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Kate Bush — Running Up That Hill (live)
Album: Before The Dawn
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2304









Released: 2016
Length: 5:39
Plays (last 30 days): 0
"If I only could, I'd be running up that hill.
If I only could, I'd be running up that hill."

It doesn't hurt me.
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know that it doesn't hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?
You, it's you and me.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh...

You don't want to hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware I'm tearing you asunder.
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.

Is there so much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
You, it's you and me.
It's you and me won't be unhappy.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building,
Say, if I only could, oh...

You,
It's you and me,
It's you and me won't be unhappy.

"C'mon, baby, c'mon darling,
Let me steal this moment from you now.
C'mon, angel, c'mon, c'mon, darling,
Let's exchange the experience, oh..."

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

If I only could
Be running up that hill
With no problems...

"If I only could, I'd be running up that hill.
If I only could, I'd be running up that hill."
Comments (92)add comment
Why no "Wuthering Heights?" 
I like Placebo cover, too
Interesting how that drum beat is so distinctive... it either means "Running Up That Hill" or an Arctic Monkeys song.
 ufamsm wrote:



She didn't get it though. They will stick her on the backburner for 15 years like they did for Rush and most of the other artists who motivated musicians to make music.

She is officially a 2023 inductee. Well deserved, she's one of a kind. 
It's only in the last few years that I realized she is a genius songwriter.
Shame on me.
 Pumpkincat wrote:

I love Kate, but the sound quality is terrible on this album. Every cut sounds muffled. Was this concert in a carboard box?



Poorly placed microphones... 

Bought this by mistake when it came out in 1978. Best mistake I ever made.
Kate Bush just bursts with creativity. One of those musicians who is especially revered by other musicians (always a good thing)  and very modest with it.
I love Kate, but the sound quality is terrible on this album. Every cut sounds muffled. Was this concert in a carboard box?
 On_The_Beach wrote:


Right, you don't get it, and yet you continue to drone on (and on) about it, for 3 consecutive posts now. Please give us all a break and hit the PSD button.


But, But . . .
How else are they supposed to spread misery?
Great Tune!!
Dear folks who were calling this a "dead" piece:

I've heard Stranger Things have come to pass. >;-P
 ne1 wrote:

And a new generation find this gem through Stranger Things.....


As a long time fan this is pretty surreal. I hope the new crowd dig into the rest of her catalogue- they'll be rewarded.
I've been hearing this song everywhere the past week. It's awesome!
And a new generation find this gem through Stranger Things.....
 ZephyrListener wrote:

This horrible song again?  Most of the songs on Radio Paradise are at least alright, except this one, and it seems to be played more than anything else.



So you don't like it?
Stop moaning, just press skip.
One of the best songwriters of all time...
This horrible song again?  Most of the songs on Radio Paradise are at least alright, except this one, and it seems to be played more than anything else.
It's interesting to think of the songwriting process, when Kate got to the end of the stanzas and the bridge.
 
"Hmm, this part here sounds kind of empty.  You know, I think it really needs an "EE-YOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH".
 eamon3 wrote:

I was there in the audience, and although I know it was recorded over many nights, I like to think you can hear me applauding at the end.  



we heard you 
I was there in the audience, and although I know it was recorded over many nights, I like to think you can hear me applauding at the end.  
is the tempo on the recorded version more lively? this seems at least a beat too slow...like she was getting tired during the performance? of running up that hill, perhaps...

Outkast's Big Boi shares his admiration for this song. https://youtu.be/oSdHgq3oBD8

 dwlangham wrote:

If I hear this music after I die, I'll know I woke up in the right place.



If you wake up dead and need to make a deal with God I'd say it's still 50:50
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Yeah, me too.
As far as I know she never toured North America.
Something to do with a fear of flying(?).



2 things - Total fear of Flying...And in an interview she said performing knocks her out. She puts so much in to a show that it is hard to do shows every night.  Economically that is problematic for the entertainment industry...
I don't know why I hated this song in college. Kinda dig it now.
 red3 wrote:

Glad to see her nominated for the Class of 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees. 




She didn't get it though. They will stick her on the backburner for 15 years like they did for Rush and most of the other artists who motivated musicians to make music.
 rlr511 wrote:
what do you think of the new version of this?  can't remember the artist..
 
