27 July 2021 - Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill

The first single from 1985's Hounds of Love, this was Kate Bush's most successful single in the 1980's  - and her first of the decade in the States.  But why is she making a deal with God and running up hills??!

Well, the original title of the song was "A Deal With God", which her record label balked at, because, well, that title doesn't get airplay in some countries (probably including the United States).  Her point was, men and women don't always understand each other, so making a deal with God to swap places.... well, that might help.

The video is interpretive dance.  That's not something you see every day.  



The original song is very synth-heavy, which, well, 1980s.  When she finally performed the song live, Kate Bush appeared with David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, a frequent collaborator - and the synth was replaced with guitar.... and it still worked.  You'd never think a keyboard solo would work on guitar, and it does, seamlessly.  

In 2012, Kate Bush released a new mix of the song, in conjunction with the Olympic Games in London.  This version, which debuted at the opening ceremony, was also a chart hit for Bush. (EDITOR'S NOTE: but the IOC won't let us share it, so here's audio)  

(editor's note: 4 August 2023):  When I wrote this post in 2021, I didn't know the song would become a bigger hit than ever in 2022, with its inclusion on the TV show Stranger Things.  The top 30 hit from 1985 became a top 5 hit in 2022.

I could not be happier.