The Haunting of "Wuthering Heights." Vocal ANALYSIS of Kate Bush's first masterpiece!

[@TheCharismaticVoice]

We just released merchandise! Check out the full line-up here: thecharismaticmerch.com

[@elmerbrane7880]

If you want to hear this done wonderfully then listen to Pat Benatar sing this. It’s a 100 times better done by Pat Benatar

[@rachmann516]

Btw; Elizabeth, she's not singing ". . . my wonderful . . ", it's ". . . my Wuthering, Wuthering, Wuthering Heights . . .". Love your reactions.

[@colinbyne6940]

Charismatic voice Tori is influenced by Kate Bush I think you messed up there You might have been listening to Tori Amos first before you started with Kate This song was recorded and released back in 1978, a decade or two before Tori Amos struck the scene

[@wonderrob3225]

@Captain slow this girl is dumb

[@wonderrob3225]

@@rachmann516 How truly shallow is this internet influenced crooked nosed liitle no one?

[@lossow1]

"I hear lots of Tori Amos influence" - No you don't, you hear Kate Bush influence in Tori who started her recording career well over a decade after after Kate! Kate has some incredible songs that cover (or defy) different genres. From the same album as this song you really should try James And The Cold Gun, The Man With the Child in His Eyes, Moving, Them Heavy People and Strange Phenomena (Perhaps one of the most unusual subject matters for a song!)

[@danielgareau2836]

I made the same correction...but glad you did too. Tori was influenced by Bush and not vice versa.

[@MrHws5mp]

The first time I heard Tori Amos, my immediate reaction was "Ah, so channelling Kate Bush then?". That's no criticism by the way: KB is a very good influence to have.

[@malcolmbrimecome5992]

too right on the Kate bush influence quote but to be fair elizabeth is young

[@danielgareau2836]

@@MrHws5mp I'd use the word "imitating" instead of "channeling". Bush was relevant before Amos...and still relevant now. Not to be mean but in my book Amos is a poor man's Kate Bush at best.

[@steveg7820]

I thought that too but I'm sure she meant it that way round.

[@MissParisina]

I don't think she says ''Wonderful'', I think she says ''Wuthering, Wuthering, Wuthering Heights'' 💜

[@GenX-1980]

Indeed😉

[@EsotericArctos]

Absolutely correct. It is Wuthering :).

[@brianh9358]

As a kid I always thought she was singing about waffles.. lol.

[@ASW-kk7yz]

The song is called Wuthering heights after the book by Emily Brontë...

[@EvilSean62]

@@ASW-kk7yz thers a book ? ...kidding

[@paulelverstone8677]

Kate Bush is nothing less than a national treasure, if you're from the UK. She is so unique, so left-field and so successful with it. A student of theatre, film and dance and it shows in all of her creations. She is a chameleon of the music genre. She fits in regardless of current style or fashion. She is incredible. Man with the child in his eyes was written when she was 14. How can you do that?...

[@HPB1776]

She is a genius, I remember first hearing this when it was released and seeing her on TV. I've always been mesmerised by her uniqueness and bravery for being so out there and different to anyone else. She is a national treasure in the UK, it seems so strange that anyone doesn't know this song. This song always gives me chills. I can just imagine Kate in Haworth, the village that the Brontes lived which is a wonderful place to visit here in Northern England.

[@moow950]

Actually she was 13!

[@BlackAdder665]

German here. I adore her! Always have. I was born in the 70s in the GDR and she lit up my grey existence, widened my horizons and gave me feelings of hope, longing and belonging. Hard to explain. I love her with all my heart.

[@cmcc3721]

Everyone went to school with the daughter of a GP that had that ruffled aura. Caught the attention of one as a 17 year old and refused to answer the phone for the few weeks she chased me. Wtf was i thinking. I swear we are all brain dead at that age haha

[@Andrew-fy9wu]

@@HPB1776 Far from a genius.

[@dethspud]

Kate said in an interview she sang Cathy in a higher register in order to be more ethereal and ghost like. Her music is magical. Great breakdown 😊

[@regperatrovich9406]

Correct.

[@melaniecossey1508]

Exactly. Ghost like, not witchy.

[@lisa.user-xm7kz2tb6x]

​@@melaniecossey1508 yes. Bc...

[@adammckee3496]

You don't hear Tori Amos influence here. You hear Kate Bush influence when listening to Tori.

[@emmyjo720]

This was 1978...Was Tori Amos even born?

[@adammckee3496]

@@emmyjo720 Tori was born in 1963, so for sure, but not recording yet.

[@davevanbeers6944]

While there may be similarities, I don’t think tori is that much influenced by Kate. It’s not fair to both of them.

[@adammckee3496]

@@davevanbeers6944 I was just replying to what she said in the video. Buy let's be honest. Without Kate we wouldn't know who Tori is. Kate opened doors for female singer/songwriters.

[@johannamost4387]

@@adammckee3496 Tori herself has stated as much in many an interview

[@rockandroll63]

I'm more stunned that you managed to live to 2022 without ever hearing this song before, not even on the radio.

[@ganndeber1621]

If you believe her

[@pinds83]

​@@ganndeber1621I'm 40 and I heard this song for the first time in 2023. Why do you think she's lying?

[@ganndeber1621]

She is a professional voice coach, it's her job to hear various kinds of music and this song is unique. I find it very hard to believe she has never heard it before.@@pinds83

[@gregsimmons3323]

It wasn't as big a hit in the US and it's rarely played on the radio in North America today, so it's possible, I guess.... Some of her other "hears for the first time" claims really strain credulity though.....

[@JesperSandgreen]

yh, i´am from 84, and i´ve heard plenty of Kate Bush in the 80s and 90s.. But maybe if she is younger she did´t..

[@SRMNS93]

You should have a lyric sheet for this song. She's not singing 'wonderful', she's singing 'Wuthering, Wuthering, Wuthering Heights' The quality of her voice is just perfect as the voice of the ghost of Cathy haunting Heathcliff. I listened to this for the first time shortly after reading the novel and I was completely shaken. As far as I was concerned, this *was* the ghost of Cathy.

[@hansvandenakker5185]

LOL i am dutch, i thought Kate was singing "waterproof"

[@urhartfabeler]

Kate Bush can have a bit of an accent at times ;-)

[@Basai7]

Thank you. Seems headphones would help discern that distinction...

[@rollomaughfling380]

@@hansvandenakker5185 Hahaha! "Waterproof" would actually be a dream come true on the Yorkshire moors!

[@dmac4793]

Da

[@wernermcgann3792]

You cannot explain genius. I am 73 and have loved Kate Bush since wuthering heights.

[@b62boom1]

I feel kind of jealous that people are hearing the genius of Kate Bush, for the very first time! Her catalogue of work is exceptional, and absolutely unique.

[@helengraves7850]

SAME! Just wait till she gets to "Babushka."

[@bknesheim]

I feel more sad for all the time they could have heard the wonder of all her songs. 🙂

[@LRZRAY]

You really believe she never heard KB? I call BS.

[@bknesheim]

@@LRZRAY Kate Bush is not a famous artist in US, and when you spend your time learning to sing opera at an international level, yes I do think that it was never on her playlist. Even in Norway where Kate is very well know I have met people that haven't a clue.

[@LRZRAY]

@@bknesheim That’s also part of my point. A classical trained singer AND a vocal coach never heard KB. That’s either elitist or ignorant…but most likely just bs to make a “spontaneous” “oh my gosh guys!” video

[@DuaLeaD]

As a musician and composer myself, there's the time in your career BEFORE you discovered Kate Bush and the time AFTER - You will never be the same. She is one of the greatest solo artists of all-time, a musical genius. She wrote her 1978 debut album "The Kick Inside" when she was only 16. It's so far beyond her years, artists can go an entire lifetime and never reach her level of songwriting ability. I was over the moon when "Stranger Things" featured one of her tracks as the centerpiece of the Season 4 finale. She is finally getting the recognition she deserves - One of the most hauntingly beautiful voices I have ever heard!

