Kate Bush- The Kick Inside (REACTION & REVIEW)

Song Link: • The Kick Inside
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[@craigmartin3827]

JP - lovely watching your reaction to the song as it is playing-it truly is one of the prettiest songs KB has recorded-though clearly when you read what the song was about you seemed genuinely lost for words and wrapped things up pretty quickly. This is my favourite track on the album with that final haunting note fading unresolved, as though the ink is still drying. It's easy to get caught up in the morality of the song, even though incest has been a staple subject in the art world for millennia. But focusing on this misses how KB is ending her album with a tribute to a Celtic folk song, and Celtic culture in general, which becomes an indigenous source of inspiration for her time and again. In the original song, called "Lizie Wan", poor Lizie tells her brother of her pregnancy and he responds by pulling out his sword and killing her. The lyric explains: "And he has drawn forth his good broadsword that hung down by his knee, And he has cutted off Lizie Wan's head and her fair body in three". After the murder the narrator then speaks directly with the brother, asking why there is blood on his sword. The brother says it is from killing his greyhound, but the narrator is unconvinced. The narrator then asks what the brother will do when his father finds out about his crimes. His answer is to sail to a distant land and never return. The final verse says it all: "And when will you return to your own wife again? My son, pray tell unto me." "When the sun and the moon come over yonder hill, And I pray that will never ever be." One can see here that Kate borrows a line directly from the folk song but recontextualises it by giving the line to the woman who, rather than being killed, decides her own fate and leaves the world on her own terms. Her suicide becomes an act of self-agency and even defiance, much like Kate herself is defiantly leaving the final song lingering ... tantalising us and letting us know that this debut album is just the start. With this in mind, it's interesting to me that her follow up album, Lionheart, begins with "Symphony in Blue" in which she affirms "I associate love with red, the colour of my heart when she's dead". It somehow seems like this first song picks up where The Kick Inside left off, but rather than the melancholy longing that ends her debut album, Lionheart begins by bursting with life and positivity so that "my terrible fear of dying no longer plays with me".

[@leslieturner8276]

The traditional folk song is called "The ballad of Lucy Wan" and in it the brother kills his sister, but Kate turned it into a suicide note written by the sister. You are correct the Sun and the moon can never meet on the hill, so she's saying goodbye forever

[@raycornford283]

What did you think 'the kick inside' was, if not an unborn child? Like most reviewers, you seem somewhat embarrassed by the subject matter, instead of marvelling at the bravery of a 19 y.o. composer and singer. The pathos of this song is breathtaking in its simplicity and beauty.

[@jerkedevries]

Indeed it’s remarkable for such a young person.

[@Ozymandi_as]

@@jerkedevries I think it's a remarkable song, period. Most songwriters wouldn't go there, and they'd probably make a mess of they tried. The fact she wrote it at 17, that's even more remarkable!

[@jerkedevries]

@@Ozymandi_as agree. And… on every next album she sings about things that are brave or far from common

[@Ozymandi_as]

To be fair, on a first pass of the lyrics I think he did pretty well. Our brains often steer us away from taboo subjects with some kind of autopilot. We just don't go there. When the key turned the latch, it really hit, and it seemed to me - I might be wrong, but - I think he felt quite emotional. He made a joke to get through the moment, as we do, but I didnt read it as embarrassment. It is a surprising subject for a song, and her treatment of it is very sensitive. Who else has written about incest and suicide in the same song? It takes a moment or two to process. However, his reaction was authentic; he didn't re-record the thing to make himself look clever or cool. He doesn't need to. I think he is fine with who he is.

[@haydensox4030]

I thought it was an honest take. I remember the time before the internet when I first heard this and over multiple listens pieced together my own version of what it was about. (A woman who has resigned herself to likely die in childbirth writing a note to her unborn. With a growing suspicion that the child was sired by the woman's father.) So I was not AS shocked to learn its true origin, but still a little flabbergasted, mildly flummoxed. It took a few breaths before I could get back to my initial level of admiration for it.

[@thedarksiderebel]

I think if you look at the lyrics again it is actually quite obvious. But i guess the beauty of it is just how surprising it is; I mean, you have this waifish young girl in the late 70s making her first record-breaking album, and it ends on a track about incest and suicide. It's pretty heartbreaking, i think.

[@Ozymandi_as]

I think the power is in the subtlety. The composition is very beguiling ... and then the penny drops. It's an incredibly skillful and mature piece of songwriting. At 17, she's fully formed. She goes on to develop, of course, but this no piece of juvenilia.

