Classical Composer Reacts to Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush) | Episode 408 

Worth noting that she wrote this, arranged and produced it, dances amazingly, directed the video and still owns ALL of the rights to her music!!!

Kate Bush is a living legend, a true genius. David Gilmour discovered her at school when was barely 13. He was so impressed by her that he paid and produce a high quality demo tape, presented it to EMI Records to make them put her under contract. They signed her even before she was actually able to perform or record albuns. At 19 Kate Bush was the first ever woman to hit the number 1 spot on UK Singles Chart for 4 weeks, with an authoral composition. It was only the beguinning to world wide stardoom. A remarkable true genius!

The whole Hounds Of Love album is absolutely superb, Kate is a genius.

One of the high points of my life - seeing Kate Bush live. Absolutely astonishing. One thing that is often lost, is the fact that Kate is PURE PROG. She also transcends prog. One of the greatest musical artists of our times.

The genius that is Kate Bush. She had a 4 octave vocal range and used it. Self taught on the piano. One of the greatest singer, songwriters ever. Take that deep dive into her musical catalog.

I think Kate is a genius, and I don't throw that word around lightly.

This Woman's Work is one of Kate Bush's best songs and well worth of your treatment. It's unique in many ways.

Huge, Kate Bush fan. Have been since the early 80's. Tucked in my Walkman, her music went everywhere with me. On the train, bus, subway. On all my walks through the streets of the city. Her music became the background music of my life. It was magical time.

Dave Gilmour got Kate Bush a recording contract when she was just sixteen. She'd already written 40 or 50 songs by then.

Absolute legend. Im happy that more people can appreciate her vision and craft.

Totally forgot what a talented dancer she was. Pure beauty. Personally "The Dreaming" is my favorite album, but everything Bush has done is magic.

She was a trained dancer who studied under Lindsay Kemp. He said he had no idea she was a musician until she slid her first album under his door.

The 10 minute version of "Running Up That Hill" is perfection. Absolute perfection. Growing up in the 80s was a privilege beyond measure.

"The Ninth Wave" blows me away every time I hear it - and I've been listening to it since 1985.

It's about empathy, wishing we could see things from the person we love's perspective.

She is an amazing songwriter. Very unique and hugely influential amongst indie musicians. Well worth your time to check out all of her albums. And seriously overdue for her induction into rock and roll hall of fame. You just know you are in the presence of genius when you listen to her astonishing debut single Wuthering Heights.

I’m glad the new generation is discovering Kate Bush, she influenced so many artists, no doubt we would not have Tori Amos or Sarah Mclachlan without her. She always reminded me of the U.K. Stevie Nicks. Thanks for the video! ❤️

Cloudbusting from the same album is also extraordinary.

Thanks for the reaction, Doug! The whole Hounds of Love album is absolutely nuts. I'm always revisiting it, the production, compositions, her VOICE. One of the best of all time, looking forward to your reaction to it

This entire album is amazing. Side two is called 'The Ninth Wave' and is a linked story... truly, a masterpiece. And its placement in Stranger Things was sublime.

This song will always have a special place in my heart. As a then 26 year old going through some deeply personal issues at the time of its original release, this song is largely responsible for me becoming the person I am today. I hope the resurgence in this song's popularity reaches those who need it today as well. Thank you Doug.

This is classic Kate Bush. She deserves some new attention.

The Duffers were brilliant in editing that episode, and to include that orchestral version at the end just after we hit that emotional high and coming crashing down in relief after the original version.

you HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE to react to the Official video to the song "Don't Give Up" by Peter Gabriel. She sings the song with Peter and they change vocal parts as a loving couple who have hit hard times. It is the simplest video you'll ever see, but it will get you right in the gut. Kates vocals are spectacular, you feel the emotion in her voice and her facial expressions will get right to your heart. It's the most beautiful song and video about a loving couple that never even uses the word, the love is conveyed solely through the story type lyrics, vocals, facial expressions and the profoundly simple but impactful video. There is no way you can avoid watching Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush together, 2 giants in music and who were willing to expand the boundaries of contemporary music. PLEASE react to this soon, this is truely special.

Kate is incredibly multi-talented. She is not just a composer, pianist, and singer. She choreographs her videos and is her own cinematographer for many of them. When she toured briefly at the beginning of her career, performances incorporated stage magic and mime, in addition to the dance and general musical brilliance.

Her choreography is something else. She studied with the dancer and choreographer Lyndsay Kemp, who in turn had studied with Marcel Marceau. She said of Kemp, 'To call him a mime is like calling Mozart a pianist'.

I pretty much burned out on Stranger Things after Season 2, but I LOVE that it has brought Kate back out into the world of new listeners. She has ALWAYS deserved more acclaim here in the US. A true pioneer - as a composer, singer + producer - Kate is the Real Deal.

