAZx]

When I was about 7 or so my mother had a dream I was talking back to her. She got up,grabbed the belt,came into my room where I was sleeping and beat me badly. I had blood welts across my back. Only she didnt stop until I quit crying.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Sorry you had to go through that 🫂

[@xScooterAZx]

@@SaeedReacts. Thank you. What's sad is that when I grew up and had my own child I let a couple we knew well to adopt my son because I was afraid I could turn out like my mom. I couldnt bear the thought that I might hurt JC.. My family knew the people well and that they were good people who would care for him. To this day doesnt know he was adopted. But at least he grew up safe.

[@marvinmartian7281]

Very good tune from planet Earth indeed!

[@eldiran2]

Saeed, as somebody who also appreciates good lyrics, ti doesnt get much better than Suzanne Vega--'Solitude Standing', "Rosemary", "Ironbound", and for a poerful story song 'The Queen and the Soldier", etc etc

[@catlady1956]

So very sad. From a real event😢😢

[@Bekka_Noyb]

very powerful song! 😥 dbl ♥

[@TheNotedHero]

Another female singer from that period who has a similar deep breathiness is Tanita Tikaram. Check out her song "Twist In My Sobriety". Fantastic song.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Interesting title! Thanks for the recommendation.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

I listened to this song, thank you for the recommendation. I didn't like it as much as Suzanne, but it is very well orchestrated, and musically compelling. I had a hard time figuring out the words, i.e. what they mean. What is a twist in one's sobriety? But as I said, very compelling. Beautiful song instrumentally.

[@danielesteve8359]

Not even 1 of her best.

[@Gwennedd]

Thanks for this, Saeed! It was one I listened to a lot many years ago and had forgotten about. Such a moving , sad piece about child abuse. I'm putting this on my playlists.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Very moving and powerful song. Incredibly well written as well. Thanks for watching.

[@deepbluehue3]

1987 Reached #3 on U.S. charts ~ Great song ...

[@SaeedReacts.]

That was the year i was born 😯

[@EchoesDaBear]

Great reaction Saeed! Every once in a while you get a song/artist that elevates the social consciousness - this was one of those! AND done in a very accessible, non-preachy, subtle way! Brilliant songwriting, brilliant artist! On a very similar vein, I HIGHLY recommend Hell Is For Children - by Pat Benetar. Perhaps not as subtle as this, but equally, if not more, brilliant on bringing the issues of child abuse to the fore! It came out in 1980, so pre-dates Luka by 7 years. Regardless, two incredible songs that deal with a very difficult subject.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks so much! Amazing song, very powerful and important. Will add your recommendation to my list.

[@bethphillips9693]

Domestic violence and the effect it has on the entire family - it's a lifetime of baggage. 40 years ago I lived in a twin single house - the couple on the other side had terrible fights and I called the police a few times when she was actually screaming. I tried to help her but she was too frightened to try to break free.

[@TheNotedHero]

we've got the same thing happening with our current neighbours. in their case it's the wife who can't control her temper and ends up screaming at her husband and then triggering her kids. we can hear him trying as calmly as possible to defuse but it rarely works. have called the cops a few times. I really hope they're going to get some counselling because it's heartbreaking to think of little kids growing up in that environment. any domestic violence is a tragedy, and it should never be tolerated or excused.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Definitely a lifetime of baggage

[@sourisvoleur4854]

It is so hard for an adult to break free from an abusive relationship. (Of course kids have no choice until they can move to a safe home, or are emancipated.) The gaslighting and other forms of soft abuse weave a net it can take years to break out of, if they ever succeed at all. My heart goes out to those in such a relationship, whether the victim is man or woman. I am male, but I was held in thrall, I guess you'd call it, to an emotionally abusive woman. Thank god it never turned to physical abuse. But it was so hard for me to break free.

[@kathryntevelson5975]

That is SO sad. The mental control abusers have over their victims is SO powerful. My heart breaks and I cry every time I hear this song.

[@rcgamer]

I'm 53 and I am still effected by this shit.

[@SaeedReacts.]

We carry this with us our entire lives. It's tough to get rid of.

[@kurtl3011]

Great reaction. This song was actually a big hit, despite the serious subject matter. A few other female greats recorded songs addressing violence and abuse toward children. You should check out Hell is for Children by Pat Benetar and What’s the Matter Here by 10,000 maniacs.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Very powerful song. Thanks so much for the recommendations!

[@loveloochay]

🎼🎼🎼🍰 .. she has another excellent song , that I never tire of titled , "Caramel" .. 💛 Suzanne Vega ... 🍰🎼🎼🎼

[@johnmcdermid6896]

Such a sad song, another couple of great songs from suzanne are Tom's diner and Marlene on the wall..Great reaction as usual...

[@SaeedReacts.]

Very moving. Thanks for watching and the recommendations!

[@artiepavlov6022]

That was fast! Thank you. Suzanne said that Luca was a kid who lived in her building. I often think about how his life turned out to be. He'd be in his 50s today.