[@lbd-po7cl]

Bless! Such an innocent interpretation to begin with😊. To me it was obvious what the song was about, but then I’m also very familiar with the traditional ballad Lucy Wan, and other similar song, that was Kate’s inspiration here. The song Lucy Wan is itself from the brother’s perspective, and I think it fitting Kate takes the sister’s view in her song. Utterly beautiful and tragic.

[@nellies]

Such a beautiful and heartbreaking song about such a taboo topic. She's always been so brave. Even if the lyrics might make you uncomfortable it's still so beautiful musically and vocally. I really like your interpretation of the lyrics, I prefer thinking of it that way usually lol. Excited for you to do the next album, would be interesting if you did her latest album after her first...it is winter soon so would be fitting.

[@bobholtzmann]

Andrew Powell did the string arrangement for this song, which works well in a restrained style. A couple of years prior at the same studio, EMI / Abbey Road, Andrew did similar string arranging for Al Stewart's song "Year Of The Cat", produced by Alan Parsons.

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Evening Justin. Dave from London at dusk (Night Meets Light). Yes, I agree it's a beautiful song and a real highlight of the album. The fact that it's a suicide note about incest makes me wonder about what happened to the innocence of youth. Young Kate really did have a remarkable imagination, which of course makes this one of the greatest debut albums. P.S. my song ref Night Meets Light is by Dixie Dregs.

[@benoitdesmarais2948]

She ended side one with Wuthering Heights and side two with this. I bought it the day it came out in spring 78 and i never recovered. As for what's next, The Dreaming is THE masterpiece (with Hounds of Love), which doesn't mean there aren't great things on all her other albums, though Kate herself was very dissatisfied with Lionheart which was rushed by the record company, and she herself wasn't involved in the production the way she would have liked to - and she made sure that never happened again. Overall, i still rank Lionheart above The Red Shoes or 50 Words For Snow, but The Dreaming and Aerial are flying way high above them.

[@brushuk]

lionheart might be my favourite kb album..

[@OronOfMontreal]

"The Dreaming" is my favourite of Kate's albums, too. So wildly inventive and yet sonically honest. The songs are all organically designed, just like those on Peter Gabriel's fourth LP, also from 1982.

[@SIRRUBADUBDUB]

It really does not get better than this - one of my all time faves in music, period 😍😍😍

[@Baru1994]

Would love to see you react to her album The Dreaming! Lionheart would be interesting as well, but The Dreaming was a huge shift in her style of music and is one of my favorites.

[@Ozymandi_as]

Thanks for doing this song. I really enjoyed your reaction.

[@leslieturner8276]

Hi, just a quick heads up, Kate has been nominated for the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame #RockHall2023 and the fan vote is now open

[@JustJP]

More than deserved

[@Cloudbuster.]

I’m really, REALLY hoping for “Aerial” or “50 Words for Snow” next 😍

[@nikolanikolic1366]

Oh Aerial please :D

[@JonseyWales]

CD 2 of Aerial "A Sky Of Honey" is simply outstanding!! How does a human being make music that sublime!?!

[@Cloudbuster.]

@@JonseyWales Ikr!? Best piece of music ever made. Quickly followed by The Ninth Wave

[@lemming9984]

I love both, but Aerial Disc 2 gets my vote

[@Ozymandi_as]

That would obviously be completely the wrong to do. But I soooo know what you mean. We're in a kind of Indian summer of critical appreciation for Kate Bush at the moment, so I shouldn't really complain. But the fkn dimwit bastards never do the later albums! And they are so good. Sorry for my intemperate outburst, of which I am deeply ashamed. But the frustration has been building up for such a long time, so, y'know ...

[@sheldonhowells3083]

A stunningly beautiful song to finish the album, although I wish you hadn't told me what it was about! Given the time of year, my guess is that 50 Words For Snow is the next album on the list?

[@jerkedevries]

I would like that very much

[@ebenhopwil1886]

He's already done Misty from 50 Words. I'm hoping he does Aerial next.

[@jerkedevries]

@@ebenhopwil1886 both would be nice

[@sheldonhowells3083]

@@ebenhopwil1886 Yes, I was aware that Justin had already reacted to Misty, about a year ago. I also love the Aerial album, but I have an idea that he will finish 50 Words first.

