Kate Bush says the "world's gone mad" over 'Running Up That Hill'

In a rare interview the singer also revealed she never listens to her old songs

Kate Bush
Author: Paul TraversPublished 23rd Jun 2022

It might seem that everyone right now is either listening to Kate Bush or talking about her, but the singer herself seems to be an exception.

Giving a rare interview to BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour today, the somewhat reclusive Bush spoke about the ‘shocking’ success of ‘Running Up That Hill’ off the back of Stranger Things.

The 1985 track hit the Number 1 spot last week, breaking three chart records in the process.

Asked whether she ever listens to her own material, the singer-songwriter responded: “I never listen to my old stuff.

“But then you know, when things like this come along, I’m normally involved in something like you know, maybe doing an edit or revisiting the track for some kind of other reason, I’m working on it. So yeah, I hadn’t heard it for a really long time.”

Speaking to Woman’s Hour host Emma Barnett about her recent return to the spotlight, Bush said: "I thought that the track would get some attention. But I just never imagined that it would be anything like this. It’s so exciting. But it’s quite shocking really, isn’t it? I mean, the whole world’s gone mad.”

Asked about the meaning of the song she explained: “I really like people to take from a song what they want, but originally it was written with the idea of a man and woman swapping places with each other; seeing what it was like from the other side."

She also said that the song’s original title was ‘A Deal With God’ but her record company worried that it would not get airplay.

"Some of (my songs) have had very strange titles. You have a working title, which you often forget. For me, this is still called ‘A Deal with God’,” she added.

Kate Bush peforming live in 1985

In 2014 many fans – some of whom had paid hundreds of pounds for a ticket – expressed outrage when Bush omitted former hits like 'Wuthering Heights' and 'Babooshka' from the setlist on her Before the Dawn residency at the Hammersmith Apollo.

British electronic duo Mint Royale led the complaints online: ‘Hi @BBCWatchdog, Kate Bush is not performing her hit single Wuthering Heights on her current ‘‘tour’’. Am I entitled to a full refund?’ they tweeted.

She did play other hits including Running Up That Hill, however.

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