Kate Bush says the "world's gone mad" over 'Running Up That Hill'
The singer also revealed she never listens to her old songs
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 Woman’s Hour, the somewhat reclusive Kate 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 and it looks set for another week!
When 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, Kate 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.
In 2014 many fans – some of whom had paid hundreds of pounds for a ticket – expressed outrage when Kate omitted former hits like 'Wuthering Heights' and 'Babooshka' from the setlist on her Before the Dawn residency at the Hammersmith Apollo.
She did play other hits including 'Running Up That Hill', however.
You can hear Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' on Greatest Hits Radio.
Now take a look through some classic songs and albums who made huge chart comebacks:
1985: Kate Bush - 'Running Up That Hill'
Back in 1985, Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' reached Number 3 in the UK. The song was written and produced by Kate and featured on her fifth studio album, 'Hounds of Love'.
2022: Kate Bush - 'Running Up That Hill'
Kate Bush's 1985 hit was used prominently in Stranger Things season 4 volume 1. 'Running Up That Hill' was one of the main character's favourite songs. When Max Mayfield found herself in the Upside Down, it was listening to this song that saved her.
Now, 37 years after the song was originally released it reached Number 1 in the UK, breaking several records on its way, including the record for the oldest female to have a UK Number 1, along with the longest time taken for a track to reach Number 1, and the longest gap between Number 1 singles.
1984: Wham! - 'Last Christmas'
In 1984, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' was kept off the top spot by Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'. When it was released it was at Number 2 for five weeks and even re-entered the chart a year later as a Top 10 hit.
2021: Wham! - 'Last Christmas'
After a massive 36 years, and a few re-entries to the chart, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' finally got to Number 1 in early 2021. Speaking about the song's success Andrew Ridgeley said: "(I am) delighted, somewhat amazed and profoundly pleased." He also paid tribute to his late bandmate George Michael saying: "It is a fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius … he would have been immensely proud and utterly thrilled."
1994: Mariah Carey - 'All I Want For Christmas'
Mariah Carey's Christmas hit 'All I Want For Christmas' was kept off the top spot when it was released in 1994 by East 17's 'Stay Another Day'. Despite this, the song has become synonymous with Christmas and continues to played every year!
2020: Mariah Carey - 'All I Want For Christmas'
In 2020, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas' finally got to Number 1 in the UK, 26 years after its initial release. Speaking at the time, Mariah said: "Happy Christmas UK!! We finally made it!!! We are keeping the Christmas spirit alive together despite how dismal the year's been. Love you always! Joy to the world!"
1992: Whitney Houston - 'I Will Always Love You'
Whitney Houston's version of 'I Will Always Love You' was featured on the film The Bodyguard, which she starred in alongside Kevin Costner.
At the time, the song was a huge hit, giving Whitney one of the best-selling singles of all time, it also became the best-selling single by a woman.
2012: Whitney Houston - 'I Will Always Love You'
It was then in 2012, after the sad passing of Whitney Houston, that the singer's huge hit re-entered the charts, reaching Number 10 in the UK.
1990: Whitney Houston - 'Higher Love'
Originally released by Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston's version of 'Higher Love' was released in 1990, when it reached Number 13 in the UK.
2019: Kygo and Whitney Houston - 'Higher Love'
In 2019, Swedish DJ and producer Kygo reworked Whitney's version of the song as a tropical house cover. This version was very successful in the UK, giving Whitney her 18th song to peak within the Top 10 and also her first posthumous Top 10 track.
1998: Proclaimers - 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)'
The Proclaimers' 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)' was a hit back in 1998 when it was released, getting to Number 13. The song has become the duo's most popular song worldwide and is regularly played at their concerts.
2007 - Comic Relief - 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)'
In 2007, The Proclaimers' classic song was re-recorded by Peter Kay and Matt Lucas, as Brian Potter from Phoenix Nights and Andy Pipkin from Little Britain, for Comic Relief.
The song was a huge hit reaching Number 1 and remaining there for three weeks.
1977-79: Meat Loaf - 'Bat Out of Hell' (album)
Meat Loaf first released his 'Bat Out of Hell' album back in 1977, but it didn't do very well, and it wasn't until 1979 that is saw chart success after being featured on The Old Grey Whistle Test. It then got to Number 9 in the UK.
2013/2022: Meat Loaf - 'Bat Out of Hell' (album)
Since the album's initial success in 1979, the album has appeared a couple of times in the chart. In 2013 it re-entered, once again reaching Number 9.
Meat Loaf's albums also re-entered the chart after his death in early 2022. His compilation album 'Hits Out Of Hell' reached the Top 5 and his 1993 album 'Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell' reached the Top 30.
1986: 'Top Gun' (soundtrack)
Back in 1986, with the success of Top Gun (the film), the movie soundtrack also rose high up the charts, with iconic songs such as 'Danger Zone', 'Take My Breath Away' and of course 'Top Gun Anthem'.
The soundtrack album reached Number 4 in the album charts.
2022: 'Top Gun: Maverick' (soundtrack)
With the release of the eagerly anticipated sequel to Top Gun, came Top Gun: Maverick, and with it a new soundtrack. Despite having a number of new songs, the soundtrack also features many of the classic songs from the first film. The soundtrack album has now reached the Number 1 spot in the compilation chart.
70s/80s Elton John - 'Rocket Man’, ‘Sacrifice’, ‘Kiss the Bride’, and ‘Where’s the Shoorah?’
In the 70s and 80s, Elton John released several popular songs 'Rocket Man', 'Sacrifice', and 'Kiss the Bride', as well as his album track 'Where's the Shoorah?', which was used in the film Blue Moves.
2021: Elton John and Dua Lipa - 'Cold Heart' (Pnau remix)
OK, so it's not exactly the same song, but in 2021, Elton John teamed up with Dua Lipa on 'Cold Heart' which Australian trio Pnau produced. The song mashes up Elton's songs 'Rocket Man', 'Sacrifice', 'Kiss the Bride', and 'Where's the Shoorah?', resulting in a worldwide Number 1.
Now read:
Cher congratulates Kate Bush on her new Number 1 with a heartwarming message
'Running Up That Hill' could get Kate Bush another week at Number 1
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