FEATURE:
Another Example of Kate Bush’s Generosity
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in 1989/PHOTO CREDIT: Kevin Cummins
M3GAN 2.0 and This Woman’s Work
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EVEN though…
I have written about Kate Bush’s This Woman’s Work and how it is perhaps overused in film, the latest example does at least come with a nice addition. The song weas originally used in a film. The 1988 comedy, She’s Having a Baby. It was not until the following year that it appeared on Kate Bush’s The Sensual World. It is a track that has been used widely used. A recent inclusion in the Jennifer Lopez-fronted film, The Mother. Now, it appears in M3GAN 2.0. One of the most anticipated sequels in recent years, it is not a surprise that this classic Kate Bush track features once more. Kate Bush News shared the details:
“The sequel to the hit 2023 sci-fi/horror film M3GAN has been released in cinemas worldwide. M3GAN 2.0 continues the story of an artificially intelligent doll who develops self-awareness and becomes hostile toward anyone who comes between her and her human companion. The first film grossed over $181 million worldwide against a budget of $12 million and received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its campy blend of horror and humor.
A pivotal moment in M3GAN 2.0 involves Kate’s classic song This Woman’s Work. According to writer-director Gerard Johnstone, a fan of Kate’s, he had designs on using the song for a while. Speaking to Forbes.com, he says “It was in the script, but in an earlier draft, it was another song because the situation was different and called for a different song. I wanted M3gan to sing This Woman’s Work over the titles of the first film, but we didn’t have enough time to seek out the rights. That was a fun idea I had that I didn’t get to do anything with. Once I realized the context of the scene in the sequel had changed and it was about motherhood, it felt like the most natural song choice.”
Johnstone continues, “I’m a massive fan of Kate Bush, and in all honesty, we shot that scene not knowing if we would get the rights; we just had to hope and pray that we did. It took a little bit of convincing, and she had to see the scene to approve it, but she did. Kate didn’t take any money for it either. We gave her all we could afford, and she gave it to charity. That made me an even bigger fan.”
USA Today have talked about the scene in question: “It wouldn’t be a “M3GAN” movie without a killer needle drop. M3GAN singing Titanium by David Guetta and Sia in the first film, for example. But none can compare to the demented brilliance of a pivotal new sequel scene, in which M3GAN launches into “This Woman’s Work” by Kate Bush. The jarringly hilarious performance comes after a rare earnest conversation between M3GAN and Cady’s roboticist aunt, Gemma (Allison Williams), who worries about her shortcomings as a parent to her young niece. M3GAN uses the tranquil pop ballad to ostensibly console her, in her own disconcerting way”.
It is always amazing when a Kate Bush song is played and used on the screen. It means more people connect with the track. The downsides are they tend to be the same track. The same ones overused. Deeper cuts never making their way into T.V. or film. It is not an original choice going for The Sensual World. It is a little obvious but, if the choice was that or no Kate Bush track, then it is a good option. However, it is not the studio album version used, rather the song being sung by the eponymous anti-heroine. It is a bit of comedic take I guess. I do hope that filmmakers push beyond the go-to of a song from Hounds of Love or This Woman’s Work. It is a little stale now. However, every bit of Kate Bush exposure if a positive thing. It shows how there is this breadth of love and respect for her work. How it can be used across so many genres. Such adaptable music that is used in pivotal moments. Perhaps unsurprising that her music more and more is used for tense or dramatic scenes. Something a little darker, more stirring. Or at least films and T.V. shows that have a darker tone to them. That said, her music has been used in comedies and, through the years, has really resonated. This will continue for years to come. The most striking thing about the M3GAN 2.0/This Woman’s Work collaboration is that Kate Bush was not interested in the money. So many news articles come out that ask what she is worth and how much she has earned. It always seems insulting and lurid. Yes, Bush has made a lot of money and is not short of a penny or two! However, she is someone who gives a lot to charity and is hugely generous. This is the latest case. Rather than asking for a lot of money to have her song used, instead, the money is going to charity. It is a great gesture from her! Not to say that this will be the case with every request she gets. However, it is clear that she is more interesting in seeing her work being used in an effective and respectful way. That it elevated a scene and makes an impact. That seems to be the case with M3GAN 2.0.
I do hope that filmmakers look deeper into Kate Bush’s catalogue. This Woman’s Work does seem a bit too overdone now. It is a shame. However, as I said, it is valuable use of her music. That is not to be sniffed at! However, there is this array of wonderful songs that would be incredible on the screen. It was a bit of unexpected news with M3GAN 2.0, as I did not know Kate Bush’s 1989 single would be used. Nearly thirty-six years after it was released (not including it featuring in She’s Having a Baby), this emotional song is still very relevant and popular. I wonder how many requests Kate Bush gets to use her music. No doubt other filmmakers have approached in the past year or two. Maybe we will see another one of her songs on a T.V. show or film before the end of this year. We are of course all anticipating a new Kate Bush album. I feel the attention she gets from filmmakers shows how loved her music is. That will definitely spur her to create something new I feel. The rest of this year is going to see anniversaries being marked (including Hounds of Love’s fortieth on 16th September). I do hold hope that we will see a deeper cut or a single that has not been used features in a film or a T.V. show. Maybe a long-overdue inclusion of Wuthering Heights? Maybe something different? However, the most revealing and pleasing aspect from the M3GAN 2.0 inclusion of This Woman’s Work is to see the generosity of Kate Bush. Someone who is always putting others first. Not too many artists are as altruistic and charity-minded as her. That is to be applauded. At a time when she could cash in and make herself more wealthy accepting so many offers to use her music, she has this sense of discretion and quality control. Not being driven by money. That alone is…
WORTHY of huge credit.