@@rkc906 That's nothing. Wrote "Man with The Child in His Eyes" at 13. It scored her an EMI recording contract at 16, with help from Dave Gilmour from Pink Floyd.
There is actually a part in the book ,where Heathcliffe hears Kathy's ghost hounding at the window calling him. I remember meeting Kate Bush,because my school was not far from where she lived and a group of us loved this song so much we wrote to her and invited us to tea. She is so clever,beautiful and kind.
Kate is now a national treasure here in the UK, we took her to our hearts almost straight away, as we love her eccentricities and unique creativity. She has ploughed her own path through the music business, and has achieved so much with charm and grace. A true artist, involved in every aspect of the creative process, a reluctant interviewee who wants the art to speak for itself. She's quite a private person, very thoughtful and charming, and fearlessly intelligent. Luckily she has had her close knit family around her encouraging her and helping keep her grounded. She never enjoyed touring, and appears never to have had the desire to 'conquer' America, that's the reason she has been a revelation now over in the States.
No, we Americans knew about Kate Bush for decades. I don’t know who you’ve been talking to, apparently, not the right Americans. Just because she’s a Brit does not mean that america didn’t know about her in the 1970s. The problem is that music today is so awful, people are going back decades to find old stuff they hated then but actually like now due to all the horrible music out there. I’ll listen to Kate Bush any day over Taylor Swift and Adele or whatever her name is. Gosh, swift and Adele are so awful….it’s like listening to nails scratch across a chalkboard.
This song could have easily been seen as a gimmick but the guitar solo at the end is epic. When you realise that Bush is playing Cathy, you realise that this is really on another plain to everything any woman had done before. Only Bowie was creating music this inventive at this time. Utterly unique.
Imagine how blown people's minds were in the UK in the late 1970s. I remember people couldn't cope with Kate Bush's creativity. Certainly 1 of a kind and an inspiration for so many women performers.
I'm realizing English people are a little more open minded to unique music and artists. It's too bad it has taken this long for the US to "discover" her.... but I'm happy to finally be listening to her music now :)
You can speak for the Americans that you know BUT you do not speak for the other hundred million or so American citizens that you do not know. We appreciate Kate Bush here in America….we have since the 70s. If we can handle listening to Dr. Frank n Furter singling in fishnets……in comparison, Kate Bush is like a breath of fresh air.
As a 40 year Kate mega fan, I can tell you it's an amazing experience to see someone discovering Kate fresh. She really is one of the most talented overall artists ever, the songwriting, singing, dancing, doing videos way before others did, just amazing. She's so unique that she doesn't always hit with some people so being her fan can be a lonely experience. Have fun on this journey friends, it'll hit all your creative bones.
I can see how she's not everyone's cup of tea, but she's definitely mine! I have some more Kate videos coming, I just can't stop because each song has been more and more amazing. She's so multi-faceted and I love it
@@generationgapreacts I fell in love instantly with the creativity of this song back in 1978 and immediately grabbed the album , it's orchestrated instrumentals towards the end can't be underestimated either. There was a lot of debate among friends and family at the time as to how much of the vocal is her 'natural voice' or deliberately put on in some way.
@@generationgapreacts Yes, multi-faceted. You can't imagine how much. Kate usually plays piano, but provides some crazy electric guitar feedback and bass playing on "Big Stripey Lie" 1993. Maybe not to everyone's taste, but a perfect example of her eclecticism. I'm a hard rock fan and I love it.
As a Brit the same age as Kate, and a fan from the very start of her career aged 19, I very much enjoyed seeing your first listen to this very iconic debut single. Most young reactors don’t get that she is singing as a ghost and are thrown by the high register with added voice inflections. Arguably the greatest living female artist, the list of artists coming after her who cite her as a major influence is immense. Definitely witchy - much more so than say Stevie Nicks. As well as being a singer, prolific songwriter, composer, pianist, producer, choreographer and video director, she is also a trained dancer and mime. So she can tell a story using only movement and facial expressions. Huge globally but not very well known in the States prior to her 1985 Hounds of Love album, mainly because she never toured there and does only the bare minimum to promote each new album before disappearing to work on the next one. If your taste is ‘out there’, Kate is your lady. I look forward to your next Kate Bush reaction. Should probably be ‘The Man With The Child In His Eyes’ next and then ‘Babooshka’. Best to work your way through her catalogue chronologically because her style and preferred vocal register changes as she progresses.
