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.
Thank You For Bringing Me Here
Luka Bloom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We walk hand in hand by the shore
The sun sets beyond Inisheer
I thank you for bringing me here
My father and mother love me
We're living our lives by the sea
Sometimes when my parents stand near
I know that I am wanted in this world
So I will grow up an Irish girl
I won't pretend my world knows no fear
But I thank you for bringing me here
Where the limestone slopes down to the sea
Where my father walks tall, proud and free
Where the birdsong is music to my ear
I thank you for bringing me here
I thank you for bringing me here
I thank you for bringing me here
The song "Thank You For Bringing Me Here" by Luka Bloom is a heartfelt expression of gratitude towards the natural beauty of the Irish coastlines and the love of family. The first verse describes a leisurely walk with the singer's father by the shore of Fanore, a small village in County Clare. The sun sets beyond Inisheer, one of the three Aran Islands located in Galway Bay. The singer expresses his appreciation to the person who brought him to this place.
The second verse emphasizes the love and security of family that the singer enjoys. He expresses gratitude towards his parents and the peaceful, simple life they lead by the sea. In the third verse, the singer acknowledges that the world can be a scary place, but he is confident that he is wanted, and he intends to thrive as an Irish girl.
The song's overall message is one of gratefulness for the people and places that have shaped the singer's life. The imagery of the rocks, birdsong, sunset, and sea all work together to evoke a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the natural world.
Overall, "Thank You For Bringing Me Here" is an amalgamation of Irish folk with a hint of contemporary sounds that use the lyrics to create a soothing effect on listeners. This song reminds us to be thankful for the people that have played an important role in our lives and nurtured us to become who we are today.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk with my father in Fanore
I am walking by the shore with my father in Fanore.
We walk hand in hand by the shore
We are holding each other's hand while walking by the sea.
The sun sets beyond Inisheer
The sunset is happening beyond Inisheer.
I thank you for bringing me here
I express my gratitude for bringing me to this beautiful place.
My father and mother love me
I feel loved and wanted by my parents.
We're living our lives by the sea
Our life revolves around the sea.
Sometimes when my parents stand near
I feel grateful when my parents are around me.
I thank you for bringing me here
I express my gratitude for being in this beautiful place.
I know that I am wanted in this world
I am confident that I am important in this world.
So I will grow up an Irish girl
I will grow up while embracing the Irish culture.
I won't pretend my world knows no fear
I acknowledge that I have to face my fears.
But I thank you for bringing me here
I still express my gratitude despite the challenges I may face.
Where the limestone slopes down to the sea
This place has limestone cliffs that slope down to the sea.
Where my father walks tall, proud and free
My father walks confidently and with pride.
Where the birdsong is music to my ear
I enjoy listening to the melody of bird songs in this place.
I thank you for bringing me here
I express my gratitude for being in this beautiful place.
I thank you for bringing me here
I express my gratitude for being in this beautiful place.
I thank you for bringing me here
I express my gratitude for being in this beautiful place.
Contributed by Grayson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.