Doug, I'm sooooooooooooooo very happy you did this. This song back in 85' was the song that got me interested in Kate Bush. I saw her either on The Midnight Special or Don Kirshner's Rock Concert and was immediately haunted by the melody, Kate's vocals, and her movements (and it didn't hurt to be 15 at the time and develop a crush on her lol) I have a thing for creative, contemplative, thoughtful and basically artsy women and she fit the bill (along with Annie Haslam who absolutely loved). I then started buying her CDs and found them always to be intriguing, unusual, catchy, and challenging. Her music requires focus because it's often hard to find any type of hook in her songs, most are unconventional but for some reason, you'll always want to hear more. I have to say for me many are over my head musically, and you're in for some head-scratching moments when you list more but you'll ALWAYS appreciate her taking chances to expand the boundaries of pop/ progressive music for herself and for others that followed. Lastly she is also known for her performance art. She is a dancer as well as singer, not necessarily formally trained but nonetheless a performance artist which just adds so much to her appeal. A word of warning, her very early stuff has her vocals very very squirrely, very high pitched and most people hear that hate it (I'm not a fan of her voice like that but I get past it), and never listen to any more of her stuff, but thankfully her voice changes to what it is in Running Up That Hill. If you listen to Wuthering Heights her voice is very high pitched almost ear piercing but it's still a wonderful song and I believe was her first hit at age 19 I believe.

This whole album is a masterpiece

Great songs like Running up that Hill/Deal With God provide a definitive sound of an era but also oddly timeless. It sounds really fresh and intriguing/other wordly even now after 37 years.

She was actually considered a musical genius at a very young age , she did after all write over 200 songs before she was 17 including "The man with the child in his eye's"

I love all of Kate Bush, especially the album "The Sensual World" and her most well known song "Wuthering Heights" from her first album. She dances in almost all her videos.

I feel like Max's attachment to this song has to do with her guilt about her brother's death and wishing she could have swapped places with him. That she's in so much pain right now that she would prefer it if she were the one to have died.

Glad you're going to do the Ninth Wave reaction, It's an absolute masterpiece and you'll be in for a massive trip.

The Ninth Wave is Kate Bush's peak artistic achievement, IMO.

I worked as the sound engineer on a big west end musical with Michael Hervieu the dancer who partners Kate in the video when he shot it. The comedy part is he phoned him sick to do it. The next day he told me all about it in very excited tones completely oblivious to the fact that he was going to be totally busted once the video came out.. He kept his job by the skin of his teeth!

It's not only the quintessential 80s sound but the narrative theme of the song that is connected to the Stranger Things series. Max's experiences in season 3 and 4 are quite involved with the concepts of perception, point of view and understanding - she often indicates that others can't know what she's thinking and experiencing, and Bush's lyric actually gives Max comfort in knowing that she's not alone. I think it is a brilliant facet of the series. Good one! Thanks for the review.

I have loved her music for sooo many years, since vinyl and only getting to hear her on late night radio shows. I hope this encourages a new generation to explore and appreciate her!

Kate's ethereal angel voice captured my heart over forty years ago...yes! I am a huge vinyl collector and managed to collect beautiful pressings from Japanese and German audiophile samples and when I listen to her nobody else can come close to her natural talent, seriously. So this resurgence of her hit Running Up That Hill is so deserving after all these decades. Who else can boast that??

The Ninth Wave suite is masterful.

Number 8 on the UK Singles charts on 4 June 2022!!!

GENIUS! She had dance in pretty much every video and she was always the dancer as she is in this one.

Also Kate bush is the female dancer in this video, I’m glad America is finally discovering what much of the world already knows of her

We loved her downunder. My early memories are of her dancing through the fields for 'Wuthering Heights' and swinging a sword in her sexy warrior outfit for 'Babooshka'. Her voice so amazing and unique. Brilliant live. It is always surprised me how artists from Britain and Australia seem so big and successful and yet Americans haven't even heard of half of them. Mind you the internet is rectifying that with a lot of reaction youtubes for some of my old favs.

The wonderful Kate Bush! ❤ No other singer quite like her. She’s unique.

I think it's awesome for Kate Bush that her music is being appreciated by a new generation of music fans.

Kate Bush - Breathe (about our 80s fear of a nuclear war) is a must react.

Kate Bush.. my teenage crush in the early 80s. I loved her voice and complete beauty. In interviews too, she was a naturally, warm and lovely lady. In later life i appreciated her even more as her lyrics connected even more. In history, Kate Bush is a leading figure of songwriting, singing and expression.. Love her always.. my big sister.

Ahh Kate...ahh Kate... No one like you! An artist, creator of art. Totally unique and amazing!