Yes I am so glad I discovered her. Its no wonder I haven't until now if she hasn't done much promoting or concerts in the US and she seems to be very private. I enjoy uncovering this mystery surrounding her. I just posted a reaction to The Man With the Child in His Eyes, what an experience. Babooshka seems like a great 4th song to listen to. I am trying to listen to her songs in order to get a feel for how she changed and progressed as an artist.
@@generationgapreacts maybe you should pick a few tracks from Lionheart before addressing Never For Ever, her third album (Babooshka). To help you here are three quite different tracks from it: Wow, In The Warm Room, Hammer Horror (the original musicvideo is superb)
If you read the book….this song makes so much sense. She’s deceased, however, she wants her lover to join her. It’s very creative. Kate must have been raised by some very talented parents. I just have a feeling. I could be wrong but she has so much artistry in her performance….she had to get that from one or both of her parents. That’s something that’s natural, although, it could be learned but I doubt it. All these great musicians have someone in their bloodline who could sing, play instruments and create music, lyrics, etc…. That comes naturally to the great ones.
That video sure is an acid trip, I had no idea what I was watching when I saw it for the first time. But it's such a high form of art, absolutely stunning and so progressive given the time period it came from. To this day this remains one of my absolute favourite songs ever.
Kate was very popular in the UK, Europe, Australia & New Zealand in her heyday, but she never really got a break in the USA, although a couple of her songs were covered later by American artists. I was lucky enough to watch her rehearse this song for New Zealand television in the late 70s. She was very professional, and cared about every detail of the performance. Very impressive.
Pat Benatar's cover of this song is quite different but my first time hearing the song and lyrics of "Wuthering Heights" I only discovered the original by Kate Bush many years later.
You are witnessing the birth of a true genius. Kate writes sings dances produces directs audio and visual choreography and video, everything is her creation. 10 studio albums, triple album live performance, coutless awards. Influencing many that followed. Everything achieved without ever selling herself to the media machine...an incredible woman beyond compare....KATE BUSH. (I maybe a bit of a fan)
I’m very jealous of the Kate Bush journey of discovery you’re about to go on. Many of us KB fans in the UK have always cherished her creativity and wonderful songs. Please try Wow, Under The Ivy, Oh To Be In Love, Army Dreamers - and so many more ! She has been criminally overlooked in the USA. Enjoy !
She has been very overlooked in the US! I'm still baffled I have not heard of her until now, but happy to finally be introduced to her music. I will be listening to those songs :)
Kate Bush is one of a kind. A true artist, singer, composer, musician, dancer. Her creativity and artistic/professional integrity are gifts to the world.
Thank you for reacting to this. I first saw Kate perform this song - her debut single - live on the British BBC music show Top Of The Pops in 1978 (when I was 18), and was so blown away I just had to go out and buy her debut album The Kick Inside, still one of my all-time favorite albums.
Love the album the Kick Inside. I also bought it back when it first came out and it was actually this album that made me into a life long fan . Somehow, if you listen to the album from start to finish it takes you on a journey that's hard to explain but the songs seem to belong together - not many albums achieve that magical 'whole' feeling.
I remember going to school the next day and everyone was talking about her. It was so different to anything else at the time (perhaps ever!) I was into punk at that time but have been a Kate fan ever since!
This came out in the late 70's. She was a friend or discovered by David Gilmore of Pink Floyd. Cloudbursting, Babushka, Running up the Hill - all great hits.
Kate Bush was the first female 'pop' superstar - although she'd have been 'alternative' by today's criteria. She pushed boundaries in the UK music scene and was a pioneer in her artistic video clips. Babooshka and Sat In Your Lap were regularly played by our (Australian) weekend music video programs for years.
I am stunned, shocked and amazed that you guys have NOT heard this song before. A seriously big hit within the UK and across Europe in 1978. But if you're not from the UK then perhaps your insight in to the works of Kate Bush may not be as great as those of us living within the UK. Kate Bush has always remained a reclusive artist and seldom performs live but when she does her concert sells out within minutes - even today. This should give you an idea just how recognised and appreciated Kate Bush is (even before her song RUNNING UP THAT HILL was re-released).