[@Chuckf66]

Beautifully said! You're correct because everyone's life IS divided into BDK (before discovering Kate) and ADK (after discovering Kate). One of the strangest, yet wonderful, compliments is hearing John Lydon speaking about her. It's bizarre to hear Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols suddenly talking almost reverentially about Kate.

[@Turk2112]

@@Chuckf66 I remember, vaguely, an anecdote where John Lydon was receiving the God-Like Genius Award in a room full of musicians and recoding industry people and he said that there was only one genius in the room - Kate Bush.

[@Hampsonful]

And Kate is just so different from everyone else. She is a genius.

[@billhowell7153]

I'm not a musician or a composer, and I agree 100%.

[@system3008]

I'm confused. The recognition she deserves? What?

[@sierrahp]

A teenage girl so affected by a book written in the 1850s (ish) she composes and performs a musical and visual masterpiece retelling the story 120(ish) years after the book was written. I mean it’s just unbelievable. Without Emily Brontë, we would have this. I’ve never been so in awe of anything in my entire life and I’m old enough to remember this being released. Love you, Kate

[@carlwill981]

This song made me read the story. As I read the book I could hear this song in my head.

[@JPEG0812]

It's also heavily influenced by the 1939 movie adaptation.

[@wonderrob3225]

@@JPEG0812 Why are we listening to this little Talentless girl who is pretending she knows anything other than how to manipulate the yuuutuuube algorithm

[@mjk45]

@@JPEG0812 I remember watching the movie and kept thinking that it needed this song in it.

[@nedhill1242]

It wasn’t the book. She wrote it when she was 16 after watching the original 1935 black-and-white version of Wuthering Heights on the BBC network. And she actually admitted years later she misunderstood parts of the movie. But the song was still accurate.

[@speerchucker64]

For me you can never beat The Man With The Child In His Eyes. Amazing song, beautifully delivered

[@edeledeledel5490]

Agree...

[@STRANGERINMOSCOW1]

And she was only 14 when she wrote it... amazing

[@MW-nr3lg]

She sang it on Saturday Night Live in the 1970's. Apparently it was broadcast from London because she was afraid to fly. My first experience with Kate Bush and loved her ever since.

[@janeslater8004]

I like the oh england my lion heart babooshka. army dreamers and the one about the murder..the lyrics are stunning

[@tgsgardenmaintenance4627]

Kate Bush is a freaking legend, most artists could only dream of having her talent!!

[@Cloxxki]

When Elton John got married, the guest list was the who-s-who of showbizz. Michael Jackson and the likes. And they were all DYING to be introduced to Kate Bush, or at least catch a glimpse. She's the celebrities' celebrity. Only a few thousand people saw her perform live.

[@gvdbproject5966]

@@Cloxxki With her 1979 tour and her last concert series at the Hammersmith Appolo in London in 2014, I am pretty sure we are talking 10s of thousands. 10s of lucky thousands. I was one of the fortunate ones in 79 and in 2014. As someone else wrote here, there is a before and an after hearing Kat Bush the first time. Both the concerts were mindblowing and trailblazing.

[@The_Real_Danger_Mouse]

@@Cloxxki Elton John has, more than once, praised Kate's mastery of the piano. He collaborated with her in 2011 for the song "Snowed In at Wheeler Street" on the LP "50 Words for Snow".

[@linpollitt8950]

​@@CloxxkiI saw her perform live at the London Palladium in 1979. Just her, several dancers and an orchestra. She was amazing. One of my top 3 shows ever. The incomparable Kate Bush ❤

[@ruziezie1152]

Yeah.. That's true

[@mvellis3863]

Kate has a 4 octave voice, and she said on her debut album she wanted to explore her upper register. The album is full of incredible vocal gymnastics as she swoops between her low and high ranges. Most of Kate's songs are character driven (she does very few autobiographical lyrics) and she becomes the characters of her story when she performs. As you observed, she sings this song from the perspective of a ghost who comes back from the grave to haunt her one true love (Heathcliff) and Kate chose to sing it very high to add to its ghostly eeriness. Kate is an iconic artistic genius, and has been a pioneer for women in the music industry for over 4 decades. Kate often records in one-takes. To compare this to her mature voice, I highly recommend that you check out "A Coral Room" (from her 2005 album Aerial) or "Among Angels" (form her 2011 album 50 Words For Snow). Both are predominately just Kate and her piano, and were both recorded in one take (and both absolutely beautiful). She even starts out on the wrong note in "Among Angels." You can hear her stop and say "no," and begin again. Her friends persuaded her to not edit it and keep the mistake in, to add to the emotion.

[@razrv3lc]

I second a listen to A Coral Room. It’s easily one of her most beautiful songs.

[@ab.collage]

Aerial is the one album I would choose to have if I was stranded on a deserted island

[@maxcrown2367]

Aerial is such a great album and a double one at that!

[@jo.s7993]

Your comment is lovely.

[@robertvondarth1730]

@@ab.collage Good choice I think I’d pick The Dreaming

[@terencerayment9335]

You need to remember that Kate Bush is an artist when it comes to theatrical dance and the combination between her vocals and dance make this song such an enduring classic. She knows her shit.

[@whattiler5102]

Pleaser don't use words like "shit" when referring to the blessed 'Kate'!

[@kenoliver8913]

Indeed. I do prefer the more spontaneous interpretive dance she did outdoors in the other take on this you can find on KZbin. I think that, at least at this stage, Kate was more a dancer than a singer. The whole point of the performance is not just the vocals - it is the way the dance, the experimental vocal technique, the shifting harmony and the lyrics work together as a package. It is genuinely moving. Still.

[@josbruls]

@@whattiler5102 That's a proverb.

[@ColbyAzimuth]

WUTHERING HEIGHTS, by Kate Bush (lyrics+NOTES): Out on the wily, windy moors We'd roll and fall in green You had a temper like my jealousy Too hot, too greedy How could you leave me When I needed to possess you? I hated you, I loved you, too Bad dreams in the night They told me I was going to lose the fight Leave behind my wuthering, wuthering Wuthering Heights Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy I've come home, I'm so cold Let me in your window Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy I've come home, I'm so cold Let me in your window Ooh, it gets dark, it gets lonely On the other side from you I pine a lot, I find the lot Falls through without you I'm coming back love Cruel Heathcliff, my one dream My only master Too long I roam in the night I'm coming back to his side, to put it right I'm coming home to wuthering, wuthering Wuthering Heights Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy I've come home, I'm so cold Let me in your window Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy I've come home, I'm so cold Let me in your window Ooh, let me have it Let me grab your soul away Ooh, let me have it Let me grab your soul away You know it's me, Cathy Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy I've come home, I'm so cold Let me in your window Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy I've come home, I'm so cold Let me in your window Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy I've come home, I'm so cold 🤟 7:20 -- It's not "wonderful wonderful" but rather "Leave behind my wuthering, wuthering" 10:44 -- again Bush (born July 30, 1958) wrote the song aged 18, in a few hours late at night on 5 March 1977. She was inspired after seeing the 1967 BBC adaptation of the 1847 novel Wuthering Heights. She subsequently read the book and discovered that she shared her birthday with author Emily Brontë (born July 30, 1818). "Wuthering Heights" is the name of the farmhouse in the novel, and "Wuthering" indicates a wind that is blowing very strongly with a dull roaring sound. The farmhouse was on a barren desolate hill surrounded by green countryside. Kate's interpretive dance may have to do with Cathy's ghost pressing against a window, to be let in, while the wind is blowing and swirling around. The full movie "Wuthering Heights" (2009) with Tom Hardy, is in 11 parts at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6m5oZeEo7xnkLc 🤗

[@Kalkirain]

THANKS!

