Kate Bush - Egypt (1979) Xmas TV Special

Kate Bush
"Kate"
Xmas TV Special
BBC TV Studios
Birmingham
U.K.
1979-10

[@davideparrino4774]

This song is too underrated... Great harmonies, original chord progressions, intense feeling and, my God... That minimoog solo. Such a killer track

[@maciejszumny6919]

Couldn’t agree more.

[@avlisauak]

Top tier song

[@GrieviousGeorge]

When I visit Egypt, I'm cranking this one out loud

[@suziqw139]

Have you done it yet?

[@HaydenOran]

I've never seen anything like this before... Especially the last two minutes. Wow. The way she moves reminds me of a bird taking flight, very abruptly like she's in a sort of exile. Almost like she'd never been aware that she had the capability to do so until she broke free. Maybe I'm just really stoned lol... Anyway all I know is Kate Bush is one of the most strangest/ fascinating creatures on this planet.. So extremely wonderful. No one could ever hold a candle to this goddess.

[@chucks1255]

Well I always interpreted that last 2 mins as an Egyptian woman breaking free from the oppression by men,. To me all those facial expression she did symbolizes human expression.

[@leehitchman5648]

Hayden Oran I’m a God(ess) @ Lee marvin hitchman @ INSTA(21❤️)GRAM

[@joaoramalho3879]

I love your interpertation so much, you're right the song is absolutely a build up towards the last 2 minutes of the songs where it finally climaxes, to me like she seems to be fueling herself with the energy of egyptian archetypes almost to the point of feeling overwhelmed by the power and the beauty of becoming herself part of that same archetype (the egyptian men putting her in almost a trance like state) , whereas in the last 2 min full integration of herself and the archetypes take part and there's an astronimicallly powerful release, represented by the sun, she is no longer in mere appreciation of the archetype she IS the archetype.

[@FranceGall4Ever]

Beautifully said. 👏♥️

[@martinmaldonado1498]

There will NEVER be another Kate bush. Her raw and intoxicating talent is otherworldly ❤️

[@jeremiasdrumond7457]

A very emotional song and possibly having to do with someone who was opressed suddenly finding freedom, it's what i felt.

[@aaronxalapa]

+Jeremias Drumond It's about idealization... She said she wrote because a friend of her was obssessed with ancient Egypt and when he went he came back completely dissapointed at the poverty and misery of an old empire...

[@chucks1255]

+aaron bush Can you give me the link of that interview?

[@eamongilligan3262]

@@chucks1255 It's a couple of years late, but I found the link to a webpage that collects a lot of Kate's comments on her music from interview. This page deals with Egypt: gaffa.org/cloud/music/egypt.html For people who don't wish to click on the link the song is mentioned briefly in two interviews: 1. "Egypt'' an attempted audial animation of the romantic and realistic visions of a country. 2. The song is very much about someone who has not gone there thinking about Egypt, going: ``Oh, Egypt! It's so romantic...the pyramids!'' Then in the breaks, there's meant to be the reality of Egypt, the conflict. It's meant to be how blindly we see some things - ``Oh, what a beautiful world,'' you know, when there's shit and sewers all around you.

[@mindtracker955]

This is so avant-garde. Kate is such a talented woman.

[@KaffelnnyVEVO]

EU TE AMO KATE MULHER

[@zack11993]

A masterpiece by Kate Bush.

[@lowlevelretro]

I really love this song, especially full blast at 1xxkm/hr down the highway at 3am with all the windows open.

[@poroto69]

MASTERPIECE

[@Utubesuxmycock]

i love that prog rock ending reminds me of Vitalij Kuprij

[@janewright2800]

Oh my goodness I remember buying this album when it came out 'Never forever' and being even more mind expanded than 'The kick inside' all her music is just sublime!🎶🙏💚

[@maciejszumny6919]

Since I’ve discovered this video (watching the whole 1979 Christmas Special), I am still coming back and watching it. It’s a pure art and it should be displayed in a gallery.

[@jjsmith3302]

Holy... What the... wuzza... canna... imma... Well, thanks, Kate-- you just fried my brain. I love you more for it.