First heard this song on my radio headphones as an 8 year old. I was blown away and captivated. Been a huge fan ever since. Still a regular listener of her many albums. The first musical artist I ever heard that captured my interest and imagination. She is the complete package. A musical 'legend'.
I can imagine her saying "Leave behind my Wuthering, Wuthering, Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy I've come home, I'm so cold. Let me in your window" Very interesting choice of words throughout. She is a ghost returned from the other side, returning to their home. She is cold of course as a ghost but maybe the moors are also cold. She says "Let me in your window" which is haunting and enchanting at the same time.
She is one of Britains best kept secrets who should never have been so. By far our best female artist to ever come from there. Welcome to Kate Bush, you are going to enjoy the ride. She is quite like Queen in that her songs are very different yet familiarly so as her sound is undeniably hers. The backing band is a family affair. Very talented musicians that has been a staple in my music collection. Great reaction, look forward to following the journey.
Loved this song when I first heard it in 1978. It was so different. When I passed my driving test I had just bought her album "The Hounds of Love" and in those days you did not have many tapes so it was Kate and Pat Benatar I listened to all the time. Didn't realise until years later that Pat had actually recorded Wuthering heights also. That is also a great version.
Not too many of my male friends were fans of Kate Bush when this first album came out, but I was mesmerized by her creative and unique storytelling, and certainly captivated by her beauty. She is one of those 'one of a kind' performers.
Kate Bush is a legend. I have loved her music since I was 11. I'm 55 now. Check out The Man With The Child In His Eyes. I love the performance of this on US programme Saturday Night Live.
That song was a massive hit in the UK. Went to the top of the charts and made her an instant star. I was only 5 then, but I remember when this first came out, it made such a huge impression.
The book was a favorite of mine. That is what drew me to Kate so long ago. I was.impressed the intensity of the song matched the book. If you read the book, the song is really amazing.
I was just wondering about the new discoverers of Kate Bush, and how many would really find a kindred spirit in her, like I did all of those years ago. She's not necessarily for everyone, but wow, after all these years, I sometimes just start crying for no reason when I listen to her music. You seem to get what's so special about her, so enjoy the journey through her glorious discography. It's satisfying to see someone appreciate the weirdness, romanticism, and pathos of this song.
I was a child of ten years old, when I discovered Kate Bush. Every one thought I was a weirdo for liking her music, here I am 43 years later and I still think she's an absolute legend. 😁
I was so captivated by this song that I read “Wuthering Heights”. Amazing to think it was written by a young Victorian women. It also started me down the Kate Bush rabbit hole. I’ve been a fan ever since.
I like the outdoors video more. It's my favorite Kate Bush song by far! I'll never forget my reaction when I first heard it. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I played it for 5 times after the first listen. The melody, her voice and her movement enchanted me!
Written in 1976, released in 1978 - it has stood the test of time - just as astonishing and captivating now, nearly fifty years later. A creative musical genius of the first rank, fully deserving of the current renewed interest in her work.
You are about to embark on a fantastic musical journey. I'm 52 and I've been listening to Kate and studying her work since the age of 8. Kate is a musical Shakespeare who will open doors to you to unknown worlds, to art, paintings, spirituality, literature and much more if you get into it seriously. Her music saved my life more than once. Enjoy !
Kate is surreal! My dad, who's in his 70's, introduced me to Kate many many years ago. Her sound is unique and ethereal. Her brother is part of her band, in the early years. She's a trained dancer. (I used to call her my mom!)
