Kate Bush, “Running Up That Hill” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 82^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” by 🎙 Kate Bush. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 82^nd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”, performed by 🎙 Kate Bush.

Theme & Lyrics ✍

“Do you wanna know, know that it doesn’t hurt me? / Do you wanna hear about the deal I’m making?” Those lyrics hail from 🎵 “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”, the biggest hit from 🎙 Kate Bush. “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” experienced moderate success in the mid-80s, as the promo single from Bush’s 1985 album, 💿 Hounds of Love.  That said, the opener received greater success in 2022 thanks to being featured in the fourth season of the beloved Netflix series, 📺 Stranger Things.  In the United States, “Running Up That Hill” ascended up the Billboard Hot 100, eventually reaching the top five! Furthermore, Hounds of Love enjoyed new success on the Billboard 200.

The opener from Hounds of Love is idiomatic of the 1980s to the core! Nostalgic synths and pads stand out, as does the drum groove.  Those drums pummel consistently, creating an intense soundtrack that matches the lyrics and overall aesthetic. Bush serves up a compelling vocal performance, exhibiting poise at times, but also digging in when things grow more intense. As this 80s classic progresses, we get additional rhythm (via rhythmic guitar), additional, vintage, boxy drums, and additional bite from Bush.  And what about this deal she references in the first verse? Well, the chorus shed some light:

“And if I only could

I’d make a deal with God

And I’d get him to swap our places

Be runnin’ up that road

Be runnin’ up that hill

Be runnin’ up that buildin’

Say, If I only could, oh.”

Woo! I don’t think such deals go down, but give Kate Bush credit for trying, I suppose.  The lyrics are incredibly captivating, including the likes of “Unaware, I’m tearin’ you asunder / Oh, there is thunder in our hearts.” Like, BOOM!

Final Thoughts 💭 

🎵 “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” is a prime example of a record being “old, but still lit!”  It’s amazing this 1980s gem from Kate Bush unexpectedly found new life and relevance in 2022.  Also, this is a tale to never give up on a song, ever, even if it doesn’t instantly ignite the charts.  It took nearly 37 years for “Running Up That Hill” to receive just due in the US, haha.

🎙 Kate Bush • 💿 Hounds of Love • 🏷 Noble & Brite Ltd • 🗓 1985

Kate Bush, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 82 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype, Noble & Brite Ltd]