[@SharTheo]

Wow!

[@bruzote]

You miswrote the lyrics. Apparently, they are "wonderful" heights! 😀

[@abigailfoster2467]

Thank you for the lyrics. It made me appreciate her very unusual phrasing.

[@rufus5667]

Only Kate Bush could make a song about a girl coming back from the grave to steal her former love's soul and have it sound like the sweetest thing ever.

[@jasperdevries1726]

Heathcliff had it coming

[@charlietwotimes]

Kate also wrote "Mother Stands for Comfort" which is sung from the point of view of a serial killer.

[@lemonjapp]

Heathcliff fell for the sweet thing too. She causes all the tragedy by marrying for money then wanting to carry on the relationship with Heathcliff.

[@michaeladkins6]

@@jasperdevries1726 He had it comin.

[@hugedoof]

Kate's performance is based on Merle Oberon's Catherine Earnshaw from the 1939 movie "Wuthering Heights" with Sir Lawrence Olivier as Heathcliff. Kate often used film as inspiration for many of her songs. Realize that Catherine is dead at this point. Kate's movements shown in the video are indicative of a ghost rising up from the grave. To wit, the visitor, who sought refuge at Wuthering Heights during a storm, (at the opening of the movie), encounters Catherine's ghost peering into the window of his bedroom. Watch the 1939 movie, and the whole song, i.e., its lyrics and performance, will make more sense. Catherine was often on the verge of hysteria and emotional breakdown prior to her death (note how Kate Bush bulges her eyes during close-ups, again, paying tribute to Merle Oberon's magnificent performance in conveying Catherine's madness) throughout most of the 1939 rendition. This "hysteria" is wonderfully conveyed in Kate's vocal delivery too. Kate will often tell you that she can sing in tune, but not much more. The 'interpretive" dance moves, with Kate wearing a white dress, especially with the swinging of the hips, are reflective of Catherine and Heathcliff running and playing as children and then as young adults on the moors surrounding Wuthering Heights. You'll note toward the end of the song, that Kate points her finger to infinity when she sings, "it's me Cathy." This is representative of Catherine and Heathcliff's love enduring beyond the grave, despite Catherine's cruelty to Heathcliff (with all those who lived at Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange) casting Healthcliff out because of his orphan status; and then Healthcliff's cruel revenge to all those he encounters at Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange when he returns a self-made and wealthy man. Kate Bush certainly matured in her vocal delivery from the album "Never for Ever" and beyond.

[@simduino]

The most precise and detailed explanation of Kate's interpretation. True genius as she is.

[@andredevilleneuve9071]

I did not know this stuff. Thank you for explaining. Might see this movie of Wuthering Heights of 1939. The book has some sentimental history with me, even before the song of Kate Bush came out.

[@wonderrob3225]

Why are we listening to this little Talentless girl who is pretending she knows anything other than how to manipulate the yuuutuuube algorithm

[@H0neyBunny1981]

I read that her inspiration for the song was based off her watching the last 10 minutes of Wuthering Heights. I watched the film from 1939 in order to have a deeper appreciation of this song.

[@theangrykitten]

I remember when we read Wuthering Heights in honors English class in high school in the mid 80s, and we got to listen to this song in class. I was already a KB fan, but it was still such a treat. When I saw this video on Night Flight, it blew my little Gen X mind…back in the day.

[@jeperstone]

Kate was the 1st female artist (that I'm aware of) that was considered 'weird'. At the time (along with the Bee Gees) she was the butt of every comedian's joke. But she was not deterred. Prior to her female singers were quite 'straight' and 'pretty'. She deserves far more credit than she gets

[@calebmcguigan5612]

Was Arethra not weird? Expected maybe...

[@Rondo2ooo]

Kate Bush got a CBE title for her accomplishments. Enough consideration, I think.

[@Volanne]

Eartha Kitt was considered weird. And what about Lene Lovitch and Siouxie?

[@james_tiberius_kirk73]

I'd argue Laurie Anderson (Oh Superman!) was the 1st Female Artist considered "Out there".

[@eddyl2056]

Wuthering...Wuthering...Wuthering...Heights....

[@LoukuleleLou]

Imagine getting home from school as a teenager, seeing this for the first time on Top of the Pops, and having to wait til the next morning to be able to discuss it with your friends!! Talked about it all day!! This and Bohemian Rhapsody - extraordinary landmarks!! Also the faces on the boys when, if this record came on, all the girls would be singing along!!

[@tomfabozzi5353]

If you’re impressed that she was 19 when this came out, she wrote this and “ The Man with the Child in His Eyes” when she was 14. Oh, and David Gilmour from Pink Floyd helped discover her, and played on her debut album

[@Liggie55821]

I wish "The Man with the Child in His Eyes" were a hit in the US then. I knew her when "Running Up That Hill" charted here in the early '80s, but I didn't know her other songs until I visited London in 1986 and heard that song on my hotel room radio. It stuck with me ever since, and when I flew back home I sought out a cassette of "The Whole Story".

[@eddiegaltek]

If you know the inspiration behind the song you will be more impressed by how young she was.

[@luketimewalker]

ooooh

[@ebk72]

in a time and village with no influence at all, no internet, barrely tv or radio. considering this, she is one of a kind talent and all people involved. also first women with #1 hit, with this kind of music. the whole time was so different from today (not judging).

[@johnsmith-px1sr]

was that gilmour playing solo at the end of this ?

[@slick_slicers]

“I hear lots of Tori Amos influences.” I’m sure you mean, this clearly influenced Tori Amos! When this was number 1, Amos was just 14 years old and wasn’t to achieve worldwide attention for more than a decade.

[@chris-jones]

Came here just to say that. Made me gasp and chuckle all at once!

[@damienyoung751]

Pretty sure she knows that and maybe you misunderstood

[@chris-jones]

@@damienyoung751 pretty sure I didn't.

[@oNtuobAwoH]

@@damienyoung751 cmon man, she clearly said it. she even said she could see this reaching hit status, obviously not realizing it already happened a long time ago.

[@damienyoung751]

@@oNtuobAwoHshe's well aware it's an 80s song and as she has stated is a big tori Amos fan and so knows she is much later.. what she was obviously saying is that she can hear what influenced tori amos.. you're misunderstanding her meaning

[@billearles3183]

As a 19 year old in 1978 I knew this would be a hit from the first few notes, it was so incredibly different from anything I had ever heard.

[@emmyjo720]

I was 5 when this was first out...loved it then and still do..

[@rachelpenny5165]

I was 5, 6 near Christmas on the year this song came out. I loved it then and most of her music that followed. I still love her music.

[@kbtred51]

Tough climate with peak Punk.

[@renejean2523]

I agree. I was 17 and this song caught the attention of me and all my friends. And we were metal/prog rock fans! Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street, which was out at about the same time as I remember, was similar.

[@aldricv]

As a few months old in 1978, the year of my birth, I didn't imagine that a few years later I would love this song so much. I'm 45 today now and nothing has changed. Amazing song

[@wendelynmusic]

All one take and no bleeding auto tune. I was turned onto Kate Bush in the early 80's with the Running up the Hill album while I was studying music in college. I fell instantly in love with her music and her videos. I love the dance and stories she tells and he very unique voice. I truly wish she had taken off in the states like did in the UK, but she only had a couple hits here. She's the best and deserves being discovered again.

[@sandracole2578]

It was reported she said she didn't like flying and wasn't really into performing her music live, preferring to be in the studio. Kate was, and still is, very private and didn't want the exposure (still doesn't) Here in the UK Kate is never in the newspapers and never attends award ceremonies etc. The only time we get any news about her is when she has new music coming out, which is almost as rare as hens teeth now. People didn't know she has a son until he was 18 months old !