Thank you for your reaction and I'm so glad that you really like the song. Kate is singing with a deliberately high register, because she thought that it was perfect for the songs subject matter the return of the Ghostly Cathy, BTW Kate vocal performance was captured as a single take, there's no editing involved. A while before Kate wrote she saw the tail end of a BBC dramatisation of Wuthering Heights, at the point where Cathy as a ghost is outside a window trying to gain access to Heathcliff's house and the scene stuck with Kate. Kate wore the song on the 5th of March 1977 at around midnight under a full moon, at this point Kate used to do her composing of songs very late at night into the early hours - she remarked later how her neighbours must have been fed with her singing at that time. A strange aspect is that before Kate wrote she borrowed a copy of the book from (I think) and read bits of it in order to get a feel for Cathy as a character, when she did eventually get round to reading the whole book some time after completing the song, she noticed that words were in her lyrics that were from parts of book that she hadn't read originally. Regarding Kate's performance, when Kate is being interviewed at around the time that "Wuthering Heights" is racing up/topping singles charts around the world, she does come across as shy, timid even - but when Kate performs she becomes completely different, she's portraying the character that she's singing about. She did say later that she was channelling Cathy, it also helped in a way that when she was a child that she was called Cathy so there was a sort of connection there. "Wuthering Heights" reached number 1 in Australia, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal and UK, by reaching number 1 in the UK Kate became the 1st female artist to have a self written song reach number one, in nine other countries the song got to at least number 10 in their respective singles charts. This would remain Kate's best performing single until it was completely blown by the phenomenal success of "Running Up That Hill" in 2022. As a song "Wuthering Heights" has been analysed "to bits" because within it there are some very unusual chord changes and in parts timing variations, the overall song structure is so different to what was in the charts at the time and the icing on the top is Kate's vocal performance. When Kate composed the song she didn't follow any musical theory or standard form or structure, she wrote down what she thought was right for the song. The "Red Dress" version of the music video inspired a worldwide celebration of "Wuthering Heights" and Kate called the "Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever" were men, women and children get together in mostly red dresses (or wearing red) in a field to collectively follow Kate's dance moves in that video. This year events were held on the day of Kate's birthday and there are plenty of videos on RU-vid if you are interested. BTW Kate's debut album "The Kick Inside" sold one million copies in the UK and reached number 3 in the album chart. Depending on where you were in the world the album cover might be different from the UK "kite" cover which I prefer, I know that the original American version had a different cover, I don't know if that now changed in later pressings.
I can tell the song didn't follow any traditional song structure and that's what made it so intriguing. Her tone and theatrics as well. It was very enjoyable and it was like reading a book but in sound form. I love the red dress version and can see why it has such a cult following! It seems I missed the gathering in Australia by 1 month!
@@generationgapreacts Sorry to hear that you just missed it, it is annual event so hopefully next year there will be "The Wuthering Heights Day Ever" event that you can get to.
There's a recently unearthed alternative version of the video. It's called the Gothic version I think and it popped up on my recommendations a few months ago. All very graveyard-ish and Hammer-ish (pun oh Kate's Hammer Horror song intended hehehe). It's probably my favourite version, but that could be because I haven't watched it a million times before hehehe
I worked in a record shop in the early to mid eighties. I was also into more alternative and punk before that, so I grew up with Kate Bush. At the record shop I was able to turn a lot of people on to her. A little Kate Trivia: She and Emily Brontë share a birthday July 30
I loved your reaction. Kate is a music legend in the UK and highly respected by musicians worldwide, like Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette and Bjork, who cite her as a big inspiration. I have loved Kate since my babysitter played her to me when I was 6 years old in 1978. I'm really happy that she still made a big impression on you 2022. I hope you are able to explore her work some more. It's a magical journey. ❤
I heard the song as a child and was instantly mesmerised by it and by Kate, though I really didn't understand why or what it was about. Later when I was in college I read the book twice just because I was so fascinated by it. In the 80s she had released many more singles and the first CD I ever purchased was Kate Bush - Hounds of Love which contains "Running up that Hill". I read her biography that there is some mention of witch-craft in her heritage. Greetings from Australia.
