For many, including myself back in 1985, Kate Bush was a name unknown. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” that everything changed. This track, from her groundbreaking 1985 album Hounds of Love, became an instant obsession and an entry point into the fascinating world of Kate Bush.
By 1985, Kate Bush was already a significant figure in the UK music scene. Since her debut in 1978 at just 19, she had captivated audiences with her unique artistry. Her first album, The Kick Inside, achieved platinum status, propelled by her debut single, “Wuthering Heights.” This song remarkably topped the UK charts for four weeks, making Bush the first female artist to reach number one with a self-penned song.
kate bush wuthering heights single cover
“Wuthering Heights” itself was inspired by the final moments of the 1967 BBC adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic 1847 novel. Intriguingly, Kate Bush shares a birthday with Emily Brontë, July 30th. Her journey to stardom began in her teens when she was discovered by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour. He helped her create demo tapes and even funded their recording when she was only 16. EMI Records recognized her talent but wisely advised her to wait until she was 19 to launch her career. This patience proved fruitful. While her initial releases didn’t achieve massive success in America, The Kick Inside and “Wuthering Heights” became global phenomena. Even Pat Benatar, a rock icon in her own right, covered “Wuthering Heights” on her 1980 album Crimes of Passion, further cementing its impact.
Fast forward to September 1985, and Kate Bush, now 27, unleashed her fifth studio album, the critically acclaimed Hounds of Love. The album garnered widespread praise, and in the US, it became her highest-charting album, reaching number 30 on the Billboard 200 chart. Interestingly, the initial Rolling Stone review of Hounds of Love was less than enthusiastic, strangely comparing Bush to Jonathan Richman and deeming her vision “silly.” However, The Rolling Stone Album Guide later revised their stance, awarding Hounds of Love a respectable four out of five stars.
The lead single from Hounds of Love, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”, was released in August 1985, preceding the album launch by over a month. The inclusion of “God” in the title caused friction with EMI. Executives were hesitant about the religious connotation and initially favored “Cloudbusting” as the first single.
This reluctance stemmed from a misunderstanding of the song’s deeply personal lyrics and the intended meaning behind the title “Deal With God.” In a 1992 interview, Kate Bush clarified her intention: “I was trying to say that, really, a man and a woman can’t understand each other because we are a man and a woman. And if we could actually swap each other’s roles, if we could actually be in each other’s place for a while, I think we’d both be very surprised! [she laughs] And I think it would lead to a greater understanding.”
hounds of love album cover kate bush
She further elaborated on the title choice, “And really the only way I could think it could be done was either… you know, I thought a deal with the devil, you know. And I thought, ‘well, no, why not a deal with God!’ You know, because in a way it’s so much more powerful the whole idea of asking God to make a deal with you. You see, for me it is still called ‘Deal With God,’ that was its title. But we were told that if we kept this title that it would not be played in any of the religious countries, Italy wouldn’t play it, France wouldn’t play it, and Australia wouldn’t play it! Ireland wouldn’t play it, and that generally we might get it blacked purely because it had God in the title.”
Despite the label’s concerns, Kate Bush stood her ground and convinced EMI to release “Running Up That Hill” as the lead single, as it was the first song written for the album and held significant personal meaning for her. A compromise was reached: the album version would retain the full title “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God),” while the single release was simply titled “Running Up That Hill.”
In the UK, “Running Up That Hill” was met with immediate enthusiasm, debuting at number 9 and quickly climbing to peak at number 3. It became her second-highest charting single in her home country and her biggest UK hit of the 1980s.
The song’s success wasn’t limited to the UK. “Running Up That Hill” resonated globally, reaching the Top 10 in numerous countries, including Australia, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland. It also broke into the Top 20 in Canada and the Top 30 in Austria, France, and New Zealand, demonstrating its widespread appeal.
In the US, “Running Up That Hill” entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early September 1985 at number 95. By October 19th, 1985, it was still steadily climbing the charts. Two months after its Hot 100 debut, it reached the Top 40 and eventually peaked at number 30 in late November 1985, mirroring the chart performance of its parent album, Hounds of Love. The song remained on the Hot 100 for an impressive 20 weeks, a testament to its staying power, outlasting many songs that reached the coveted number one spot.
kate bush running up that hill single cover
“Running Up That Hill” also achieved a rare crossover success, appealing to both dance and rock audiences. It reached number 13 on Billboard’s Dance chart and number 34 on the Mainstream Rock chart, further showcasing its versatility and broad appeal.
placebo running up that hill cover artwork
The legacy of “Running Up That Hill” continues to flourish over three decades later. It has been covered by numerous artists, including a 2003 symphonic metal rendition by Dutch band Within Temptation. However, for many, the standout cover remains the 2003 version by London alt-rock band Placebo. Placebo’s darker, more melancholic interpretation was described by Q magazine in 2006 as sounding “more like a pact with the Devil” than the original “deal with God,” a sentiment that resonates with the song’s underlying themes of struggle and misunderstanding. Placebo’s version has also gained further exposure through appearances in various TV shows and films.
In 1997, when EMI Records celebrated its centenary, Hounds of Love was honored as part of their “EMI First Centenary” series, complete with bonus tracks, B-sides, and remixes. Discovering this special edition shortly after its release was a thrill, and Hounds of Love remains a cherished album to this day. From the moment I first heard “Running Up That Hill,” a deep appreciation for Kate Bush’s artistry was ignited, a feeling that continues to this day.
