FEATURE:
“If I Only Could, I’d Make a Deal with God”
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
Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) and War Child
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JUST when you thought…
IN THIS IMAGE: Midnight Wave by Maggi Hambling/ART CREDIT: Maggi Hambling
Kate Bush’s kindness and brilliance could not increase, there is this new piece of news that adds new layers and dimensions to her charitable side. Rather than Bush asking people to donate to War Child, she has asked for something special from people. I shall come to those details in a minute. We are seeing a ceasefire unfold. Rather than it being a ‘conflict’ or ‘war’ like BBC and other news channels keep saying – which shows a bit of a bias towards Israel -, it is genocide. The BBC spent so long covering the release of the Israeli hostages, it was pretty unseemly. Showing that they have time for Israel and are very much predisposed to them and their experiences rather than the unimaginable suffering of those in Gaza. Hardly any time spent with them and how this ceasefire affects them. People, especially children, throughout the besieged Gaza have been killed or starved. It is a time when they desperately need support and aid. The same for those in Ukraine ravage by Russian violence. As Hounds of Love turned forty on 16th September, I was wondering if Kate Bush would pay tribute or do anything. For War Child, she has tied in to the album by highlighting lyrics from its best-known song, Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God). The words, “If I only could, I’d make a deal with God”, are very powerful. They mean specific things in the 1985 track. How men and women could make a deal with God to swap places so they can better understand one another. For this charity endeavour, Bush is asking visual artists to use those words and have them in mind when creating artwork.
IN THIS IMAGE: Detail from Child of War by Peter Doig, one of the pieces in the auction/COMPOSITE CREDIT: Peter Doig
The Guardian explains more about an idea that hopefully will raise a lot of money for War Child. Kate Bush once more at the forefront when it comes to charity and a cause very dear to her. Last year, she released the video for Little Shrew (Snowflake) to raise awareness and funds for War Child. It was a brilliant moment. She is always concerned and moved by what is happening across Ukraine and Gaza:
“Kate Bush and artists harness power of Running Up That Hill for War Child appeal
Musician invites 52 UK visual artists to create works based on song lyric to raise money for children affected by war
Kate Bush is harnessing the power of her global hit Running Up That Hill in collaboration with leading names in British art to raise money for children caught up in global conflicts.
The singer-songwriter invited 52 visual artists to respond to her lyric “If I only could, I’d make a deal with God” from her 1985 anthem. One of her best-loved songs and hailed as “one of the greatest songs of all time” by Rolling Stone, it became a hit all over again in 2022 when it featured in the fourth season of the US TV series Stranger Things.
Maggi Hambling, once described as the “original bad girl of art” and Peter Doig, whose paintings have sold for millions, are among those to contribute works interpreting the lyric for the fundraiser Sound & Vision, named after David Bowie’s 1977 hit. All the works will feature in an online auction, from 28 October to 13 November, with starting bids at £100, to raise money for the charity War Child, which protects, educates, and stands up for the rights of children living in war zones.
Announcing the project, Bush said: “All wars leave horrific scars; ruined lives, families ripped apart, life-changing injuries, trauma, and loss on a massive scale – but it’s the children who suffer the most in so many ways. Their past, present and future melt away into fear and uncertainty.
“It is more important than ever we support War Child and their invaluable work providing immediate aid to children caught in conflict all over the world including in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and Syria. Projects like Sound & Vision harness the power of art and music to make a real difference to children living through war.”
Bush follows in the footsteps of Bowie as a supporter of War Child. Bowie helped curate a fundraising exhibition for the charity in 1994 called Little Pieces from Big Stars, which 30 years later was the inspiration for the first Sound & Vision last year with artists responding to the lyric “We like dancing and we look divine” from his song Rebel Rebel.
IN THIS IMAGE: And If I Only Could I’d Make a Deal With God by Susie Hamilton/ART CREDIT: Susie Hamilton
The curator Gemma Peppé, the founder of Art on a Postcard, said Bush’s lyric had “prompted some great contemporary artists to produce some vibrant and evocative work”. She said Doig had asked if he could take part. “I nearly fell off my chair. That’s a testament to the great work War Child does.”
Charlotte Nimmo from War Child UK, which is present in a number of active conflict zones including Ukraine and Gaza, said: “We are delighted to announce that Sound & Vision is returning, this year inspired by lyrics from the incredible Kate Bush. This is made possible thanks to the immense generosity of both Kate and her team, as well as the iconic artists that are creating and donating pieces inspired by Kate’s lyrics.
War Child’s Sound & Vision 2025 will be exhibited at Iconic Images Gallery from 4-8 November. The online auction takes place from 28 October to 13 November via Givergy”.
It is great that there is this full circle moment. The Sound & Vision exhibition is inspired by the title of David Bowie’s song from 1977’s Low. In 1994, a couple of Kate Bush’s art pieces were part of a War Child exhibition. David Bowie took a fancy to her work. A hero of hers, it must have been a shock and honour that his eye was drawn by her works, Someone Lost at Sea Hoping Someone in a Plane Will Find Them, and Someone in a Plane Hoping to Find Someone Lost at Sea. Those titles relate to Hounds of Love’s The Ninth Wave. When Bush/the heroine was lost at sea and in need of rescue. Bowie didn’t end up buying the pieces, though it was this very special moment that she will not forget.
Now, over thirty years since David Bowie was compelled by Kate Bush artwork that was inspired by the second side of Hounds of Love, Kate Bush has this initiative and incentive with lyrics inspired by a song from the first side of Hounds of Love. It is a shame that David Bowie is not with us to see this happen. I wonder whether Kate Bush will be involved with War Child more. She has been involved with charity so much through the years. War Child on multiple occasions. This is a charity that is particularly important. Given the genocide and violence that is still going, it is more important now than ever to shine a light on their work. Raising much-needed funds. For the remainder of the year, I think we will hear a message of two from Kate Bush. The Christmas message in December. Maybe she will announce something or provide an update. It has been quite a busy and varied year for Bush. I wonder what 2026 holds in store. It is Kate Bush’s constant commitment to charity that is one of her most impressive and commendable qualities. Putting back into the spotlight her most-streamed and loved song, there is this constant life with Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God). It is a track that has this influence and pull. A power that has made different impacts through the years. Now, these amazing visual pieces are being created around the words “If I only could, I’d make a deal with God”. Baring in mind War Child and the work they are doing. The images we are seeing in Gaza, Ukraine and other nations affected by violence (including Myanmar, Sudan and Syria). Yet another amazing act of innovation, kindness and humanity from…
A genius and icon.