Steve "Luke" Lukather (born 21st October 1957 in San Fernando Valley, Calif… Read Full Bio ↴Steve "Luke" Lukather (born 21st October 1957 in San Fernando Valley, California) is a session musician, songwriter, arranger, producer and guitar player, best known for his work with pop/prog-rock band Toto. In addition to his work with Toto, Lukather has released several solo albums.

Lukather made himself famous by being the most sought-after session guitarist in LA in the 70s and 80s. He would walk into a studio last minute and lay down perfect tracks the first time, in whatever style required.

Known to his friends as "Luke" he still records and tours with Toto (2005) and continues to be an in-demand studio player and producer.

Influenced by the blues-rock pioneers such as Hendrix, and Jimmy Page, jazz guitarists such as Larry Carlton, and funk/fusion virtuosos such as Al Di Meola, Lukather's style is unique. He is known for fast, melodic, yet bluesy lines. His vibrato is very pronounced and steady. In interviews, he explains how he thinks of the guitar in a 'chordal cluster' format, and not the typical linear 'scale format'.

In addition to the high level of ability Steve Lukather has developed over the years, he also has built one of the largest effects rack of any rock guitarist. His tone is very 'signature', with a smooth overdrive/distortion, deep stereo delay, and all sorts of various effects on tap.

Open Your Heart
Steve Lukather Lyrics

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Smoke-colored L.A. sky
Hand covers up your sleepless eyes
As morning creeps in
Passed out there on my couch
Wearing the face of down and out
My long lost friend
Three cups of coffee and you'll be on your way
Until this time tomorrow you come crawling

Back again
Open your heart to me
Think of my shoulder as as sanctuary
Open your soul to me
I'll try to unravel your tangled up dreams
And the only thing that matters is your heart stays open for me
I always made pictured you
As clear minded but confused with wounds
No one could see
You always made the friends
That never stuck with you until the end
Except for me
And the only difference I hear is your alibi
And the only thing in common is the reason
You're still here
Open your heart to me
Think of my shoulder as sanctuary
Open your soul to me
I'll try to unravel your tangled up dreams
And the only thing that matters is your heart stays open for me

I can feel your loneliness
I feel your pain

Overall Meaning

The song "Open Your Heart" by Steve Lukather is a plea from the singer to a close friend who is going through a tough time. The first few lyrics set the mood of the song- a smoke-colored L.A. sky, a friend passed out on the couch with sleepless eyes, and a sense of confusion and pain. The singer is trying to reach out to his friend and offer him a safe haven in his own shoulder.The chorus of the song is repeated like a mantra, almost to emphasize the point- "Open your heart to me, think of my shoulder as sanctuary, open your soul to me, I'll try to unravel your tangled up dreams, and the only thing that matters is your heart stays open for me." The singer wishes to be a support and a crutch for the friend, who he considers to be a long-lost one. He reminisces fondly about how he was the one who always stuck around and stayed, even when no one else did. The lyrics "I always made pictured you as clear-minded but confused with wounds, no one could see," reveals the depth of understanding the singer has towards his friend's pain. He wants to help his friend untangle his thoughts and be the constant support he needs during his time of crisis.

Line by Line Meaning

Smoke-colored L.A. sky
The smoky sky of Los Angeles.

Hand covers up your sleepless eyes
Your hand covers your eyes because you can't sleep.

As morning creeps in
The morning is slowly coming.

Passed out there on my couch
You passed out on my couch.

Wearing the face of down and out
You look like you're down on your luck.

My long lost friend
You're my friend who I haven't seen in a long time.

Three cups of coffee and you'll be on your way
You need three cups of coffee to get going.

Until this time tomorrow you come crawling back again
You always come back to me, even if it takes a day.

Open your heart to me
Let me into your life.

Think of my shoulder as a sanctuary
I will be your safe place.

Open your soul to me
Let me know you inside and out.

I'll try to unravel your tangled up dreams
I want to help you understand your complicated dreams.

And the only thing that matters is your heart stays open for me
As long as you stay open with me, that's all that matters.

I always pictured you as clear minded but confused with wounds
I thought you were always level-headed, but that you also had unresolved issues.

No one could see
You're hiding your struggles from those around you.

You always made the friends that never stuck with you until the end
You had friends who left you when things got tough.

Except for me
But I'm still here for you.

And the only difference I hear is your alibi
I can tell when you're making excuses.

And the only thing in common is the reason you're still here
But despite everything, you still come back to me.

I can feel your loneliness
I can tell you're lonely.

I feel your pain
I know you're hurting.

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: KENT GRANTHAM, SAMUEL D. JONES, STEVEN L. ROBINSON, THOMAS BRYANT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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