[@silgen]

Kate heard a lot of traditional British and Irish folk music from her brothers growing up, This is based on the traditional Scottish murder ballad "The Ballad of Lizzie Wan". I hope it's Aerial next but I'm good with anything. May I suggest before that a couple of interesting one off Kate Bush songs for a different perspective on her: "The Man I Love" Kate teamed up with the great harmonica player Larry Adler and producer George Martin (of the Beatles fame) to cover this George Gershwin classic. It's absolutely gorgeous. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJy8lHdjgM1qbtE Donal Lunny of Planxty played on a few Kate Bush songs over the years and in 1996 he asked her to return the favour for a compilation album of Irish folk songs he was producing. Kate recorded the song Mna na h'éireann (Women of Ireland) for him, having learned how to pronounce the Gaelic words and sing in the traditional Irish manner. This was a tribute to her beloved mother Hannah who was Irish and had just recently died. I may not understand the words but the song is just beautiful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZm5XqeKbciMY6M

[@joebloggs396]

Wuthering Heights for me has a folkish element in the music. The 70s still had a folk renaissance particularly early on and some of that filtered into other music and you could see it now and again in the UK.

[@saturninebear]

One of my favourite tracks of hers. So moving.

[@mcolford]

Such a beautiful closing song. And only Kate tackles such subjects that no one else would dare to do, with such grace, and sadness and beauty. I too am hoping for Aerial next!

[@lewismaddox4132]

Amazing how she always avoids the cliche or any sort of redundant sound. She is so unique even from herself.

[@alistairmcdougall9625]

Fantastic album & what a track to end with, how Kate managed to make an album of this quality as a teenager still baffles me today

[@bradhernandez5823]

Would be a good day for Alice Cooper - Elected

[@albertwallace5060]

Always been my favourite Kate song. Haunting, slightly dark and disturbing, but ever so beautiful.

[@adamx2939]

How about returning to The Church? About 6 months ago you reacted to "Reptile" and liked it a lot...and they haven't been heard again since. "Under The Milky Way" awaits!

[@sphericalharmony1603]

A fantastic first album. I have to confess that I didn't appreciate Kate Bush at the time. Sounds so much better to me now.

[@j.k.1963]

Such a bold song to end ones debutalbum with. I could have expected you to go to the Kate Bush Encyclopedia to find out what went on there. ;)

[@markferrett700]

Two absolute classics to react to are," This Woman's Work" and "Cloud Bursting".....not always fans first choice but amazing very clever songs entirely differing in style. "Breathing" is another gem. Thankyou for reacting to this album......they get better and better. Hey....I've just realised you've already reacted to This Woman's Work....apologies I'm fairly new to your channel 😬

[@Cloudbuster.]

He also already did Cloudbusting and Breathing lol. But I agree they’re masterpieces

[@markferrett700]

@@Cloudbuster. 🤣👍👍

[@dyrkeschaefer]

Great album, IMO. Admittedly, I didn't really get into her music until after I met my wife in 1988. She's been a big fan from the beginning, pretty much.

[@BrianR.]

Looking forward to Lionheart next !

[@jerkedevries]

Thanks for the info. The review was a bit quick I think. By the way incest I knew but the suicide note not. It’s such beautiful music and drama.

[@lemming9984]

This is my favourite track on this album, but I heard Julie Covington's cover before I heard this. I like both equally.

[@parazatico9030]

I didn't know Julie Covington had done a version of this until I read your comment. Just listened to it. Thanks for that!

[@lemming9984]

@@parazatico9030 A great album for the time - all cover versions of great songs. Her version of Only Women Bleed was better than Alice's!

[@parazatico9030]

@@lemming9984 That one I had heard, and yes.

[@byronwoodleymaund1439]

Deep and sad yet emmensely beautiful

[@j.k.1963]

Kate used Greek mythology to underline the content of the story. I like this so much in her approaching her subjects. It just adds so much depth. "Oh, do you know you have the face of a genius?..." Apollo was the great Olympian god of prophecy, music, song, poetry, archery, etc. He is considered the ideal of manly beauty. To be 'Apollonian' is to be serenely high-minded, noble and bright, etc. "I'll send your love to Zeus..." Artemis was the sister of Apollo. They were the twin offspring of Zeus and Leto. "You must lose me like an arrow. Shot into the killer storm..." Apollo and Artemis were two great Olympian Archers. In old mythology, they are often shown equipped with hunting bow and quiver of arrows. "The sun and the moon meet on yon hill... Apollo was god of the sun and Artemis was goddess of the moon. I found this short description on the Internet.