[@elizabethgeoghegan5167]

Imagine being 16 yrs old and walking into your local indie record store and hearing Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel when he went solo, all the great bands of the the 2nd British Invasion whether punk, neo romantic, Ska etc. What a time to be alive. Truly a cultural moment. ❤

[@jonathanoneill8011]

Incredible time for music in UK! Must’ve been quite a time to be alive.

[@BryWorYT]

I was and it was.

[@alisonrosen8190]

Kate Bush was actually also married to Peter Gabriel. Two magnificent talents .

[@BryWorYT]

@@alisonrosen8190 No she wasn't.

[@alisonrosen8190]

@@BryWorYT Yes, thanks, You're right! I found out on this forum soon after posting that, when reading another person's post, that what I'd heard going around back in the 80's, that they'd been married, is incorrect. I'dl thought it was true. Glad I now know the facts! 👍

[@Humanpunk77]

She created the songs,dance movements and stage sets for her work. She wasn't just a singer she was accomplished at all aspects of her performance. Very few people would be on her level she had it all.

[@linpollitt8950]

When I saw her she had even designed the programme

[@george474747]

I'd prefer if the analysis treated the music as stand-alone though. Most videos were afterthoughts designed by someone outside the band, not a unified piece as in opera. Kate's videos are interesting, but once again, peak musical moments get laughed over.

[@george474747]

Didn't sense Elizabeth was overly into this song, actually. I think it's an unbelievable song - one of the greatest. There are so many peaking moments where I couldn't have paused. (Guess she is listening for vocals though, & the videos do add a lot.)

[@geroffmilan3328]

Dave Gilmour did us all a huge favour when he persisted in pushing Kate's music. She is a visionary, and so was he for identifying that fact (alongside the small matter of his own band's music, of course).

[@EvilSean62]

i was unaware he did that ... thanks !!! ... also she had a great voice but lacked musical backing ... i woulda gone nuts in wuthering with sweeping violins 1/8 dot delay etc ... take the harpsichord and go nuts with delay and chorus like a pwm... dude i could go all month on the possibilities... as i suspect could you ... theres a website .. "what we would force kat to do for our own indulgences "

[@WarrenBridges-um5cg]

@@EvilSean62 Dave paid for Kate's first recording session, which resulted in "Saxophone Song" and "Man With The Child In His Eyes" as a demo to secure her contract at 16. Later used on the album.

[@keithdunwoody1302]

The stuff of legends. Such a beautiful song, melody, and performance. Incredible! Never tired of it. Her soul shines through.

[@SphericalHang]

With Peter Gabriel's 'Don't give up' you get one of the best and unique male and female voices together in a duet and it's also an amazing song.

[@ali87107]

They were married.

[@JeffreyGoddin]

@@ali87107 What??? Never knew that. Instant cry song for me.

[@zenkevin18]

That song is how I was introduced to Kate and have been a fan ever since..

[@johnpouw3352]

@@ali87107 I don't believe they were married. Peter has had two wives, Jill Moore and Meabh Flynn.

[@GARY6661967]

Tori Amos was married to Kate bush??😮

[@jayjaytee9944]

The Man with the Child in his Eyes is a must listen, she wrote that at the age of 13, more conventional but just as beautiful imo.

[@steveg7820]

I agree. Not one of her best known but one of her best in my view.

[@fredfirth3834]

And such a contrast to the theatrical use of her voice in Wuthering Heights.

[@KarenHobson]

And so deeply emotional! It brings me to tears sometimes.

[@timden5431]

I completely agree. I still love and hear new things in that song even though I’ve heard it again and again.

[@timden5431]

I remember reading an interview with Kate (many years ago) where she was railing against the production of her first albums and the lack of control she had. By the time the Hounds of Love album came out, she was firmly in control of her product and there was a re-release of both Wuthering Heights and Man with the Child in his Eyes with some re-working of the arrangement. I think it was an edition of Keyboard magazine,long since discarded, so i can’t check.

[@goreyfantod5213]

13:03 That, "big whoosh," of air you're describing in her vocal technique is the literal definition of the verb, "wuther," i.e. the sound of the constantly blowing wind on the moors where Heathcliff's house is. It also, not coincidentally, fits well with the whirling movement she makes while singing the repeated word, "wuthering," since the word refers especially to the sound of the wind in a storm. She's illustrating the relentless dull roar of wind with her body. Kate Bush is a genius. P.S. 3:20 Were you maybe thinking of a spinet?

[@nightowl5395]

I do hope Elizabeth read your comment 🙂 👍

[@lightasmr6623]

Oh my f#cking goodness I'VE NEVER noticed it before and you just showed it to me. Kate really does think about every little detail... what a f#cking genius. Pardon my French I'm just really amazed...

[@handrm]

A much better analysis.

[@jM-yx7ii]

it's sad to be ridiculous and not realize it perhaps one day she will cut for ever her page !

[@maetzchenmusik]

Yes, she is mickeymousing here.

[@100PaulRees]

I’m Canadian and saw her in Liverpool when I was 16. I think it was her first tour, and I don’t think she toured much after. But I do take credit for turning all my friends onto Kate Bush when I got home. She is phenomenal ❤️😘

[@robbie007]

The first many of us Brits heard this was when she performed it live on TOTPs 1978 as a 19 Yr old. This came out in the midst of punk and disco. It cannot be said enough that this performance and song was way out there and different to anything at the time. So glad she has had a resurgence of interest. Talented is an understatement

[@jamesbong4928]

Wuthering Heights and Bohemian Rhapsody, two of the most far-out songs of the times, but original masterpieces

[@skye67]

I was for 14 and then forever ever a huge fan!

[@Running-withscissors]

I was a teen in the UK when this was released. It immediately caught everyone's attention. To this day, one of the most unique English speaking songs in tone and structure I have heard.

[@retrorevival1]

Sparks - This Town Aint Big Enough For The Both of Us would be my next pick for fairly unique British acts.

[@InterestedParty]

Babushka caught my teen eye and ear.

[@EvieDoesYouTube]

@@retrorevival1 Sparks is an American group

[@retrorevival1]

@@EvieDoesKZbin sure, but having them live here in London during the 70's, their biggest success here too, I will always count them as one of us, they were often called "the best British band to come out of america"

[@c.w_]

@@retrorevival1 Sparks are American though. But totally British in attitude tho b

[@autumnpendergast9151]

And she was what, 17, when this song was released?! Pure Genius. Listen to her entire back catalog and be blown away by every single syllable. All written by her too.

[@lenworth11]

What an artist Kate Bush is ... I was blown away 50 or so years ago. She finished a London concert with a performance of this, then picked up flowers on the stage before 'going wild with emotion with the audience's ... Like a child, really, with all the emotion .. Made me cry then ... & does still when I revisit a video of that !! Beautifully reviewed btw !!

[@mackeydirk8643]

Kate Bush is an absolute genius.....Amazing

[@cwize]

A couple of things - I don’t think you meant Tori Amos influenced Kate (clearly vice versa), it just came out that way. Also - considering this melody that is all over the place with challenging intervals - this is decades before autotune, kids! And in ONE TAKE. Whether you find the song great or not, there is no denying her immense talent. Her skills in arranging, playing, engineering, producing… just amazing. She had a Fairlight “sampling computer” of her own - those things were prohibitively expensive and non-intuitive to program. Genius.

[@vermilliongecko]

To be fair, her family were well off, so buying musical instruments and paying for music lessons gave her a head start. Also, because she wrote her own material from the start, the royalty cheques came rolling in straight away. But she always took an intelligent interest in music production and the recording process, and ended up building her own studio.