[@glaubertcomine7002]

Incredible song and voice. I admire your intelligence, too. Viva Kate !

[@Heartwing37]

Kate Bush is everything

[@magicovento]

The way she moves... so magic, so beautiful. Definitly a magic creature

[@WoodRatGirl]

Just Brilliant xx Makes me want to visit Egypt some day, even more.

[@jl9998]

fav kate bush video

[@arcadeoutpost]

Classic joint

[@joaoramalho3879]

to me this song is a build up towards the last 2 minutes of the song where it finally climaxes, she seems to be fueling herself with the energy of egyptian archetypes almost to the point of feeling overwhelmed by the power and the beauty of becoming herself part of that same archetype (the egyptian men putting her in almost a trance like state) , whereas in the last 2 min full integration of herself and the archetypes take part and there's an astronimicallly powerful release, represented by the sun, she is no longer in mere appreciation of the archetype she IS the archetype.

[@atkvin]

That's one way to interpret this song and scene, and I imagine you've heard this explanation elsewhere, but according to Kate this song was meant more to explore blind fascination and glorification of exotic places you hear about, and being disillusioned/ignorant of its plights and shortcomings. The lyrics and scenes that exemplify that theme best is 'I cannot stop to comfort them' - followed with cuts of the derelict states of Egyptian towns and its citizens in poverty. Being very uncultured swine I am unsure of the political climate there, but I assume the men clad in black attacking or subduing the fanatic were tying into this theme of disillusionment with the place she was in love with.

[@joaoramalho3879]

@@atkvin It is my interpretation based on what the song and video make me feel like, music and words arranged in melodic narration have a way of communicating things to the listener if one really lets to be taken by it completely. Kind of rude? to assume that I heard it somewhere else when I clearly begin the comment with "To me..." makes me think you're a snob tbh but oh well. Thank you for your comment tho I was already kind of aware of what kate had said but it was interesting to read your contextualization nonetheless :) Although to be honest I still like my version better and because it's mine is more valid to me than Kate's muahaha x

[@atkvin]

@@joaoramalho3879 Yeesh, calm down! You misunderstand, I was saying you might have heard what _I_ was about to explain elsewhere given how old your comment was, and there were other comments under this video already offering that explanation. The beauty of artistic music is subjective interpretation of the listener - I just felt like offering you the context I've heard Kate had written it in mind with because it was so different from your take on it, though that made yours no less valid.

[@joaoramalho3879]

@@atkvin Fair enough I can see now that I misunderstood your tone, and again I thank you for replying and offering me that perspective. To be honest now that I read both my take and your comment about kate's intention they seem to be quite complementary actually after all haha :) Like you said the lyrics and video speak of a 'blind fascination' with the archetypes/glorification of a certain place/culture in spite of the shortcomings of the physical realities dwelling in that environment, in my original comment I was clearly attuned to the part of the character who is disillusioned with a fiery passion for connecting to the things she loves about the place/culture. When, in the video, the images of hard labor, poverty and industrialization confront her idealized perspective there is a clear change in mood, the melody changes, she becomes visually and audibly frantic climbing toward a climax moment when she closes her eyes, perhaps both literally and figuratively in an act of complete denial/rejection, once she opens them again all images are gone, there is a release, she seems to be pleased and energized again, dancing freely under a picturesque orange sun to egyptian inspired instrumental, perhaps invoking back the feelings of infatuation for the place and unapologetically dwelling in its abstractions. There's something truly beautiful and powerful about that and I think that's why some many people comment about getting a sense of freedom through the character/song. If anything the amount of analyzing and dissecting the song and video attract speak to the genius of kate, especially when it comes to conveying such layered and nuanced characters/narratives through song. truly unmatched

[@ExxylcrothEagle]

I wish Tool would cover this.

[@user-jk7lv5kj6h]

I wish Jan Hammer did the keyboard solo on this song... It's still magic.

[@MrRudieJust]

POWER

[@spiritoflights]

Thankyou !

