In order to avoid the pressure of being related to Christy Moore, Bloom adopted his pseudonym. "Luka" is taken from the title of Suzanne Vega's song "Luka" about child abuse and "Bloom" refers to the main character in James Joyce's Ulysses. Bloom is, however, very forthcoming about being Moore's brother and does not hide behind his stage name.
Luka Bloom's style of guitar playing is very distinctive and is generally referred to as "electro-acoustic". In his early career as Barry Moore, Bloom used a fingerpicking style. However, tendonitis in his hands forced him to adopt a strumming style which is the one he still uses and is often credited with his success.
He began his career in the United States playing small clubs in Washington DC and later in New York City. He was a frequent performer in New York's Greenwich Village--at the Lion's Den (a center for American folk music in the early Sixties), and at the Red Lion, where he played with Eileen Ivers backing him on fiddle, during his "Irishman in Chinatown" tour. (Ivers would also appear on the Riverside album.)
He toured America frequently through the Nineties, although his contemporary touring schedules take him mostly to Europe. He remarked during his 2006 US tour that he has grown fond of playing in Eastern Europe, "now that I don't need a work visa."
His early albums showcased his frenetic strumming style, including "Delirious" the debut track on Riverside, and his penchant for thoughtful cover songs, an affinity that he maintains even in more recent work. Released in 2000, Keeper of the Flame was an album of cover versions, featuring renditions of ABBA's Dancing Queen, Bob Marley's Natural Mystic and the Hunters and Collectors' Throw Your Arms Around Me among others. Bloom had previously covered LL Cool J's I Need Love and Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling In Love on the album The Acoustic Motorbike. Bloom is often heard to remark in concert about Natural Mystic that "...there are considerable similarities between Jamaicans and Irishmen".
Bloom's 2004 acoustic mini-album, Before Sleep Comes, was recorded while Bloom was recovering from tendonitis. Bloom stated the purpose of the album was "to help bring you closer to sleep, our sometimes elusive night-friend."
Bloom released his most recent album Innocence in 2005. Many of the songs feature a new found interest in Eastern European gypsy music and othe World music. In his previous work, he relied on steel-stringed guitars that created his distinctive style. His aubergine and yellow guitars were often introduced by name at gigs. The most recent album features a more classical guitar and the resonant plucking associated with that style of instrument.
BAD
Luka Bloom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you tear yourself in two again
If I could, you know I would
If I could, I would
Let it go
Surrender
Dislocate
lifeline to the wind
I'd leave this heart of clay
See you walk, walk away
Into the night
And through the rain
Into the half-light
And through the flame
If I could through myself
Set your spirit free
I'd lead your heart away
See you walk, walk away
Into the light
And through the day
So let it go
And so to fade away
Let it go
And so to fade away
I'm wide awake
I'm wide awake
I'm not sleeping
If you should ask then maybe
They'd tell you what I would say
True colors fly in blue and black
Bruised silken sky and burning flag
Killers crash, collide in bloodshot eyes
If I could, you know I would
If I could, I would
Let it go
Surrender
Desperation
Dislocation
Separation
Condemnation
Revelation
In temptation
Isolation
Desolation
Let it go
And so to fade away
Let it go
And so to fade away
I'm wide awake
I'm wide awake
I'm not sleeping
So let it go
Surrender
Let it go
Let it go
I'm wide awake ...
The lyrics of Luka Bloom’s song “Bad” suggest a mixture of longing, desperation, and hopeless surrender. The opening lines convey the idea of someone who repeatedly retreats and holds back from a relationship, causing conflict and pain. The phrase “if you twist and then turn away again” illustrates a cycle of behavior that causes internal conflict and drives the singer to imagine letting go, to “surrender” to the situation. The second stanza is equally intense, with the singer wishing he could “throw this lifeless lifeline to the wind” and let his lover walk away into the night and through the rain. The idea of “half-light” and “flame” adds a sense of danger to the act of walking away, perhaps underscoring the singer's feeling of desperation.
The chorus builds on this theme of surrender, with the singer repeating “let it go” and “surrender” like a mantra, before listing a range of other possible outcomes, from isolation to desolation. The language of the final stanza is striking, with the use of repetition and alliteration in the lines “separation, condemnation, temptation, isolation” intensifying the sense of pain and adversity. The final repetition of “let it go” suggests a kind of resignation or defeat, with the singer “wide awake” even when he is not sleeping, fully aware of his predicament.
Overall, “Bad” could be interpreted as a powerful meditation on the risks and rewards of love, with the singer’s inner turmoil and conflict conveying the complexity of human relationships, especially those that are challenging and difficult to maintain.
Line by Line Meaning
If you twist and then turn away again
If you hesitate and then backtrack on your decision again
If you tear yourself in two again
If you once again find yourself conflicted and divided
If I could, you know I would
If it were in my power, I would do it
If I could, I would
If only I could, I would
Let it go
Release your hold on it
Surrender
Admit defeat and give in
Dislocate
Separate from what you're holding on to
If I could throw this lifeless
lifeline to the wind
If only I could release this unhelpful tie
I'd leave this heart of clay
I'd abandon my weak, frail heart
See you walk, walk away
Watch you depart
Into the night
And through the rain
Into the half-light
And through the flame
Through any hardship you encounter
If I could through myself
Set your spirit free
If I could break the chains that bind you
I'd lead your heart away
I'd guide your heart to peace
See you walk, walk away
Into the light
And through the day
Watch you walk into a new beginning
And so to fade away
Let it go
To let it disappear and be forgotten
I'm wide awake
I'm not sleeping
I'm alert and aware of the situation
If you should ask then maybe
They'd tell you what I would say
If you inquired, they might tell you my feelings
True colors fly in blue and black
Bruised silken sky and burning flag
Pain and sadness can bring out true feelings and passions
Killers crash, collide in bloodshot eyes
Violence and aggression can erupt from desperation
Desperation
Separation
Condemnation
Frustration, disconnection, and blame
Revelation
In temptation
Isolation
Discovery, allure, and loneliness
Desolation
Let it go
And so to fade away
Emptiness and abandonment
Surrender
Let it go
Let it go
Give up and release
I'm wide awake
I'm fully conscious
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris M
It's amazing how Luka can change the feel of a song so dramatically by enhancing the simplicity. This is classic Luka, even if it is a cover song. Well done Luka
J. Matthew Flood
Less is more!
Critter
Lovely little version, Luka! You RULE the music universe!
Christopher Deignan
I love you Luka. Thanks for the inspiration, the music and above all, meeting you in person and having the distinct privilege of hosting you in concert. Long may you share your music with us. Be well and know that you touch hearts and souls :)
ehooijschuur
Fantastic, I have 3 signed albums from Luka Bloom, and this is one of the best numbers from him (wel it are a lot good numbers!) Cheers and peace for all...
duffy844
Piękna piosenka!
Donna Clement
Awesome. The best. Amazing piece of music. "If I could, you know I would. If I could, I would ... let it go. Surrender." Love the string of 4-syllable words.
aarlevanbram
one man one guitar one voice ... even with one heart ... brilliant!
By-tor
Outstanding!!! Love your work Luka....
Marcel Versteeg
such a great version of this song