Fantastic 'young' artist at that time, I think she was only 16 or 17 when she did this. She wrote many songs for herself and other people eventually settling down a starting a family, a few years back she made a come back and tickets sold out instantly and ironically she really hasn't changed her style or looks, a very loyal following. Keep up the good work ladies x
It's so exciting to see people only just discovering Kate. I became a fan because of my Dad back when I was a kid. So I've been listening to her for the last 15yrs or so, she's honestly amazing and no song of hers is the same and each will transport you to Kate Bush's World! 💜
Lost count how many reaction videos I have watched to this performance, the mixture of surprise, shock and bewilderment that then moves into fascination,,
Fantastic video, ladies !!! .. I am a huge Kate Bush fan and have watched many reactions to her, especially to this song which I totally love .. Yours is the absolute best .. You really nailed it ! .. You, understood the song, and were clearly tuned into all the aspects of Kate's unique talents and performing style .. I instantly subbed and look forward to seeing more. ( PS - You're both adorable ! )
Oh wow thank you so much! Love reading positive, supportive comments like this. You’re great! Check out my Kate Bush playlist to see some more of my reactions while I discover her music
You hit the mail on head when you said she was ‘unique’ - she most certainly is - she’s SO special. It’s incredible that she had this level of artistry at such a young age - notice how she doesn’t blink at all in the video - ghosts don’t blink! She purposely raised her voice to sound ghost like which is why she sounds different from her other songs. She re-recorded this in 1986 - the ‘New Vocal’ version - a lot of Kate fans prefer the original but the power in her voice at the end is incredible - definitely worth more than a few listens. So glad you finally found Kate - there’s no one else like her and she’ll touch your soul.
It makes my heart swell with joy to see people experience for the first time, what I experienced decades ago. Kate Bush is a legend and true artist in all aspects. Good video
There's a comedian named Noel fielding who did this for red nose day which is raising money for other poor countries. He looked so much like her. It was amazing!
Kate is a legend in the truest sense of the word. She wrote this at 16 and had a huge career in the UK and across Europe and Australia. You should really look at This Woman's Work and Dream Of Sheep. 2 of my favs. So many female singers cite Kate as an inspiration including Tori Amos, Bjork and Lady Gaga.
Kate Bush said : I sung in so a high tone because I tought it was the right tone for a ghost - this sng is simply unforgettable , when it enters your head you never forget it - outstanding artist , outstanding music and lyrics
Another big, *BIG* vote for The Dreaming, which is a truly extraordinary piece of work, the first album on which Kate was fully in charge of production. Amazing songs, amazing sounds, and Kate singing in a dozen different voices. A work of genius. New UK subscriber here!
From what I`ve heard David Gilmour from the band Pink Floyd provided a young Kate with the studio for recording this song+Album.(?).Imagine writing this as a teenager...Amazing..!! This song grows for every time you listen to it... I thought it was so strange hearing it when I was young... but now many years later I`m stunned by the story and melodic emotions being expressed with her rare voice and dance.. Just beautiful ..!!
When this came out everyone was shocked we had never seen or heard a voice like Kate Bush. This video sums up the book completely. Kate is famous in UK and Europe so proud of her a really great Brit. Everyone knew what the song was about Wuthering Heights is mandatory reading in the UK schools.
You are looking at the female version of David Bowie, she is a true artist, creative in mime and dance, in every sense, her range is extraordinary not bad as she was 16 when she wrote this.
Kate wrote that song as a 15 yr old and released in 1978 aged 18 it was a massive no 1 hit single for her and she found stardom overnight,She has always been very creative and artistic in her career and was the first uk artist to use a headband microphone on stage so she could dance and express herself on stage whilst singing. Her albums are massive hits from The Kick inside which this song is lifted from ,though to several others that she realised in the 1980's and 1990's She also has has massive selling greatest hits album "The Whole Story" which clearly demonstrate her songwriting and musicality. In my humble opinion Oate Bysh is the leading female British artist on the late 20th century and the queen amongst so many other talented Englisbh female artists thaat came to the forefront of the English music scene in the 1980's, 1990's and beyond
Kate Bush is one of the most influential superstars of the English Music scene from the late 1970's through to the mid 1990's. She was and is uniquely differebt woth a sting of single hots and a whole number of critically aclaimed Albums.A special talent .
I'm almost 60 years old, and me and all of my friends (and my husband) were huge KB fans (I introduced a lot of my friends, and at first they thought she was too weird, but came around). If you were in America, it was a struggle, because most people in the States didn't even hear, let alone 'get' Kate. If you put the time in, you will always come out the better for listening to Kate, because she is a true artist, and she's just wonderful.
THIS song was my ever first single I bought when I was 11 and I heard it for the first time on a German TV channel - still have the singles and albums to this day plus the CDs. I have been a fan ever since.