[@vinny142]

@War in the East 2: Tutorials " but the two are quite different. There is no possibility T A influenced Kate Bush." It's more because Kate recorded this in 1978 when Tori was just 15. Tori did not become widely known until the 90's. Both are absolutely excellent artists that are well worth a listen.

[@brandon2559]

Is that the machine that Pink Floyd created? If that's the case it may have been given by Gilmour.

[@cwize]

@@brandon2559 Gilmour used a Fairlight but it was invented by a couple of Australian engineers. There were only about 300 ever made. The first digital sampling computer (well, that went into production).

[@brandon2559]

@@cwize Interesting. I remember reading a story online about Pink Floyd being unhappy with the low quality digital effects of the time so they created some more advanced tech. I recall it saying something about the movie industry acquiring this tech from them.

[@mirjamvond1731]

After she blew up because of Stranger Things, I was very surprised to hear that not that many people in the US had heard of her, because here in Europe everyone (especially over 30) knows who she is and sings along 🙂 This song is my karaoke go to 😁 Ofcourse the choreography is mandatory when singing Wuthering Heights!

[@lotusmaglite]

Before the internet, it was interesting being an American Kate Bush fan, and running into another American Kate Bush fan. A rare and special experience.

[@MrVasaldo]

running up that hill and others amazing song and this voice

[@nickavenoso7851]

@@lotusmaglite Yep. I’m from the US and was introduced to Kate early in her career and it was a shame not to find many Kate fans here then.

[@paolo-n2000]

@Mirjam Von D - Plenty of US fans from the very beginning! Get over your Euro biases...

[@krpurple2678]

@@paolo-n2000 hahaha, I agree. I bought her album in the late 1970s after seeing her on Australian TV

[@davidrowlands441]

This is iconic. I remember when it was released, it was unlike anything that had gone before it, including the video. It changed music. Fabulous song and performance.

[@billy.g3597]

Kate's song " This woman's work " still gives me goosebumps, after all these years. Please, please do a video of this song next.

[@raiskis1]

Me too.

[@tetraquark2402]

Yes it is really really good.

[@jericoba]

110% agree.

[@dave93x]

When they played that in It's Always Sunny it grounded the fuck out of that episode. Totally folded the characters and pulled you away from the whole vibe of the show it was used so well.

[@punundrum1]

This woman’s work brings me to tears more often then not:)

[@erb34]

It's amazing hearing some say "I just recently discovered Kate Bush". It reached No. 1 because of the depth of the English sensitivity to the arts and their education. Kate's contemporaries were Fleetwood Mac and others.. what a supernova of creativity :-D Kate wrote the song when she was 18. She is completely awesome, like David Bowie. What a legend and a great dancer. I was smitten as a teenager.

[@John316OBrian-cm4fj]

I think she just landed from Mars or else she's bull shiting us

[@moosejavian210]

I had watched the original wuthering heights with Oberon and Olivier a year before anyone ever heard of Kate. I was mesmerized by the performance. Even more so when Kate exploded onto the scene a year later with her interpretative dance and song. She stole my heart and soul right from the get go❤‍🔥

[@dagobertkrikelin1587]

People that haven't heard Kate Bush haven't really lived.

[@StevenJBen]

I've been to England. "Sensitivity to the arts and their education" wasn't my experience lol. That must be the nicer part of London.

[@GenX975]

All boys were

[@just_passing_through]

I know I must be twice your age, but it honestly never occurred to me that anyone, especially a professional singer, have not heard of this song. I just assumed it was ubiquitous. I was a kid when this song came out I was instantly drawn to it, as were tens of millions of other people around the world. It was so different at the time. No one of ever heard anything like it, and quite possibly not sense. It still stands on its own all these years later and I’m glad you’ve had the opportunity to enjoy it.

[@kbtred51]

Impossible that anyone listening to music has not heard the classics before teenage. Speaks to the future of TikTok kids.

[@just_passing_through]

@@kbtred51 I think it has a lot to do with the way music is consumed these days. In the days of radio,as your primary source, you were exposed to the top ten as well as older recordings. With streaming services, you just select your songs so you aren’t exposed to anything you don’t specifically select.

[@okibonobo3563]

It’s the best - I adored the book

[@ah-sh9dw]

As someone a similar age to her I can't believe it either. She never left the radio and that Noel Fielding dance is almost as iconic as the song

[@-yeme-]

she pretty much perfectly captures the desperate, spooky, Gothic, repressed, tragic, doomed longing of Bronte's vision, in both her songwriting and performance

[@The_Cyberz]

Kate holds such a special place in my heart. I remember my friend introducing me to her music. He’s since passed away and her music always reminds me of him. She’s such a beautiful artist.

[@BlytheWorld1972]

God bless you and your friend glad she has touched you with her magic ..

[@thorncraft3235]

Kate Bush is playing the part the character she’s singing about, she’s an actress, dancer, singer, songwriter, director choreographer, there is no other Female artist like her & she is massively underrated.

[@jezoye]

I remember my parents mocking this when it was on TV. Both her voice and her performance. At the time it was pretty transgressive I think. The idea of the female auteur, doing her own thing, on her own terms, really riled up a lot of people. And she was so different to anything else that most people got to hear. Maybe not much has changed, but her success was glorious and groundbreaking ♥

[@a5cent]

I think a lot has changed. Nobody bats an eye at women doing their own thing these days. The difference is in the quality of the music and creativity. Most things are streamlined to be financially successful rather than creatively ambitious.

[@HerveBoisde]

Revolutionary music will always turn a lot of people off. She was clearly a prodigy and extremely sure of herself at a young age.

[@Arcadia61]

Don't remember any such resistance to the song or the singer by any of the adults around me.

[@annother3350]

@@Arcadia61 People did mock her craziness a bit but liked her at the same time.

[@tersse]

I'm 62, i remember this on TOTP, it was so diferent, people just liked it, a lot of the stuff on TOTP was getting boring, a breath of fresh air, and she looked good, her album was fanstastic, and i liked her running up that hill single too.

[@tat-q6i9o]

Kate Bush is fantastic, wonderful, legendary. Her Voice is so unique! Born 1970 I am a kid from the 80s and I love her music since this time. I feel thankful and honored to grow up in this in so many ways very special time! This decade was so extraordinary! 🫶🫶🫶

[@karenjones7465]

I think you meant Kate Bush influenced Tori Amos. She influenced so many other artists. Thank you for your videos and vocal awareness. I haven’t listened to this in so long. It is still magical

[@Robbie63]

I'm an old fart. I first heard Kate Bush in 1978, when Wuthering Heights was in the charts. I didn't like it at first. I thought the vocals were weird, but it grew on me and I've been a huge fan ever since. She is a genius and people will be listening to her long after lesser artists are long forgotten. Keep up the good work Elizabeth. I really enjoy your videos.

[@michaelgoetze2103]

Same.

[@60plus01]

I remember I heard it on the radio in April 1978. Throw away everything I had in my hand and rushed to the radio within 15 seconds. Never heard anything like it. Also an old fart made in 63

[@alistairmilton6007]

1978- Great time for music. Such variety.

[@mpark6142]

Everytime I hear "Wuthering Heights" , I remember the first time I heard it 1978. I was 15 yrs old and we were prepairing lunch with my dad. When we heard her voice and the song on the radio, we looked at each other stunned and we both were like "WHAT?!? " . 😍😳❤ Having read the book couple of years earlier, the song really impressed me. I bet many people still remember the effect of this song and Kate Bush.

[@tantetammieswavanski3032]

The first time I heard Kate Bush was when I was 12 and it immediately grabbed my attention. I thought: what the f#ck is this? Insane! Followed by: I love it!!

