This Woman’s Work
As recommended by: Dianne van Dulken, Salamandertome
This song was originally written for the film She’s Having a Baby in which the female character experiences complications while giving birth, and the camera follows the male character as he ponders their relationship, not knowing whether mother and child will survive. “That song never fails to make me cry,” says Dianne van Dulkan, while Salamandertome finds it “hard to maintain my emotional caveman image when listening to that”.
Cloudbusting
As recommended by: Mr Skite, slidenglide
This song, about the very close relationship between psychologist and philosopher Wilhelm Reich and his young son, Peter, told from the point of view of the mature Peter, is described as “an astonishing song on so many levels, with a pioneering video,” by Mr Skite. Slidenglide remarks that “the magic combination of string strokes, Kate’s voice, and the notes she sings add up to pure magic”.
Don’t Give Up
As recommended by: eggstatic, moley75
A duet with Peter Gabriel, who originally wrote this song – a tale of personal struggle that reflected the economic and social ravages of Thatcherism – with Dolly Parton in mind. “Always makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Just a beautiful song,” says eggstatic.
B-sides
As recommended by: timo123, OwenSD, moley75
The quality of Kate’s B-sides in general was noted by a number of readers, the consensus being that they’re better than a lot of A-sides. timo123 had a few personal favourites, including The Empty Bullring, Passing Through Air, Warm and Soothing and Under the Ivy. OwenSD comments that: “One Last Look Around the House Before I Go is a stunning little instrumental piece,” and moley75 adds Lord of the Reedy River, The Handsome Cabin Boy, Burning Bridge and Not This Time as his.
Lionheart
As recommended by: olderiamthelessiknow
This is the album that Kate Bush is on record as saying she likes the least, but her diffucult second album Lionheart is “a top 1 moment” for olderiamthelessiknow. Commonly believed to have been rush-released after the success of Kate’s debut The Kick Inside, it has garnered both plaudits and criticism.
Another Day
As recommended by: CandyAppleRed
One of several collaborations with Peter Gabriel, this slightly odd duet of Roy Harper’s Another Day on her 1979 Christmas Special TV show led to her and Harper performing on each other’s next albums.
Wardrobe malfunction
As recommended by: Silgen
During Kate’s performance of The Wedding List at the Prince’s Trust gig in 1982 she experienced an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. “The look of panic on Pete Townshend’s face is hilarious as first one strap goes then the other. Like a trouper Kate just grabs her top and never misses a note,” notes Silgen.
Kenny Everett interview
As recommended by: whitehorsehill
Contradicting her image as a tortured artist, she sends herself up when Kenny Everett interviews her on his show in 1978 – she is answering out of step with him so it makes no sense. At the end he says: “I’ve been speaking with Kate Bush and she’s been speaking with someone else.”
Experiment IV
As recommended by: careydes
Described by careydes as “excellent” and “ahead of its time” it’s a song about a secret military plan to create a sound that is horrific enough to kill people. Experiment IV is also notable for its haunting violin work, courtesy of Nigel Kennedy. The video was banned from Top of the Pops, and the single only reached Number 23.
Big Sky
As recommended by: ColinKnight, bignosey
This song is about remembering some of the simple pleasures enjoyed as children that most no longer find the time for, such as looking at the sky and watching the clouds take on shapes. “I just whack it up very loud and am taken on a huuuuggge journey,” says bignosey.