Great reaction🔥 To me, Kate is The Queen of Art Pop. She definitely was/is in a league of her own who inspired many artists who came after (Tori Amos, Bjork, Lorde to name a few). You guys are in for one helluva ride diving into the Kate Bush experience. For more context, Kate Bush wrote the song "Wuthering Heights" (1978) after watching the 1967 BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) miniseries adaptation of Emily Bronte's romantic, gothic novel. After reading the novel herself, Kate wrote up the lyrics to the song in one night. Released the following year, "Wuthering Heights" became the first woman-penned track to reach #1 in the UK Top-100 Chart's History. Kate was only 18 years old when she accomplished the feat. I suggest you give Kate another chance with her song/music video "This Woman's Work" (1989) about the uncertainty of childbirth through the eyes of the man. The R & B artist Maxwell famously covered it in the late-1990s
That's amazing! I had no idea she was the first woman to reach the #1 with her own written song. That is such an accomplishment for a girl as young as she was. I can't wait to get to This Woman's Work, and I'll be watching the movie it was written for as well.
Another vote for "Moments of Pleasure" as it is beautiful and has one of my favourite metaphors I've ever heard sung, "Here come the hills of time," the imagery of time being a hill, where you start out at the foot thinking it's a struggle to reach the top and adulthood, then it's a faster and faster decent from there. Just amazing stuff.
I had a friend in College from England. He introduced me to Kate Bush in the early 80's. She was very popular in England, not so much in America. You will love her other songs
The next one on your list must be the official video of Kate singng "This Woman's Work". Totally out of this world! Americans usually think it was Maxwell's song, but no. Kate for ever!
Kate Bush was once known as "England's Best Kept Secret". She is an artistic genius at the highest level. NOTE: I chose the term "artistic" over "musical" because although she is primarily a musician, her art is also a visual experience. Kate does have a higher register singing voice in her early years, coupled with her decision to sing this song in a higher key to simulate the ethereal, ghostly spirit.
Kate was only 17 when she wrote this & 19 when she recorded it the 1st time. She was & still is an avid reader & this was her favourite Novel at the time. In an Interview in Australia in 1979, she said that she had read the Novel in 2 nights of buying it. A few days later, she had a dream that she was living the book & she was Kathy, so she wrote the song in 1 night. It took her 2 years to get the song recorded & to work out the Choreography for the Video. Her Mother who was a nurse, but could also dance & Cousin who was also a dancer, helped her choreograph the song for the Video. Kate started learning Ballet at 3 years of age. She had been writing songs from the age of 11. She was the first British female Artist to have a no1 hit in Britain, with a self written song. She was also the 1st British Solo Female Artist to Top the British Album Charts & the 1st Female Artist to enter the Album Charts at No1. In Australia, Kate had 10 Albums reach the Top 10 & 5 of those hit No1, with her first, The Kick Inside (Featuring Wuthering Heights), stayed in the Charts for 52 Weeks & remained at No1 for 30 Weeks. The single remained No1 for 25 Weeks. She had 24 No1 Singles in Australia. Wuthering Heights was her 1st. It hit No1 twice in Australia. The 1st time in 1978 & then again in 1986 with a remix of the song.
Cloud busting is just genius But actually, every song she’s ever written resonates with us. So grateful to have been a passenger on her journey of discovery xx 💋
With this song Kate Bush became the first female artist to have an entirely self-penned number one hit in the UK. She influenced so many other artists and was always original.
Surprised that her amazing voice was not mentioned until nearly the end of your reaction. More popular outside the U.S.? You could say that… “Wuthering Heights” which she wrote at age 18, was #1 in her native UK, Australia, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and Portugal. With this song, she became the first female artist in the UK to achieve a #1 single with a self-penned song. Interestingly, she shares a birthday with Emily Bronte… and me.
# 1 in Australia in 1978. She was very popular in Australia in the late 70's/early 80's and was on the bedroom walls of many teenage boys (so I've been told). My pathetic crush on Kate Bush was at its peak in the 90's. I used to cry and sulk about her not being my girlfriend, even though she was 18 months older than my mother..
Which proved correct and after about 2 more years of writing more songs to test out and further refinement of this songs lyrics finally decided the time was perfect to record all those songs including this one.
Sutcliffe asked her to haunt him at her death bed for the pain he caused her , she came back at the end and he left with her to their castle on the moors that they made as children , the original film is very touching .
