FEATURE:
And If I Only Could…
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in 1985/PHOTO CREDIT: Guido Harari
Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) Nearing the One Billion Streams Mark on Spotify
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IT may seem like a silly milestone…
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush and Michael (now Misha) Hervieu in the video for Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)/PHOTO CREDIT: John Carder Bush
or something that is not worth reporting on. I was made aware, via the Kate Bush News social media feed, that Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) is almost at one billion streams on Spotify. The video on YouTube has over 193 million views. A billion streams is insane for a song that, even as recently as a couple of years ago, was not hitting massive figures! This will absolutely be the final piece about this song for a while now, as I have discussed it at length. At the time of writing this (1st June), the song has 984,694,978 streams! That will up by the time I finish writing. When it comes to publishing (4th June), it will almost by at the one billion mark. Looking down the figures for all of the other songs and Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) has amassed more than most of her back catalogue put together. It may even have got more streams than all of her other album tracks combined. I think it is important to mark the upcoming milestone, as we will not see another song of hers get that sort of figure for many years (if at all). The fact that Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) is near a billion streams raises a few points. It would be nice to see the video for the song get an HD remaster. I think it would encourage more people to view it and, honestly, if you are new to the song and want to listen to it, then go to YouTube and get the visuals with the iconic track. Kate Bush will make a lot of money from the streams, so that is a good reason to keep doing it. The press have reported that she may earn millions from the success Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) has accrued since it was used in Stranger Things last year. To be fair, I am pleased Bush is making money from the song. She has earned the adulations and chart positions, because Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) is that rare thing of a track that can have repeated and new success. It speaks to so many different people for different reasons. As a result of its continued dominance, people are checking out the sister album, Hounds of Love.
I do hope that there is additional exploration. As I said, Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) has far surprised any of her other tracks regarding streaming figures. It would be amazing to think that people are listening to the track on Spotify, before they then g off and look at what else she has released. In any case, it will be a milestone when the Hounds of Love diamond hits a billion streams. Not only will it be another tremendous feat for a song that has dominated the world in the past year. It goes to show that there is something about Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) that goes far beyond its T.V. placement and hitting a chord. I have said it before but you can write a book alone about this one song. Leah Kardos is writing about Hounds of Love for an upcoming 33 1/3 book. I would love to see more people exploring this incredible song. Even if it is the go-to song for radio stations when they play Kate Bush, I am chuffed that she is going to hit such a huge streaming figure. It must give her the knowledge that she is reaching a new generation. If you have not heard about this Kate Bush song or the story behind it, then this article from THE FACE explains more:
“Bush’s song, written in a single evening the summer she turned 25, is built around a rhythm beat out on a peak ’80s drum machine (the LinnDrum) and recurring melodic stabs that sounds like the bark of a robo-dog (actually the bark of a Fairlight CMI synthesiser).
And yet here we are: a new generation nostalgic for a song that was released not only before they were born but also, in all likelihood, before many of their parents were born.
Why did this happen? The mighty Bush didn’t know, but Stranger Things’ music supervisor has a theory.
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush performing Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) in November 1985/PHOTO CREDIT: ZIK Images/United Archives via Getty Images
“This season and Kate Bush’s song really seem to touch on the experience of alienation and emotional struggle that a lot of teens have been and continue to be going through, albeit in different ways,” Nora Felder told Billboard. “Moreover, it reminds me that when we can’t find the support and understanding we may need from others, we sometimes turn to music that relates to our experience as a much needed source of validation and strength. To me… Running Up That Hill seems to do just that.”
Bush’s explanation of the song’s meaning, expressed in various interviews in 1985 (back when she gave various interviews), was in binary terms. But her emotional acuity resonates down through the years, and across the changing gender landscape.
“It’s about a relationship between a man and a woman,” she said in a conversation transcribed from “a limited edition CD picture interview disc”, a concept and format that, for Stranger Things’ youngest viewers, will be up there with cave paintings. “They love each other very much, and the power of the relationship is something that gets in the way. It creates insecurities. It’s saying if the man could be the woman and the woman the man, if they could make a deal with God, to change places, that they’d understand what it’s like to be the other person, and perhaps it would clear up misunderstandings.
“You know, all the little problems – there would be no problem”.
I think there are a few reasons as to why Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) is so popular. The sound and production, as I have written before, is extraordinary! Produced by Kate Bush, there is a warmth and drama to the song that hits all the senses. Sounding so fresh and relevant today, this song has inspired many artists through the years. People can relate to it, because others have followed in Bush’s footsteps and have made music that sounds similar to what you hear on Hounds of Love. The lyrics strike a chord too. That idea of tolerance and understanding if we swap places is so timely and hard-hitting. At a moment when there is so much division and hatred, you can immerse yourself in Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) and learn from it. Bush’s vocal is so full of meaning and emotion. One of her most nuanced and beautiful performances, there is this combination of drama and tenderness. Going far beyond Stranger Things and its placement there, people are coming to this song and holding it close because it has this compassionate heart and pull. I think you can transport yourself into the song – it has that sort of incredible power and gravity! Radio play also means people are seeking out the wonderful Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God). I am not sure whether Bush will comment when the song hits a billion streams. It is a huge deal for anyone, and I don’t think that it takes away from any other artist. I know that there are many struggling to earn decent revenue from streaming and the sort of figures Kate Bush is hitting, but this is a really big feat and moment that may never be repeated for her. A song that originally came out in 1985 is more popular in 2023. When she wrote it all those years ago, could she have imagined that Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) would be this colossus that has broken records?! It is an amazing achievement from an artist who is such a compelling genius. Later this year, Bush will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It will round off yet another massive year for her. We are not yet halfway through the year, so who knows what else is in store! It is intriguing imagining…
WHAT could come in 2024.