[@artiepavlov6022]

I'm 38 and i've discovered this song just a couple of years ago. Totally can relate to it and it hit close to home. Plust she's a New Yorker artist and it hits into nostalgia for my 20s just because its a New York centric piece.

[@SaeedReacts.]

This one definitely hit close to home. What a great song. Incredible writing too. I hope Luca is doing okay now. Thanks again for this request!

[@MattJocks]

I thought I remember reading that she said she was inspired by a kid in her building but that she had no indication he was being abused, just that he "seemed separate" from other kids.

[@joefera8947]

@@artiepavlov6022 The song is about Suzanne herself. She just used a neighbor boy as the narrator of the song. The real boy was not abused.

[@joefera8947]

@@SaeedReacts. The real Luka was not an abused kid. She just used him as the narrator of the song. The song is about Suzanne herself.

[@doctorteethomega]

Thank you

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for watching ❤️

[@Swiftiemom75]

Funny you said about the late 80’s vibe. This song came out in the 80’s. It’s an amazing song.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Very powerful song.

[@andyhorvath6630]

I haven't heard this song in decades, but as soon as I saw the name Suzanne Vega and the song title Luka, I had to watch it, hear it again. And it still breaks my heart. It's on my playlist right now once more ... Thanks for bringing this song under my attention again.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Very powerful and important song. Thanks for watching.

[@fabian4ever69]

Powerful.

[@artiepavlov6022]

You can find Suzanne talking abou the song in a youtube "behind the dong" series or something like that. I Highly recommend.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@sourisvoleur4854]

An unexpected theme for a pop song. (Not unique; "Hell is for Children" from 1980 also speaks to this topic.) Her amazing songwriting drives the painful meaning deep into the listener. She really deserves more attention and acclaim.

[@jessicaleblanc-nh1yl]

Thank you for mentioning Pat Benatar...she is amazing & that particular song broke boundaries. =)

[@ericlewis77]

💔

[@anitaostlund9683]

Great reaction, I love this song even if it always make me sad I looked throw your earlier reactions and I am sorry to say that I could not find Tommy Johansson anywere 🤪. Why not change that, I promice you... he is great.. you might start with a Steelhart cover She is gone. Often reactors start with that... before the fall into his very deep and fantastic rabbithole😃

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks so much for watching. Amazing song. I believe his name is on my list. Will check.

[@johnthegreek5836]

I haven’t heard this years, thanks, I really didn’t pay attention to the lyrics when I was younger, but I’m definitely appreciate the lyrics so much more as I’m older

[@SaeedReacts.]

Its a powerful one. Very relatable for me.

[@poolhallshark]

♥♥♥♥♥

[@SaeedReacts.]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@welle5086]

❤

[@SaeedReacts.]

❤️

[@markmurphy558]

Try SEVENTEEN by Janis Ian, also SOCIETY'S CHILD. Both great songs in the same vein.

[@marcford5123]

The victim here is Luka. Bashed for being clumsy

[@gcarap]

You may have missed that Luka was the one being beaten? Not the parents fighting with each other (though that may have happened too, but not the center of this song).

[@SaeedReacts.]

I didnt miss it, but didnt really want to go in to that for personal reasons.

[@gcarap]

@@SaeedReacts. Sorry, fair enough,. You may be my favorite reactor, always so passionate.

[@artiepavlov6022]

Luca,

[@artiepavlov6022]

maybeits beause im crazy. its been devades and I still want to know what his life ended up being . Saeed, we can only try

[@SaeedReacts.]

Hope he is okay. You are right, we can only try and do our best ❤️

[@brianbyczek-m6p]

................it's about child abuse not parents arguing..

[@noblelies]

I like it's competitor song: "Hell is for Children" by Pat Benatar.

[@sabinasabina2010]

You nearly got it, it is about child abuse and Luca is a punch bag.

[@SaeedReacts.]

I definitely got it, but didnt want to go into it too much for personal reasons. Powerful song.

[@sabinasabina2010]

@@SaeedReacts. makes sense. Have a blessed day.

[@sabinasabina2010]

​@@SaeedReacts. New to your channel but have you reacted to Soul Asylum 'Run Away Train.' the official video. Anyway I have subscribed.

[@SaeedReacts.]

@@sabinasabina2010 I have not. Thanks for the recommendation, and subscribing. Will add it to my list.

[@mikemartin8408]

You didn’t quite get it. This song is about child abuse

[@SaeedReacts.]

I did, but didnt want to get into it for personal reasons. Hence i kept it vague.

[@jlyc1985]

Please react to “What’s The Matter Here?” by 10,000 Maniacs and “Family Portrait” by Pink. I think that you would really like these 2 songs.

[@KenDavis-sl7io]

I don't think you got the meaning of the song. It is not about The parents fighting, it is about child abuse.

[@NealDamiano]

I think you misinterpreted the song a little bit my friend. It’s not about the parents fighting it’s about the child getting abused🤔 It’s a powerful song