[@eriklauxdrummer]

Awesome

[@djouher887]

This is the pearl of the Nile ! Pourquoi les compositions de Noël sont elles toujours dénigrées ? Ni december will be magic again, ni egypt ne figurent bans les best of . Kate ❤️❤️❤️

[@roboroborangutan]

damn she on one fr

[@WithMyLittleSpoon]

Kate you are soo tutta bella!!!***:):):) I love this song it has such deep seeded memories within my soul that now I know are real:):):)!!!*** "Chin Chin" Chente Anni Salute Ciao:):):)

[@hannalulu_]

🛐

[@brennanbussell2035]

3:19 🤣🤣😂😂

[@occultpriestess]

She's so Timeless and Multidimensional! Is it Possible she's making comments on Muslims vs Ancient Egypt.

[@GrieviousGeorge]

Egyptxploitation

[@ElsjeD]

Too bad the camera isn't placed in the correct position.

[@leehitchman5648]

@ 44 ( comments )

[@adrieldx]

no audio?

[@deisemilhoranza4075]

arebaba

[@elperegrino8544]

Egypt fascination illuminatty

[@studentism]

PRETZEL FARMER

[@andersonmilfont5432]

Katia Peres!kkkkk

[@user-ky8hi7ge8h]

What is this clip from?

[@80sandretrogubbins25]

From her 1979 Christmas Special on the BBC.

[@FranceGall4Ever]

I don't know what this song has to do with Christmas 😂 but it's one of my favourites from Kate. I love Kate's facial expressions here, her outfit, the scarf on her face and the choreography. It's a beautiful and very trippy song. I wonder what 3:02 to 3:13 means. Opression of women in Islamic countries? Any idea?🤔 PS. If this song would be released nowadays, it would be called racist, outrageously controversial, politically incorrect by some snowflakes that get offended by everything.🤦🏻‍♀️ Greetings to every Kate's fan from Poland. I'm sorry for any English mistakes.

[@canaryinacoalmine7267]

You are right in everything you said. I love Poland, too.

[@demondollee]

I think you're missing the point when it comes to political correctness. If anything the true meaning of this song is the opposite of what you've said. Kate herself said this song is basically about people romanticising countries while ignoring the genuine issues and conflict in those countries,, something which so called "snowflakes" would agree with her on. Plus nobody would have a problem with the outfit,, it serves the point she's trying to make. I think you're creating imaginary arguments so you have something to complain about if I'm honest.

[@psicotiquinha]

SO YOU WANNA PLAY WITH MAGIC

[@forestdweller5581]

you hackers may be smart. not 1 % of her talent do you posses. now go look in the mirror.

[@chucks1255]

+John Milkman what you talking about?

[@SupremesVideos]

@@chucks1255 I think he meant _haters_

[@DrDonnyTheBookofYou]

this is powerful, but if the whole point is to show how we "exoticfy" Egypt, then maybe she shouldn't exoticfy herself to make that point....it's powerful, but contradictory and problematic.

[@chucks1255]

Her appearance and movements must intertwine with the music more than what the songs about.

[@lavenderbee3611]

To be honest I really don't understand "Cultural appropriation" -- its been done since the beginning of time. Artists don't appear of nowhere -- they have influences - music or art that excites & inspires. It could be someone/something of their culture or outside of their culture. Why should any artist be limited by that concept, it's really stupid. Look at New Orleans, what a wonderful melting pot of different cultures created the music, culture & food of that area. Even Africa has cross-pollinated with western music, none of contemporary music is pure. As long as it's done out of love, I don't see any problem.

[@furxeldritch5547]

Meu deus era década de 80 vai dormir gente chata

[@bluetraffic100]

The ancient Egyptians were black Africans. Just let that be known.

[@sujatabanerji]

bluetraffic100 Egyptians, then and now, are Arabs.

[@OtherM112594]

Nubians were black. Ancient Egyptians were Coptic and not Arab.

[@1996connor]

We wuz kangz an shiet

[@davidphillips4888]

and ??

[@rabahelaawar2499]

Nope.