Artist was Meg Myers. Great cover, but will never top Kate's original.
Glad to see her nominated for the Class of 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees. 
Time goes by and she gets better. And better.
 bruzote wrote:


Au contrair. That is exactly where you hear dead music like this. No connection to passion or emotion. Does this song have a chord here or there that some musical student in conservatory was told is "eclectic" so that must mean the song is good? I don't get it, nor do I really want to. I just want to prevent this song from ever interrupting one of my pleasant moments again.
 
Just notched it up from 9 to 10 in the hopes of making your 'pleasant moments' a
little more miserable. You're welcome, lol
Nice segway
 bruzote wrote:


Au contrair. That is exactly where you hear dead music like this. No connection to passion or emotion. Does this song have a chord here or there that some musical student in conservatory was told is "eclectic" so that must mean the song is good? I don't get it, nor do I really want to. I just want to prevent this song from ever interrupting one of my pleasant moments again.
 

A fascinating post, since the thing that grounds most people to Kate is her intense emotion and connectivity with her work and audience.
 cj1739 wrote:
Saw Kate perform this at Shepherd's Bush, London a few years ago. Magnificent!
 

I thought her Before the Dawn performances were her first in decades?
I ran into this mash-up of Prince & Kate recently - it's really good, both the audio mash and video cut. 
 rlr511 wrote:
what do you think of the new version of this?  can't remember the artist..
 
I like the live guitar - it's a solid version. The vocals are more layered on the original - there's a crazy amount of really interesting harmonies that aren't part of this (but I wouldn't expect them to be). Those vox are what put this song over the top though, so I do miss 'em a bit. 
 cj1739 wrote:
Saw Kate perform this at Shepherd's Bush, London a few years ago. Magnificent!
 
I am intensely jealous! You can feel the love pour out of the recording. 
what do you think of the new version of this?  can't remember the artist..
I've heard this song for the first time as a cover by Placebo and I still prefer their version of the song...
Saw Kate perform this at Shepherd's Bush, London a few years ago. Magnificent!
Happy Birthday Kate! Truly a one of a kind artist.
Sounds like "I believe in the west world" by band Theater of Hate.
8 --> 9
Studio version or live, doesn't matter.  10.
If I hear this music after I die, I'll know I woke up in the right place.
 bruzote wrote:


Au contrair. That is exactly where you hear dead music like this. No connection to passion or emotion. Does this song have a chord here or there that some musical student in conservatory was told is "eclectic" so that must mean the song is good? I don't get it, nor do I really want to. I just want to prevent this song from ever interrupting one of my pleasant moments again.
 

Right, you don't get it, and yet you continue to drone on (and on) about it, for 3 consecutive posts now. Please give us all a break and hit the PSD button.
 westslope wrote:

Kate is a musicians' musician.  

But yes, her work is a bit of an acquired taste.  Do not expect to hear her in elevators and shopping malls.   
 

Au contrair. That is exactly where you hear dead music like this. No connection to passion or emotion. Does this song have a chord here or there that some musical student in conservatory was told is "eclectic" so that must mean the song is good? I don't get it, nor do I really want to. I just want to prevent this song from ever interrupting one of my pleasant moments again.
 Lazarus wrote:
 

Is your room currently vacant?
I have always strongly disliked this song, as much as "Break My Stride". Hate is a strong word, but I hate feeling trapped when those songs are on and the elevator is moving slowly.
wonderful. listening from CAEN (FRANCE).
Recently listened to the entire  3 CD set of Before the Dawn while driving back from the Skeena River.  

Stupendously great.
I just hope there's a cliff at the top of the hill....
 Steely_D wrote:
Loved this tune since the Hounds of Love album - but just found out it's about wanting to "exchange the experience" during sex.

Mind blown.

 
Actually in interviews with her at the time it was released, she said it wasn't about sex, but trading places with a partner to understand the other's point of view in a relationship, to help minimize conflict and misunderstanding.
From me only 4 - Acceptable
 Clyde_Bedow wrote:
Grotesquely grandiose. Great sound without sufficient substance IMO.

As a result, it just seems to go on and on. Too long.
After hearing it a time or two, its a PSD every time for me.