Kate Bush has been one of my favorite artistss since I heard "Wuthering Heights" in a little bar in Tournai, Belgium when I was an exchange student. Amazing talent. Wait until you do that suite, it's magnificent.

Kate's most powerful gift is her ability to act as a kind of emotional lightning rod in her voice and music, she finds the feeling in whatever she's singing about and just blasts it through the sound. To be honest I'm a little doubtful she can do it any other way, because if you listen to Red Shoes, there's a dark, hurt, undercurrent from stuff in her private life that just kinda seeps through, despite her intentions for the album being quite different.

Showed this vid to a friend. Classical danser and master classes judge. So I simply asked her « how much would you give her as a note? ». Without hesitation she said « 19,75 ».

tech innovation note: Kate was among the first artists (possibly THE first, as she did this in 1979) to use a wireless mic in a headset-like setup so she could keep her hands free for onstage choreography.

I became aware of Kate Bush around the time this album was released, but a friend was dating a girl who was a fan of her really early stuff. I remember listening to some of that and going, "What's with the squeaky high voice?" I've come to appreciate that early music, but it's songs like this that sell her talent to me. Re: 37 years passing since this song's original release, I've read that most "legacy" artists are now making movie and TV rights a big part of their sales and marketing efforts, just because they can be hugely lucrative.

I remember listening to Kate Bush when I was growing up, and seeing her videos on TV. You're absolutely right about the unique colour of her voice: instantly recognisable, and I still love her music. Video is the perfect medium for her songs because you get to see her wonderfully expressive dancing; The fluidity of her movement is captivating and I love to watch it as much as I love to listen to the songs. There;'s such a lot of emotional power in her performances.

This is a great song. It was the first Kate Bush song I heard on college radio back in the day. The production, arrangement, and layering of sound in the song is just amazing! It's not a difficult or complicated chord progression, but she uses interesting sounds instead of your typical rhythm guitar or piano sound. And the way she uses the backing vocals towards the end of the song is incredible.

So glad this wonderful song that I grew up with is getting a fresh audience. It deserves it. This song is perfection. It’s a song about wanting to be understood implicitly.

Kate Bush is unique, and one of the most original and singular musical artists that Britain has ever produced - as a singer, a song-writer, a producer and a performer. You should give a listen to Wuthering Heights, her debut single, released in 1978 when she was just 19 years old, and try to imagine how startling it seemed back then; no-one had ever sounded quite like her before, or had the same creative sensibility. It was also immensely seductive, and went straight to No 1 in the UK and several other countries across Europe. As I write this, Running Up That Hill has just gone to No 1 in the UK; her second UK No 1, after a record-breaking interval of 44 years! It's also the slowest rise to No. 1 (37 years), and Bush becomes the oldest female artist to go to No 1, at 63 years and 10 months. She has been surprising us across five decades now, and I daresay she is not done yet. I hope she will win many more admirers of her art from this success. Her albums are a trove of musical delights and enigmas, ranging from some hauntingly beautiful piano ballads, through to elaborately composed, orchestrated and produced song-cycles. She is amazing!

Kate Bush is a master at her craft. In a league of her own. Two words to discribe her art "other worldly."

"A quest for empathy". That's the most appropriate description of this song I've heard so far.

I love a bit of nostalgia from my childhood and Kate deserves all the appreciation she is finally getting. For her tiny stature she has a massive talent. ….it was only Bush that got me to watch Stranger Things….and now I’m Hooked

Thanks to P. Gabriel for introducing many of us "rockers" to Kate Bush. Unique and wonderful voice for sure.

The first time I heard this song (many many lives ago) the hair on my arms and the back of neck stood up. To this day I still have the same reaction whenever I hear it.

I have been in love with Kate Bush since I was 16 ... that's 40 years!!!!

When you get to Ninth Wave, be sure you take a look at the performance of the suite on the remarkable 2014 live album Before the Dawn. It's expanded and more impactful. Hearing it on Hounds of Love in 1985 completely changed my expectations of what pop music can do, even more than did David Bowie. I think the new version is considerably improved.

I love that the musical theatricality of Kate Bush is captivating a new generation!

Wow, Man With The Child In His Eyes, Army Dreamers, Them Heavy People, Hammer Horror, Red Shoes, Rubberband Girl, Hounds Of Love are all fantastic.

I love that eighties naiive synth/early sampling sound. The dancing is bloody awesome too!

The complete B-side of the album "Hounds of Love" is iconic... timeless... I put this moment here.... I put this moment here... I put this moment... over here...

Love all of Kate's stuff...I had the great pleasure to see Kate live at Hammersmith way back when...was one of the most stunning concerts I've ever experienced

Kate Bush was a beacon of hope at a time when prog was being dumbed down. She was pushing pop back up the prog ladder.

