The enduring resonance of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill"

[alsemanche 93,762]

In early 2020, Meg Myers rose to No. 1 on Billboard's Rock Airplay chart with her cover of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill." The milestone was a long time coming: As the magazine noted at the time, the song had been on that chart for 29 weeks. For good measure, right after topping the Rock Airplay chart, Myers also spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Alternative Songs chart.

This wasn't the only "Running Up That Hill" cover to make waves this year. In June, the metal talk show "Two Minutes To Late Night" released a ferocious take on the song featuring searing lead vocals from Emma Ruth Rundle (Marriages, Red Sparowes); back-up singing from the show's co-host, Jordan Olds; and instrumentation from members of Mastodon, Old Man Gloom and YOB. 

[...]

That malleability explains partly why "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" — which was released 35 years ago, on August 5, 1985, and appears on the "Hounds of Love" LP — is one of the most enduring singles of the '80s. It's been covered and interpreted by dozens of other artists, including Tori Amos (who pairs Bush's song with her own 1994 hit "God" during live performances), Placebo, Chromatics, First Aid Kit, and Jade Bird. Noted Kate Bush mega-fan Big Boi dissected the song for Pitchfork last year, praising the lyrics and production, while a remix of the song played in the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

[...]

Bush wrote the song using the cutting-edge Fairlight CMI, while Palmer contributed a Linn drum rhythm. Although these instruments were common in the '80s, Bush's production and songwriting approach elevates the song. "Running Up That Hill" is warm and enveloping, with galloping rhythms, those mysterious squiggly effects, and Bush's sturdy, conspiratorial vocals. The song hovers between the physical and spiritual worlds, suspended in gauzy, hazy consciousness that's akin to the dreams people have just before waking.

 

Full article: https://www.salon.com/2020/08/24/kate-bush-running-up-that-hill/ 

[Pennywise 36,079]

I'm listening to it for the first time now 

[RAMROD 109,436]

1 minute ago, Pennywise said:

I'm listening to it for the first time now 

 

 

but there's first time to everything 

[Pennywise 36,079]

Just now, RAMROD said:

 

 

but there's first time to everything 

I listen to so many genres but I am weirdly resistant to listen to new (or in this case old but new to me) things I don't know why 

[Pennywise 36,079]

Also I kinda expected, like, a catharsis, like in Florence's Mother, considering how much people love this song. I feel underwhelmed 

[alsemanche 93,762]

1 hour ago, Pennywise said:

I'm listening to it for the first time now 

Welcome to the world of Kate Bush. Once you're in it's impossible to leave. Also, she made a song inspired by Wuthering Heights 

 

 

[alsemanche 93,762]

1 hour ago, Pennywise said:

Also I kinda expected, like, a catharsis, like in Florence's Mother, considering how much people love this song. I feel underwhelmed 

Kate's voice on its own is cathartic af  Also keep in mind that this is made in 1985 and it was produced entirely on her own. It's iconic. And the lyricism in it is genius. 

[Pennywise 36,079]

Just now, alsemanche said:

Kate's voice on its own is cathartic af  Also keep in mind that this is made in 1985 and it was produced entirely on her own. It's iconic. And the lyricism in it is genius. 

Oh I love the lyrics, and I love the song itself even just for the fact that she wrote it all herself tbh

And I thought it was like from late 90's, it sounds way fresher than 80's 

[RAMROD 109,436]

9 minutes ago, Pennywise said:

I listen to so many genres but I am weirdly resistant to listen to new (or in this case old but new to me) things I don't know why 

 

in most cases, people need a trigger to try new things. This thread served that purpose for you on this song or the artist

[alsemanche 93,762]

1 hour ago, Pennywise said:

Oh I love the lyrics, and I love the song itself even just for the fact that she wrote it all herself tbh

And I thought it was like from late 90's, it sounds way fresher than 80's 

GREAT NOW LISTEN TO THE ENTIRETY OF HOUNDS OF LOVE AKA THE SECOND BEST ALBUM EVER MADE i mean hope you have a good day full of sunshine  miss sir 

[alsemanche 93,762]

1 hour ago, mauvais said:

I think about the "Running Up The Hill" motif in Pose all the time  god tier!!! 

I LOVED that. I wish they kept it more present in more episodes though  

[Pennywise 36,079]

2 minutes ago, alsemanche said:

GREAT NOW LISTEN TO THE ENTIRETY OF HOUNDS OF LOVE AKA THE SECOND BEST ALBUM EVER MADE i mean hope you have a good day full of sunshine  miss sir 

Today's not a good day to listen to a new album if I want to like it 

[brizoda 3,852]

18 minutes ago, alsemanche said:

Welcome to the world of Kate Bush. Once you're in it's impossible to leave. Also, she made a song inspired by Wuthering Heights 

 

 

This is her best song, and then Running Up That Hill

[brizoda 3,852]

I have Running Up That Hill in 7'' vynil & 12'' vynil

[alsemanche 93,762]

1 hour ago, brizoda said:

This is her best song, and then Running Up That Hill

I haven;t listened to her entire discography yet but I wouldn't rank it as her best song  I love almost any song on HoL more than it