[@karmachochi]

Thanks J.K. for bringing this to the comments section - given that Kate penned this at a tender age, she obviously had remarkable insight into the classics. There's such an other worldly feel to this track, just sublime. In terms of its narrative and pathos, it's extraordinary. I sometimes wonder about what her parents thought about the then teenage prodigy they brought into the world writing such powerfully emotive and passionate songs!

[@kuhnhan]

She might have used Greek Mythology, but it was still a song based on the the story of The Ballad of Lizzie Wan.

[@j.k.1963]

@@kuhnhan as I said, "to underline the story"

[@stoneybass5981]

The Sensual World. Not groundbreaking, but this album really stuck with me. Perhaps it’s more polished than others, and maybe thats why I rate this higher than most.

[@ebenhopwil1886]

He's done The Sensual World. I'm hoping for Aerial.

[@jaybird4093]

How about some Yacht Prog? Brother to Brother by Gino Vannelli (ca. 1978). Great vocals, musicianship, and production. A fun listen! Plus, I think you’d like it.

[@scifimonkey3]

And so to Lionheart…………..PLEASE!

[@bobholtzmann]

It chronologically follows Kate's first album, so we could be going there.

[@ron88303]

Kate could do it all: singer, songwriter, musician, dancer, actress. And she did it with humility and class. (btw, she is same age as Madonna)

[@isobeljames1328]

She's more a producer than an actress and dancer... Can you name a female producer...

[@mandrillion2524]

beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! such a mature song for an 18 yo lady :)

[@robertjewell9727]

I'm guessing and hoping for THE DREAMING.

[@Cloudbuster.]

He already listened to that album on his own and he loved it

[@robertjewell9727]

@@Cloudbuster. oh, dang. Didn't know that. Thanks.

[@Cloudbuster.]

@@robertjewell9727 Haha, no problem. I still hope he’ll upload a full review tho. Such a brillant album

[@jerkedevries]

@@Cloudbuster. Justin was intrigued by the album but didn’t know if he liked it at the time…. Wouldn’t know what he thinks now of the album

[@thedarksiderebel]

@@jerkedevries yeah i remember him saying he didn't like it. I think a re-listen would change his mind. Justin loves metal so i feel like that should give him an instant "in". The angst and experimental nature is why i fell in love with it initially.

[@richardarlotte8964]

Zeus was born of an incestuous relationship hence the reference. Genius was a divine inner spirit which she sees in her brother’s face.

[@stevious7278]

I was a young living life on the wrong side of the tracks - drugs, crime - you get the picture. My musical taste matched. A friend suggested this album to me based on the fact that Kate was discovered by David Gilmour; so I thought I'd give it a go. I bought a copy, took it home, slipped on some headphones and boom; I was transported to a place of gentleness, whimsy and warmth. it is now 2022; my wild years are way behind me; but the album, and this song, still touch me and cause me to sigh deeply with relaxation. Such a standout.

[@isobeljames1328]

He did not discover her, he did a favour to a friend....

[@damienyoung751]

It's a suicide note.. based on the tale of Lucy wen

[@mistraldespair]

Please, please react to Kate's Aerial next! It's one of her most important albums and a fan favorite. Her second album Lionheart is very good but it's not radically different from The Kick Inside. Aerial is completely different from everything you have heard from her.

[@genesmiley9866]

Most of the songs from this album came off much better on the Tour of Life - better arranged and fleshed out. This track though is perfect.

[@TheAlbumReviewchannel]

What a beautiful but strange end to the album

[@HippoYnYrEira]

Now I'm more of a Judie Tzuke kinda guy. "For You" JP., "The Cat is Out" (1985) would be a trifle too Classic80s club pop, however 1979's "Welcome to the Cruise" is a -soul-Prog-MOR- tour de force. This? I reckon it was written For Her...... (Ouch)!

[@robertbagley9199]

Incorrect, she did write it, aged 19 as well.

[@HippoYnYrEira]

@@robertbagley9199 I get a little carried away sometimes with my, lateral thinking. But This world is full of ... confusion! It’s a good tune though. Of course she wrote it, her ample talent is there for all to witness in everything else she did . Was she 16 or 19 when the first album was released? I hear a piercing cold ness in her vocals here at times, stage school processinging that lacks warmth. But I’ll have to listen again! (Joni M ‘s early vocals were too piercing too?) Thanks for letting me expand my thought process. I wasn’t around for the Beatles and i tend to overthink them too!