[@BenZoet]

I was 10 when my father played this for me. I've been in love with the album ever since.

[@mightyV444]

@@BenZoet - So cool! 😊 I was 8 when my then 22-year-old Brother played her 'The Kick Inside' album to the rest of our family, not long after its release, and I remember being rather weirded out by her voice, but also in a _good_ way 😄 She's been my #1 female artist for decades 😊

[@toto.shohemi6139]

It gives me goosebumps reading this comment

[@luketimewalker]

I was 7 and it was Babooshka. One of the very first songs I remember. Thank god I didn't see the video back then because I'd have gone nuts ^^

[@fabrice9252]

I absolutely adore that song by the wonderful, the magnificent and so talented Kate Bush, a marvel and one of my all-time fave song ever (I would say in my personal top ten :-) Think that she was hardly eighteen when she released this...insane! So beautiful, expressive, charimatic and hypnotic! And what a unique fascinating voice! Une merveille absolue! Je vous aime Kate, merci pour votre immense talent! ❤🌹 Wonderful analysis TCV, thanks so much! 🙏👏

[@billacikalin8108]

Do more Kate Bush! As a vocalist yourself, you definitely need to explore her catalogue.

[@jeanproctor3663]

Definitely, 100%! I fully agree with you on this, Bill!

[@yogmesh]

As a teenage lad in the late 70's / early 80's I'm not afraid to admit I had a massive crush for Kate Bush at the time (like many lads of my age). Even now when I hear her music, it always takes me back to a much simpler time.

[@paulmilkman8646]

I was late high school. We were all in love with her, even though she was so advanced and theatrical, it was intimidating...I mean she was hanging with Dave Gilmour...

[@felipe_zanardo]

André Matos, the same singer of "Fairy Tale - Shaman", did his version in the early 90's with the band Angra on the album Angels Cry. (Angra - Wuthering Heights)

up

[@farenheitplus]

That's awesome... I see Dan Vasc also did a cover of the Angra version...

[@edderozzy]

Up

[@leafmarc]

Up

[@marciojosebrambila6950]

up

[@scotsman510]

Kate Bush has more talent in her little finger than many so called artists today..... when you think this lady wrote some amazing songs and music when she was a young teenager.... it's amazing. Listen to This woman's work..... and I dare you not to cry.

[@jdavies1132]

Kate Bush was way ahead of her time , I loved her music in the late 70s and still do today. Two more for you to listen to are Wow and The Man With a Child in His Eyes both are stunning x

[@zababy2760]

Music is never way ahead of its time, music is timeless! No matter the era brother

[@nicksodano4762]

My favorite was The Dreaming. So much depth of feeling and great arrangement. That album is like a dark atmospheric movie, so good.

[@whosucks]

They are wonderful x

[@TONE11111]

No, if Kate was 'ahead of her time' then there would be similar artists approaching her quality (but there aren't) so, the 70s/80s remains 'her time'

[@whosucks]

@@TONE11111 no-one this time will make a song similar to Kate to be honest.

[@nellies]

FINALLY!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!! She's gonna be blown away I can't wait!!! I love Kate so much I can't even describe it with words. She's just out of this world and basically saved my life. Make this a series, all her songs sound so different and she does so many different things with her voice. There's just so much to explore. Edit: Yay you did love it! I was gonna correct you on some things but seems like many people have said what I was going to say. But such a great analysis!

[@garycoates4987]

Truth!! Kate Bush is a genre all her own reinventing herself with every album

[@bjornolofolsson2669]

Calm down, take it easy...

[@syntheticsilkwood2206]

Nellie you're the biggest kate bush fan I've come across I love reading your comments on like EVERY SINGLE Katie related video lol

[@Bassdriver]

@@syntheticsilkwood2206 and that's great! Kate is absolutely phenomenal and she more than deserves fans like Nellie.

[@robertvondarth1730]

Kate is the Prog Goddess

[@iainbratt5866]

This is 1978. Tori Amos is still in high school, and hasn't released anything that Kate would have heard in England. While Ian Bairnson played the guitar at the end, certain feels like David Gilmour inspired.

[@martinohyt]

Not entirely surprising that that feel is there - Gilmour made the initial introduction to the record company and co-produced the album Wuthering Heights is on.

[@elwolf8536]

Yes I often think that

[@spgtenor]

Kate Bush was influenced by classical music but also the progressive music at the time, especially Pink Floyd. Gilmour saw a young prodigy in Kate and wanted to get the ball rolling for her.

[@mrg-macg4357]

@iain Bratt I think the guitar sounds tubelar bells..ish but I guess that is a bit later than Wuthering Heights

[@martinohyt]

@@mrg-macg4357 Tubular Bells was 1973, Wuthering Heights 1978

[@charlesjmouse]

I would suggest Kate Bush is one of those rarest of things - a genuine musical genius. Not the 'typical' musician who might be falsely labelled as such for their undeniable talent combined with years of dedication to their art, but rather someone touched with 'a divine spark' for what of a better phrase. Not to say that she didn't work hard at her music, but the best of what she does comes from that place the rest of us don't have.

[@GraupeLie]

Have you read the book Wuthering Heights? This song is a masterpiece! Perfectly capturing the ghost of Cathy haunting Heathcliff.

[@KGP2010]

I've never read the book, but with now knowing this, the interpretive dance makes so much more sense.

[@sarjenka]

The book is a drag, really.

[@GraupeLie]

@@sarjenka I liked it! Guess that's up to personal taste. There are also people who deem The Silmarillion unreadable, but others, like me, think it's absolutely fantastic...

[@claudiolima8963]

I was reaching for a comment like this. Indeed, to really understand the song, it's necessary have read the book.

[@distantthunder12ck55]

@@KGP2010 The 1939 film for me is a definitive masterpiece.

[@davidhines68]

I think Kate Bush remains such an important influence not just because of her amazing voice and music, but also because she stayed so true to her singular vision.

[@pauldorset2124]

I cannot tell you what a big deal this was in the UK when released. Kate lived in Welling, Kent and was very much a 'local girl.' A fabulous, unique, talent and I agree with others, Man With The Child In His Eyes is worth a listen. Stunning woman, stunning song, still, after all these years.

[@LonesomeTwin]

I was there and concur, but would add that the dancing is pure Pans People 😉

[@commentfreely5443]

it was only #4 decades ago. got to #1 this year.

[@gregorybesnak9138]

For what it's worth, Kate studied mime, movement, and interpretive dance with the great Lindsey Kemp.

[@jamesfleming3394]

Love how ppl now 'discovering' one of the greatest artists the UK has ever had. She is utterly amazing. Talent off the scale.

[@MetteC5]

American ppl discovering, you mean... We Europeans have enjoyed and admired her for many decades. And yes, we're SO happy for Kate!!

[@scottmcneely1927]

She was never all that big here in the States, just because she was a little different, too soft for rock radio and too strange for MOR. I was a fan ever since her appearance on Sat. Night Live in 1978.

[@lotusmaglite]

LOL I get people now like, "Have you ever listened to Kate Bush??" And I'm like, "You mean the artist I recommended to you like 35 years ago? Yeah, welcome to the club. Better late than never."

[@MetteC5]

@@lotusmaglite Like, I doubt a person that's, like, the age you, like, should be to recommend Kate 35 years ago would, like, express her/himself as you do.. Because I'm, like, that age (52 to be precise) and find your choice of words very youthful ;) That being said, I of course agree with the substance.

[@scottmcneely1927]

I just hope she gets in the Rock Hall before he musical descendant, Tori Amos does. But Kate's been nominated twice now, with little voter response. I see a " musical excellence award" in her future.

