In case you (somehow) missed it, over the past week, Netflix's horror-cult, hit series Stranger Things, set in the 80s, has unexpectedly sent the (arguably) greatest alt-pop icon of all time, Kate Bush's compellingly introspective, 1985 Hounds of Love hit, Running Up That Hill (Deal With God), flying back up the charts around the world – almost four decades on from its original release
READ MORE: ‘STRANGER THINGS’ SENDS KATE BUSH’S ‘RUNNING UP THAT HILL’ RUNNING BACK UP THE CHARTS
With a whole new generation of fans basically breaking the internet over their new-found love for the weird and wonderful alt-pop icon for the very time, we were inspired to take a look back to Kate Bush's own live performance of the track (a rarity in her relatively tour free career) German TV program Peter's Pop Show – a rarity in the elusive stars relatively tour free cannon,
When Kate Bush released her fifth studio album Hounds of Love, it went straight to the top of the UK album chart, knocking Madonna’s Like a Virgin out of the number one spot in the process. Whether it bothered her or not, Madonna had every right to be concerned – Hounds of Love marked also Bush's breakthrough into the American charts with the album’s lead single, Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God).
The song's balanced blend of 80s synth-pop hooks and spiritual introspection came together as poetic pop perfection; hovering somewhere between the physical world and the hazy consciousness of dreaming, it’s a captivating five-minute journey that’s nothing short of mesmerising.
That transcendent quality is echoed in her live performances of Running Up That Hill, transforming the stage into her own otherworldly plane of existence with pure commitment to the theatrical choreography. Take a trip back to 1985 with this riveting performance, that, upon retrospection, looks like it could've been lifted from any Stranger Things scene! Enjoy below!
Kate Bush | Running Up That Hill [Live, 1985]
While we’re here, let’s take a look back at the song’s official music video, which features Bush performing a wonderfully avant-garde interpretive dance with dancer Michael Hervieu. As with all of Bush’s music videos, the scenes are steeped in imagery and symbolism resonating with her frenetic energy.
Kate Bush | Running Up That Hill [Official Music Video]
Hounds of Love received is considered by fans and music critics alike to be Bush's best album and has been regularly voted one of the greatest albums of all time. In a five-star review, Sounds called the album "dramatic, moving and wildly, unashamedly, beautifully romantic”, before going on to state, "If I were allowed to swear, I'd say that Hounds of Love is f***ing brilliant, but me mum won't let me.”
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