[@mattking5936]

Your analysis of the lyrics was corrected if you listen back. You just didn't go to.the incest reference ' The Kicking here inside makes me leave you behind'......'your sister I was born'

[@toddleslien1]

MAKE A VIDEO REACT ABOUT , AT FIRST " LIONHEART" AND THEN " THE DREAMING"

[@sicko_the_ew]

In the song *Smut* (which I've just listened to again, and still think it's ridiculous, silly, puerile, and wonderful) they touch on another taboo subject, but the thoughts they offer on this are quite a lot milder, simpler, and more direct - like down to the practical issues of doing the wrong thing to your popcorn in the movies, and the tragedy when it all goes wrong, and then you go home and say, "Oh well, another day". It's by *Skyhooks* , so it's Australian. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaCoaaBqo7mkqdk (Remember, it's the Aussies who are to blame for this.)

[@sicko_the_ew]

Smut is probably an inappropriate-able (no way spellchecker, that's wrong, where's the damn red line?) ... a so-called inappropriate-able ... réponse. It was just stuck in my head because of all the shame, humiliation and so on. I can offer you a troubadour love song, though. That's a bit closer. Just adultery, not incest (or the gods, as I see in these comments), but that's always how a tale of courtly love goes. The knight loves the lady, but the lady is married. Doesn't stop her from entertaining herself by leading him on, so as to get him to joust in a more amusing and entertaining manner. (At least it's not the song of Roland, with all the details of how the mighty stroke of the sword split both rider and horse in half, etc.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpyUiGVorq1_gLM

[@sicko_the_ew]

I've mentioned the song one time too many already, but in *Nurses Whispering Verses* Tim sings "Oh well, another day" at some point. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpq5gHh-fq2osLc (I forget why that might matter at all.)

[@latheofheaven1017]

You seemed simultaneously shocked and almost tearful JP. It's a hell of a song isn't it?

[@OronOfMontreal]

Such taboo subject matter and she was just a young girl when she wrote it it. Kate Bush was the definition of precocious.

[@paulcollins5586]

Emotional and great lyrics.

[@sammelis6777]

Please continue with Bowie!! I'm sure you would love "Low".

[@kenhewitt7357]

Genius, pure poetic and musical genius.

[@albrook1018]

In my time I trisd hard to understand this album n to be honest - I couldn't keeping it useless in my collection. Here are 2 more suggestions for u to examine - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpa5oKmDZb5shtE or kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmapaYp5Zr96rJY Удачи !

[@nomi.hagen.]

Love this song, easily one of my favorite Kate Bush songs. Not into incest btw.

[@pilesovinyl]

I like Kate Bush, but getting a little heavy on her tracks it seems. Just one opinion.

[@altair8598]

Personally I found 50 words extremely disappointing after Aerial, even dull. However the LP package/booklet was very nicely done.

[@isobeljames1328]

I'm happy that she's rich enough to do what she wants....

[@jfergs.3302]

such a nothing tune... this's been a pretty dull ride. And there's already talk of returning to her!?!?, wow. cos it's not like there isn't a zillion other bands out there. and that goes for the others, genesis etc etc as well.

[@a.k.1740]

Yes, nothing remarkable in itself. Indeed, it's a bit disappointing that Justin is already talking about doing another Kate Bush album when he's just finished this one. A little bit of change and fresh air would do us good... ! 😉

[@jfergs.3302]

@@a.k.1740 Indeed... so many artists. It's possible to play a different band every vid, you'd never run out of music. And yet there's this core of a dozen bands or so who are revisited endlessly... the sheer mention of another genesis album, for instance, gives me the screaming abdabs.

[@a.k.1740]

@@jfergs.3302 Yes, it gets boring in the long run because everything revolves around Yes, Genesis, Kate bush, VDDG, JMJ, etc... Of course I'm exaggerating a bit because besides that Justin has done other artists but still, he's focusing a little too much on some at the moment.

[@jfergs.3302]

@@a.k.1740 Aye, there may be some exaggeration in there, but it doesn't feel that way at times. This's the type of thing that drove Chris Adams away, and quite understandably, I get that way myself at times.

[@mistraldespair]

Why are you so bothered that he happens to enjoy Kate Bush lol. He uploads other videos too if Kate is not your cup of tea. Certainly nobody is forcing these reactions on you.