 
That comment is just way out there!
Loved this tune since the Hounds of Love album - but just found out it's about wanting to "exchange the experience" during sex.

Mind blown.
Love this song!  Makes me think of college...
Grotesquely grandiose. Great sound without sufficient substance IMO.

As a result, it just seems to go on and on. Too long.
After hearing it a time or two, its a PSD every time for me.
Not so many artists are able to interpret such a difficult song live so perfectly.
Old but good.  How about playing more like this, ones that aren't so appreciated on here... If you have to play the majority form your own era, that is... 
cruel but also funny 

On_The_Beach wrote:
Pushin' my walker up that hill . . .

 


Is it just me that hears "... our traces/praces/proeces/..." instead of "places" ?
I made a deal with God to hear more Kate Bush and in return, I would be more productive-thank you RP! {#Dancingbanana}send you a donation 
 maxvonevil wrote:

{#Music}This version is so much better than the album (The Whole Story) version, it seems a little more...subdued, for lack of a better word, which IMO suits the song better.



 
Not me. I'd rather the whole thing were over-the-top bombastic with the drums especially. Needs frickin' cannons.
awesomeness times awesome
 strangestairway wrote:
Don't get the fascination with Kate Bush - maybe it's because I really don't get anything out of that specific 80ies sound. It does nothing for me. Only sounds kind of cheap.

 
Kate is a musicians' musician.  

But yes, her work is a bit of an acquired taste.  Do not expect to hear her in elevators and shopping malls.   
I love Kate Bush. It's all just a matter of  what moves you -  which is why music is so cool. 

{#Music}This version is so much better than the album (The Whole Story) version, it seems a little more...subdued, for lack of a better word, which IMO suits the song better.


 easmann wrote:
Thanks for the update Sisyphus. ; )
I would have loved to have seen her live.
 
Yeah, me too.
As far as I know she never toured North America.
Something to do with a fear of flying(?).
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Pushin' my walker up that hill . . .
 
Thanks for the update Sisyphus. ; )
I would have loved to have seen her live.
 strangestairway wrote:
Don't get the fascination with Kate Bush - maybe it's because I really don't get anything out of that specific 80ies sound. It does nothing for me. Only sounds kind of cheap.

 
Although Kate was popular and released music during the 80's, her sound was hardly in the category of what's considered '80's pop', including Running Up That Hill.
Don't get the fascination with Kate Bush - maybe it's because I really don't get anything out of that specific 80ies sound. It does nothing for me. Only sounds kind of cheap.
No surprise that she worked with David Gilmour
 medoras wrote:
Kate Bush and her music is a take it or leave it proposition and I'll take it every time.

Few musicians have shunned commercial success like she does as she continues to stay loyal to her craft.

 
Absolutely !
 BlueHeronDruid wrote:
Effen PSD didn't work.

 
average rating 7.7 sooooooo move on any way {#Chillpill}
Wow. That's good.
 Jeff_Guinn wrote:
I love the studio version.  

The live dynamic just isn't enough to overcome muddy acoustics that overwhelm her astonishing voice.

 
Agreed :) But is it ever a great song!
I love the studio version.  

The live dynamic just isn't enough to overcome muddy acoustics that overwhelm her astonishing voice.
Effen PSD didn't work.
Wow, absolutely stunning in live version.
Pushin' my walker up that hill . . .
It's a great song, however this version leaves much to be desired. Please stop with this live favoritism.
Kate Bush and her music is a take it or leave it proposition and I'll take it every time.

Few musicians have shunned commercial success like she does as she continues to stay loyal to her craft.
This version is too much better :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5wc1R0AQ_M
 
I like the original album immensely, but this sounds like it was recorded through a phone. Sort of the opposite of Wall of Sound.
A true artist... "Before the Dawn was presented as a multi-media performance involving standard rock music performance, dancers, puppets, shadows, maskwork, conceptual staging, 3D animation and an illusionist. Bush spent three days in a flotation tank for filmed scenes that were played during the performance."
BRAVO!

My copy of the live album should be delivered to my doorstep by the time I get home tonight!
Love Kate Bush...
Awesome!! 
Always liked the single - this live version does not disappoint. 
First? Surely not ... 

Hugely disappointed to have missed these events, especially as the potential DVD release was abandoned.  Acclaimed stuff, to be sure.