[@shaunprendergast8900]

She is a stunning performer, her voice is ethereal and haunting, her expressive dances is so hypnotic, and she is a genius to finish her incredible resume, I have adored her for decades, and that will never change. She never released work to please others, what you hear is what she considers perfect, and she is bang on the money.

[@alexdevisscher6784]

The song is from the perspective of a ghost. You picked up a lot of clues about it. Your comparison with moaning Mirthle was spot on.

[@jM-yx7ii]

Also this "the haunted" dont got it !

[@silviaborelli5484]

It always surprises me when young people are surprised by eccentric and weird things from the '70s and' 80s. Those were very exciting times, at least in Europe, where I am from. When we heard Kate Bush back then, we were wowed, not shocked

[@francesprendergast1721]

This song is so moving. So much creativity and talent packed into such a young girl. I love how desperate and ethereal her vocals are on this. There aren't many things that make me feel proud to be British but Kate Bush is one of them.

[@jM-yx7ii]

All her life she was trying something new, and everytime this was a succes !

[@a5cent]

Ha! Kate Bush even makes me feel proud to be British, which is weird because I'm Spanish ;-)

[@lbd-po7cl]

I’m sure you worked it out eventually, but she is of course singing “Wuthering” in the chorus, not “ wonderful” (though it is indeed wonderful!). Kate knew exactly what she was doing, and in everything she does. There are in fact two official videos for this song - this one (white dress) and the “red dress” video. There is also an international “Most Wuthering Heights Day” event where people gather in large crowds dressed as Kate in a red dress and perform a mass synchronized dance to the song in celebration- en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Most_Wuthering_Heights_Day_Ever. Maybe you’ll get to attend one of these yourself one day?😀

[@LolMadeYouLook]

Thank you so much for this info!

[@ourladyofperpetualskepticism]

I will go to one of these one day.

[@meganega123]

that's what one would expect, when the song is called like that

[@CCardew2397]

There are three music video versions of Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights. In addition to Version 1 (in studio with her white/pink dress) and Version 2 (red dress in the woods), there's also a "Gothic" version of it that was filmed at Efteling in the Netherlands, I believe. And I think that amusement park is about to be, or already has been, closed down.

[@purplephoenix4969]

The videos of that event around the world make me so happy. It's just pure joy. Noel Fielding doing the red dress version for charity was brilliant too. Definitely worth looking for it on here. I think it was for Children in Need.

[@demonhoopa]

The song is sung from the perspective of Cathy’s ghost, hence the intentional high ethereal voice. Also she’s 6 years younger than when “Running Up That Hill” came out and her voice was naturally higher. Thanks for another very entertaining analysis. P.S. On the somewhat humorous interpretive dance move: “Wuthering, Wuthering, Wuthering, Wuthering Heights…..”

[@jamesrobert2894]

Hello dear how are you doing You look so familiar are you from Belgium?

[@barbaraanneneale3674]

Thank you so much for this video. I have long been an admirer of Kate Bush's vocals. But I love the analysis that you have given.

[@spender_cgb7372]

Artist is an overused term lately, but Kate Bush is a true artist.

[@juru245]

To get a true sense of how strange & unique Kate bush was, you had to have seen her perform wuthering heights on television in 1978 as a 10 year old! It was like nothing anyone had ever seen or heard before. Like she’d descended from another planet. No one sang or danced like that. It was utterly astounding & mesmerising.

[@TheAnnestube]

Oh, I think she was a bit more than 10 years old at the time😂😂😂😂 You need to get your facts straight there girl.

[@JamesSmith-zk8gl]

@@TheAnnestubeI think @juru245 meant She was ten when she saw it

[@highpath4776]

while I think I travelled with Kate on a 88 bus in south london to westminster (or someone looking very much like her and I didnt speak !) , it was more I think the first time I heard the song on Capital Radio on a dark, cold , winter night while attempting to read for A level mocks in bed about 945 pm , Blown away then turned the radio to radio 4 and got the start of Hitch Hikers guide to the galaxy. quite simply times that could not be repeated.

[@Nikioko]

Wuthering Heights is one of the most unusual songs ever made. And Kate Bush was the first person ever to hit #1 of the British charts with a debut single written on her own.

[@yezzariael965]

And as an female Artist!

[@Deadlytenor21]

I think Kate Bush is a genre of unusual XD. I don't recall any song of hers that isn't lol.

[@rickwilliams967]

If you guys think this is unusual, you should look up Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa, or Tom Waits.

[@Bassdriver]

@@rickwilliams967 Oh, all of them are unique. But the uniqueness of their music doesn't make KB any less unique (or unusual for that matter) ;-)

[@Nikioko]

@@rickwilliams967 I know those. Anyway, this is unusual.

[@stephenogier7499]

I remember this song when it first came out. It was just so different from anything else that was around or that had ever been or that has been since. I was mesmerised by it and fell in love with her singing instantly. It was actually quite divisive as people tended to either love it or hate it, but those with good taste and an open mind loved it. She has made relatively few records and each of them is so different from the others, but her songs are always intelligent and thought provoking. What's not to love? It would be interesting what you make of And Dream of Sheep.

[@pettalwing]

She's surreal! Have loved her for decades. A very private, reclusive person. Her brother Patty was part of her band for years. She also has professional dance training. Do check out other recordings.

[@alisonrosen8190]

Her professional dance training, a lot of classical ballet influence, is evident in her videos. Just beautiful.

[@davidzimmerly4973]

Paddy

[@ericodijk]

I was 12 when this English Fairy suddenly hit the charts. You can not imagine how incredible this was, it was something we never heared before. Pure magic. When I got like seven years older, she was already doing Running Up That Hill and Cloudbusting, and I bought the compilation album The Whole Story. Then I got into her music, bought the first five albums and loved her ever since. Because there is only one Kate Bush. David Gilmour saw it right, this is magical. She not only sings, she writes everything, played piano and later on keyboards and synths, she became a producer. She truly made herself. A little later the world opened for a new group of female vocalists, like Sinead o'Connor, Dalbello, Björk, Tori Amos, etc... By the way, on The Whole Story she took this song and removed her original voice and sang it again, with more technique, depth, a more mature voice... the original young magic was not there anymore but instead you hear how she intended it to be but knew she wasn't yet able to do it at first. It is deeper, superior and equally haunting.

[@debzeb6899]

I was about 11 or 12 when The Kick Inside came out. I won it! It is still my favourite record of all time.

[@DuaLeaD]

15:36 RIP Ian Bairnson (August 3rd, 1953 - April 7th, 2023) One of the most underrated and melodic guitarists ever. His "Wuthering Heights" solo is the icing on the greatest rock outro of all-time. Every phrase is a new melodic variation without any repeats. This is very rare in popular music. He effortlessly married the styles of classical and blues while keeping it all soulful. Someone asked why this solo is so captivating? It perfectly fits the song among the towering strings and Kate Bush's musical genius. Art rock at its finest and a perfect theatrical song to emulate the novel in musical form. In another context, when I hear it, I can imagine Dorothy in the Land of Oz, walking off into the sunset with her newfound friends.

[@SeanCamp]

Ian was amazing! He also played for Pilot, Alan Parsons, Jon Anderson (of Yes), and many others, including RPWL. He was a legend.

[@pearlj66]

Yeah, I’ve always dug that solo at the end.

[@greigclement9081]

There were two music videos made. The other more famous version has Kate Bush dancing outside wearing a vibrant red dress. There is an international Wuthering Heights day where many fans turn up in a red dresses as part of numerous flash mobs and dance along to the song on speakers. I absolutely just LOVE the bass playing in this song.

[@skye67]

I looove that version tooo. That red dress! Iconic

[@waterbearer4627]

Kate is intriguing, mysterious and enigmatic. She resonates on a deeper level. These qualities you don't find in any singer nowadays. I'm not surprised the younger generation are gravitating towards her. She is unique.

