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.
Venus
Luka Bloom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see the road to follow
Every day with you
Will be as though there's no tomorrow
Venus passes by the sun
Venus passes by the sun
Venus passes by the sun
Only once in a blue, blue moon
Do lovers find each other
And make it to the precious room
To become a father and mother
Venus passes by the sun
Venus passes by the sun
Venus passes by the sun
Love doesn't always come to everyone
And tomorrow is easy to see
When the unconditional is free
Venus passes by the sun
Venus passes by the sun
Venus passes by the sun
Love doesn't always come to everyone
The lyrics of Luka Bloom's "Venus" are about the importance of love and the rareness of finding it. The singer is expressing their gratitude towards their partner for showing them the path to follow and making every day feel special. The opening lines, "Because of who you are, I can see the road to follow," suggest that the singer has found direction and purpose in their life thanks to their partner's love.
The chorus, "Venus passes by the sun, love doesn't always come to everyone," draws a comparison between the rarity of finding true love and the rarity of the planet Venus passing by the sun. Just as Venus only passes by the sun once in a blue moon, true love is something that not everyone is lucky enough to experience. The repetition of this chorus throughout the song emphasizes this point and creates a soothing, contemplative tone.
The verses focus on the beauty and importance of love, particularly in how it can lead to creating new life. The lines "Only once in a blue blue moon, do lovers find each other, and make it to the precious room, to become a father and mother," suggest that finding love and creating a family are incredibly special moments that should be cherished.
In the final verse, the singer is optimistic about the future because of the unconditional love they share with their partner. The line "And tomorrow is easy to see when the unconditional is free" suggests that when love is strong and unconditional, the future feels bright and promising.
Overall, "Venus" is a heartfelt tribute to the beauty and rarity of true love, and the importance of cherishing that love when it is found.
Line by Line Meaning
Because of who you are
The person addressed in the song is important and inspirational to the singer.
I can see the road to follow
The person addressed in the song is helping the singer to find direction and purpose in life.
Every day with you
The time spent with the person addressed in the song is valued and cherished by the singer.
Will be as though there's no tomorrow
The artist and the person addressed in the song are living in the moment and enjoying each other's company without worrying about the future.
Venus passes by the sun
The passing of Venus by the sun is used as a metaphor for the rarity and unpredictability of love.
Love doesn't always come to everyone
The singer acknowledges that not everyone is fortunate enough to experience true love.
Only once in a blue, blue moon
The phrase 'once in a blue moon' is used to emphasize the extreme rarity of finding love.
Do lovers find each other
The artist believes that love is something that happens between two people, rather than being a one-sided emotion.
And make it to the precious room
The 'precious room' is likely a metaphor for marriage or parenthood, indicating that true love leads to a more committed and intimate relationship.
To become a father and mother
The ultimate outcome of a loving relationship is the creation of a family, as indicated by the reference to parenthood.
And tomorrow is easy to see
The singer and the person addressed in the song are optimistic about their future together.
When the unconditional is free
The 'unconditional' likely refers to the unconditional love that exists between the artist and the person addressed in the song, and the idea that this love will enable them to face the future with confidence and security.
Contributed by Samuel P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.