I’m so glad you are planning an extended listen to side two of this album, the ninth wave. It is seriously one of the best album sides of all time. It has so many callbacks and tells such a cohesive and moving story.

Kate Bush is great beyond all possible comments. We are SO fortunate that in our time we have the technology to record her art.

At the time it came out, I loved Kate's previous albums but for some reason The Hounds of Love album didn't resonate with me immediately like the others had. But over the years it has slowly and steadily become one of my favourites. The use of this song in Stranger Things was extraordinary, and I can't image a better song for that scene.

I'm so glad you did this one ... this album is one of my favorite things ever recorded. It is a true masterpiece form beginning to end, and I'm so excited that she is once again being discovered by a new audience and being listened to. She is a true artistic genius. I can't wait for your reaction to The Ninth Wave!

Thank you for all the knowledge you share in your videos! Every time I listen to anything now, I'm trying to figure out the meter (by clapping) and listening for the notes to ascend or descend. Never gets old - I love it and want to learn more. Thanks again, amigo!

I was there when it came out! And now, I'm here to hear it again in its full glory!

Kate Bush: The leader in a field of one.

"The Kick Inside, Lionheart, Never for Ever" , the first three albums are excellent!

Interesting trivia about this song: This is the favourite song of Big Boi, one half of the legendary hip-hop duo Outkast. Kate Bush is also his favourite musician, and he's apparently been begging to work with her for years! More interesting trivia: Kate Bush wanted to work with Prince for years, and vice versa, and eventually it happened for the song Why Should I Love You. Kate Bush sent over what she felt was a fairly complete version of the song to Prince for him to add his parts, and he changed it massively, adding a very Prince touch to the song. Kate Bush didn't mind though because she loved it, even if it wasn't what she'd had in mind. Also the song features backing vocals from British comedian Lenny Henry, who is one of the founders of the Comic Relief/Red Nose Day charity organisation.

Kate studied dance from choreographer Lindsey Kemp, who also worked with Bowie on his Ziggy Stardust concerts. The Hounds of Love is just about a perfect album imo, not a weak track on it.

37 years ago when I first heard it , I thought it was the greatest song ever, now, I know it's the greatest song ever

Kate Bush is a universal treasure. Never made a bad album in my opinion

You will also notice that in episode 408 there is “Prophecies” by Philip Glass from the soundtrack of Koyaanisqatsi.

Back at school I remember Kate bush’s voice blew my music teachers mind.

Everything Kate Bush is pure genius.

Love Kate Bush, to me she's is the most unique & talented female artist ever...

A large part of the Kate Bush sound back in the day was her use of the Fairlight CMI. It was horrendously expensive at the time, the cost of a house price tag, but she had the creative ability to get the very best out of it. I'd guess that the record company bought it for her at the time. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairlight_CMI

Your analysis is spot on as always. Thanks for doing this song from my favorite female singer of that era.

Thank you for doing Kate Bush, you really must do the entire Hounds Of Love album.

She's such an immense talent. Her use of dance, and facial expression is as integral to her vocal performance as well. Kate Bush is true emotion.

Another great thing about the song and stranger things is Kate is fully on board with the song being in the show. She gave her full throated blessing. and she loves the show. She is a big fan of the old Hammer films.

Kate Bush is a pure genius,i love her song Soooooooooo much ❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

David Gilmour was the Godfather of Kate...he´s discovered her!! David play the guitar on the live version (on youtube)

As always, another thoroughly enjoyable breakdown. Keep up the great work.

Kate's ' Cloudbusting ' video is even better

Welcome to the KB fan club. Please do Wuthering Heights, unreal vocal and great guitar solo. As many others have mentioned, there are loads of songs to get into, a joy awaits…

Kate dancing was always one of my favourite parts of her performances...and to say she is beautiful is a total understatement

I love Stranger Things and was a teen in the late 70’s to mid 80’s. The series is filmed all around were I grew up in and around Atlanta. Did you check out the S4 Trailer of ST with a remix of Journeys Separate Ways? They isolated Steve’s vocals and gave the song a moody desperate vibe. It’s a nod to the characters being geographically separated this season as well as the parallel universe of the Upside Down. Very brilliant of the Duffer brothers. Steve Perry contacted them and got involved in the production of the song. He was super impressed with the results. Steve, aware of the licensing to use the song, actually cold called the brothers and started asking them all kinds of questions about the song. Several minutes into the call they asked “now who am I speaking with?” He says “Steve Perry, it’s Steve Perry” They were like omg we didn’t even realize we were talking to the Steve Perry 😂

Glad you've discovered Kate. Welcome to her/our collective consciousness since 1985.!