[@jackdough8164]

Well said!

[@zweigackroyd7301]

Stylistically totally different, but Janelle Monae is crazy talented and innovative, and certainly not easily categorized. It's not a total wasteland in the music industry, even in the higher echelons of popularity.

[@dust4magnet]

This brings me back to my teens, when this was played on FM radio endlessly. That's 44 years ago! I'm astounded and glad that KB has had a resurgence in popularity. Her ethereal voice has no equal.

[@joycegibbs5267]

incredible to think it was so long ago. Those were such exciting times.

[@yezzariael965]

Kate Bush is one of the most genius componists and songwriters of this time. (My opinion) She did many things first (dancing, singing and performing with headmic on her only tour ever), which are now standard in life performances. It is nice to see, that her incredible talent is catching up to the younger generations. My first album was 1982 "The Dreaming" . If you don't know it - listen. Just listen to all of her albums - every single one is unique. - Wuthering Heights Live Manchester 1979 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnuUpoaBfd5jadU

[@Bassdriver]

The Dreaming is an INCREDIBLE album. It took a lot of guts to put out something so exploratory, unusual and wonderfully weird - and Kate did that and succeded. Love it.

[@manna6618]

Facts. Probably THE best female artist of all time, no stretching of the truth.

[@KarenHobson]

The Dreaming is incredible. Kate has amazing talent and the guts to explore so much

[@ericwhitehead6451]

I'm not a singer nor can I play an instrument, just a big fan of music. That being said, I have always been amazed at how Kate Bush has such control of her voice like no other vocalist I have heard, male or female. A once in a lifetime talant.

[@TheCelticSeer]

Kate has a completely unique vocal style, I find it entrancing, I was 17 when this hit no 1 in the UK. It was so different, right in the middle of Punk Rock taking hold. Combine the Vocals with her beauty and you've got a sure fire hit. For another track I'd recommend "Babooshka" She really is gorgeous in that one, The outfit is unbelievable. I think you are thinking of a Clavichord!! Similar to a Harpsichord

[@luketimewalker]

Babooshka blew my mind. I was 7 years old. And that's WITHOUT the video I just caught up with a few years ago!!!

[@pamharrison8348]

You really need to watch the official video for this song where Kate is outside in a field in a red dress. Mesmerisingly beautiful.

[@johnhughes9976]

Totally agree ,the greatest music video ever made.

[@januzzell8631]

This blew us ALL away when it came out - SO different - still LOVE her - Kate is gorgeous

[@eppuhelle2505]

Kate Bush also spanned a technical revolution, that she is uncredited for. A headset. Commonly known as the "Madonna-mic", was first conceived for Kate Bush for her first tour in 1978, so she could sing, and dance at the same time. That prototype was a wireless guitar transmitter, that were just introduced, a shure sm57 capsule, and a wire coat hanger. Visible on the rare live videos from that era. Madonna-mic? Should be called a Kate Bush-mic. Her songwriting, and vocal capabilites are of course phenomenal as well. An true inspiration.

[@philiprowney]

Kate came at the crux of punk and new wave, she melded the 2 together in the most wonderful, lyrical way. Many of her messages are still being 'rediscovered' today.

[@StephMcAlea]

"Man with a child in his eyes" and "Breathing" broke me as a youngster. Truly haunting.

[@WMFY]

"This woman's work" brings me to tears every time.

[@fredrikstadwhite]

@@WMFY and me, that & ‘Under the Ivy’.

[@markdermody9698]

Excellent choice, though there are also the Eccentric 'Babooshka' or 'Rubberband Girl', 'Hounds Of Love', 'Cloudbusting' or 'Running Up That Hill' which are all incredibly iconic and even haunting tracksin some instances just like 'Wuthering Heights'! She also wrote many many more eclectic yet iconic tracks too such as the most wonderful and oh so beautiful 'The Man With The Child In His Eyes' which was truly outstanding too! She really is a song writing genius in her own right!

[@lovenanger9258]

@@markdermody9698 rubberband girl is severely underrated

[@SubroutineLtd]

Agreed 'Breathing' knocked me for six the first time I heard it then proceeded to do it again every time after - I could not stop playing it for about a month.

[@sbears25]

"It gives you the idea that this voice is capable of a ton of different things" -- Just listen to the entire Dreaming album. She artfully uses all aspects of her voice in astounding ways. It's not her most popular album but for me it is her best.

[@keithlamontdavis8047]

Yes. The Dreaming is a masterpiece.

[@matthewharper8933]

It's interesting she's posting Faith No More video analysis and Kate Bush also right now. Such vocal chameleons, Patton and Bush. Such willingness to experiment, to sound ugly or beautiful, strong or weak, to embody characters and create comedies and dramas.

[@MissLoonasSpeech]

@@matthewharper8933 Makes me wonder if we will ever get a reaction to a song from Sainkho Namtchylak (preferably her album "Naked Spirit" or "Who Stole the Sky") or from Atrox' albums "Contentum" or "Terrestrials", but I guess they are far too unknown/underground for this channel. However, any reaction to a song from "The Dreaming" (still my favourite album by Kate Bush) or "The Ninth Wave" would make me happy. I also wonder if a reaction to "Rocket's Tail" or any of the other five songs Kate performed with The Trio Bulgarka could get Elizabeth interested in eventually checking out The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices (formerly known as Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares).

[@judithweiss6727]

seconded

[@macronencer]

Thank you for studying this so hard and giving us the full benefit of your expert assessments; it was a lot of fun to watch you reacting! I'm always astonished at how young Kate was when she began writing great songs. She was still a teenager when she wrote this, and the piano part, especially the intro and verse, is surprisingly hard to play - the chords keep catching me out (and I'm a pianist myself). I'm sad that I never really paid attention to her work when she started out (I was a little younger than her and was into synths and Gary Numan at the time) - I discovered her properly at a later stage in my life, and was astonished at her incredible talent. She really is unique and extraordinary.

[@markyp1965]

Kate Bush was and still is regarded as a truly unique talent. Would recommend listening to ‘The Man With The Child In His Eyes’, which I think is possibly her most beautiful composition.

[@lisakemp7352]

Love that song

[@TheMarkie6969]

I always think that Kate makes her voice into an instrument, so many layers, the piano trills and fantastic guitar solo just make her music into a whole rather than someone with some fancy lyrics slapping some backing track behind them. Musical genius.

[@stevephale]

Ian Bairnson improvised the outrow solo in one take, he also played on many of the Alan Parson project recordings, sadly he passed away earlier this year. Big loss to guitar players all around the world.

[@paulrollings9606]

Classic song and an iconic artist who is equally as strong today. You can laugh and mock Kate Bush but she is one of the few artists who has withstood time. Even when she releases an album TODAY it goes platinum. This in itself speaks volumes.

[@gablen23]

I only knew her from his duet with Peter Gabriel, "Don't Give Up", but that's a completely different style, it's amazing how he can sing!

[@jo.s7993]

Beautiful song & video! KB sang the backing vocals on Games without Frontiers.

[@MrPaulMorris]

It is astounding in retrospect that Kate produced such a unique product at such a young age. She was also resolute in maintaining artistic control, not just of the music but of the whole package; the dance was as much an integral part of the performance as her voice or the melody. I'm happy to have been around to enjoy this first time around and still have the vinyl single of Wuthering Heights I bought way back in the 70s. Her poster also decorated my locker as a trainee in the Royal Air Force (for those with long memories, the blue leotard poster!).

[@framingfroggy]

please do Cloudbusting!! her voice and everything about that song gives me chills 😻

[@hawkarm6604]

is my favorite song of hers so amazing!!

[@gijzje]

the man with the child in his eyes also

[@taylorragland3556]

Also my fave besides this song haha