FEATURE:
I Got Everything I Need
Kate Bush: A Perfect Conversation Starter
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FOR some people…
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush signing copies of Never for Ever in 1980/PHOTO CREDIT: Chas Sime/Getty Images
it might be difficult to spark up a conversation when it comes to Kate Bush. It is always one of the greatest things! I have more than one Kate Bush tattoo, and I am reading a book about Hounds of Love at the moment - so there are those opportunities. However, people often ask what music I like or who my favourite artists are. I mention Kate Bush, and that is a good way in. As I have said before, people often associate her with one or two songs. Maybe that is one of the flaws of talking about Kate Bush. However, it is still nice when people talk about her. If they are sharing their thoughts on Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) or Wuthering Heights, I enjoy sharing my memories and impressions. And getting to talk about Kate Bush more widely. I do think that you get certain people who only talk about new music and do not really chat about older artists. Those of a certain generation perhaps did not grow up around music from that far back. Or they are not really that keen on that type of music. Of that age. That is fair enough. However, I do love to discuss new and older artists. Kate Bush is my favourite subject. She is a great conversation starter. Not only because there has been recent attention around Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) and Stranger Things (her song appeared in the series in 2022). She is influencing artists today. So many in the mainstream you can link to Kate Bush. Halsey, Chappell Roan and even Charli xcx. If someone does not know who Kate Bush is even, I often find they are open to knowing about her. They might often go away and check out her music. For me, Kate Bush has affected so many areas of my life. In terms of journalism and writing, her music and amazing career has compelled me so much. Not only regarding features about her. How hard she has worked and how passionate she is about music has driven me.
Kate Bush is also someone who gives a lot to charity and is a source of strength and inspiration to so many groups of people. Someone who resonates with millions around the world. That is something I sometimes speak to people about. How she goes beyond the music. People ask where best to start with Kate Bush. It can be daunting. As she has not released new music in nearly fourteen years and many might associate her with her albums in the 1980s, it can be difficult suggesting her more recent albums. I always say go back to the start and 1978’s The Kick Inside. It is my favourite album of hers and one of her most accessible. In terms of the compositions, they are not as layered or rich as later albums, through I think the lyrics and what Bush tackles on that album – as a teenager, remember! – is remarkable! Listen to a lot of young women in Pop now and few are as bold and open as Kate Bush. She was tackling subjects that few of her peers were. Especially when it came to love and sex. There is so much to discuss when we think of Kate Bush. However, at a time when we all need some joy and escape, her music and career very much provides that! You start to talk about Kate Bush and everyone has their own facts or favourite things. The Most Wuthering Heights Day takes place each year. In fact, more than one day. An event where people gather in red dresses and dance en masse when recreating the video for her 1978 debut single, Wuthering Heights. Others recalls when comics Steve Coogan and Noel Fielding both paid tribute to Kate Bush for T.V. charity events. Other people hear new films and shows where Kate Bush music has been used.
Other conversations about Kate Bush often begin when people talk about Pop music of today. Whether they appreciate it or not, they highlight artists they like or bemoan the fact it is not like it used to be. I think Kate Bush is someone who has both influenced the sound of modern Pop music but has also avoided being associated with that label and genre. An artist who has very much steered her own course and would not see herself as a traditional Pop artist. However, when anyone chats about mainstream music today, it is another chance to mention Kate Bush. Either to demonstrates how extraordinary her music is and how she shook things up. If they are bored or feel today’s Pop lacks a certain warmth, riskiness or sense of depth, then Kate Bush is a perfect artist to recommend. Also, if you love modern Pop and think of these incredible women as original in many ways, I think a lot owe a debt to Kate Bush. Or they share similarities with her. Not to discredit these artists, though it is important to bring Kate Bush’s name into the conversation. I don’t think she gets talked about enough. In terms of how her music is influential today and how she broke down barriers for so many women who have followed. I often bring Kate Bush up when people are looking for music recommendations. It is important to support new music though, as many of Kate Bush’s tracks are not played on the radio and they might not be discovered otherwise, it feels great to be able to recommend a deep cut or an album many might not seek out otherwise (Never for Ever and Aerial come to mind in that respect). So many different possibilities and avenues to explore whenever there is a chance to speak about Kate Bush. She is a perfect conversation starter, as you can make so many connections with other artists and areas. Charity or production. How Bush was so young when she started. How she has fought hard through her career and guided her own path. Why she is so important today. One of the greatest joys is talking to someone new or you know…
ABOUT Kate Bush.