FEATURE:
Strange Associations
Why the Media Needs to Broaden Their Knowledge and Understanding of Kate Bush
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I am writing this…
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush at the London Planeterium in 1985 promoting the album, Hounds of Love/PHOTO CREDIT: imago/Future Image/Reuters/File
because it seems that every time an article about Kate Bush is written and published, she is labelled as the ‘Wuthering Heights singer’ or ‘As featured on Stranger Things’. There are these limited and lazy associations that, I guess, are designed to make sure people know who they are on about! If they were to list one of her deeper cuts or broaden their horizons, then people might be a bit confused! It is not something I see happening with a load of other singers. I never see Paul McCartney associated with a single song or best-known hit. Sure, he is always labelled as the ‘former Beatle’, but Kate Bush has had a varied career that has lasted near five decades! It is great that a recent article reported how Bush visited an Oxfordshire pub and shared drinks with John Bishop and Ian McKellen. They (McKenna and Bishop) are in a production together and, as Bush lives close enough by, she went and saw it and was seen there. After the production of Mother Goose, it must have been weird for people who also saw it not expecting a special visit from Bush! She is always labelled as a ‘recluse’, but actually she goes out as much as anyone else. Of course, people would have tried to take photos and share them but, as she is private and it was not about her, I guess it was requested not been published. One thing that bothered me is how Bush is so defined by Stranger Things. I have written in length about how the show helped bring her to a new audience. The fact they used Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) reignited a resurgence of affection for her. The single finally went to number one around the world, Bush broke records in the meantime, and it afforded us a very rare audio interview (that she conducted with Woman’s Hour). No doubt it was a marvellous thing, but many sort of feel like that is her defining moment, and that is what people will know her for.
It is not only an issue with the press. When I meet people now and I say I am a big Kate Bush fan or introduced as such, their reaction is always the same. They sort of muse and try to recall her work and then they say: “Oh, the Running Up That Hill singer?!”. Either that or they name Stranger Things. I think so many people’s memories and knowledge of Kate Bush is directed by her being pigeonholed or defined by the press. Maybe Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) is now her best-known song, but she is not an obscure artist who has only done one good song! Indeed, over the course of ten studio albums, she has had more than her share of hits. People don’t mention This Woman’s Work (The Sensual Work), Wow (Lionheart), Army Dreamers (Never for Ever) or King of the Mountain (Aerial). I can appreciate many younger people may only know that one song and the show it is now associated with, but it sort of distils her essence. Like a T.V. show is responsible for her being heard, and that is the only thing she will be remembered for. I can understand how the media needs a headline/sub-header that lists some of her work, but does it always need to be Stranger Things and Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)?! Bush is sixty-five in July, and I think she has earned a little more than lazy and predictable reduction. It gets me thinking again as to whether the associated success of Hounds of Love (1985) is narrowing focus too much. Listen to radio stations and those that play Kate Bush’s music and, more often than not, a song from that album is played.
I can sadly guess which one or four or five choices stations will go to when they announce they’re playing a Kate Bush song – and at least two of them are from that album. Deep cuts are rarely played or known, and we are in a situation where one of the world’s most original, influential, and important artists is almost seen as a one-hit wonder. It is wonderful that 2022 saw new success and love come her way, but can we get rid of the Stranger Things tags! It has had its moment and did what it needs to do. My fear is that, if Bush announces a new album, headlines will lead with that Stranger Things/Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) tag. If we want greater awareness and appreciation of her full body of work, then I guess it needs to start with the media and radio. By trotting out the same songs – even if they are genius! – and referring to Bush as the singer of/artist whose song appeared in…then you are in danger of that being all the new generations know her for. I realise people can dive deep when it comes to streaming, but are they going to dip into the album fully and navigate away from a song that has almost defined her legacy? This year needs to be one where stations and the media open up their eyes, eyes and minds to Kate Bush’s full work. Going beyond obvious and overused labels and associations. I think that is a way to get people looking beyond the one song/album. It also gives her proper respect and credit. Sadly, I think the next Kate Bush-related article will mention Stranger Things and/or Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God). If they could swap places with Bush, they would have a better understanding. Do a deal with a goddess. If only…
THEY could.