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Kate Bush — This Woman's Work
Album: The Sensual World
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1176









Released: 1989
Length: 3:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Aha-ooh! Aha-ooh! Aha-ooh!
"You'll have to wait in here."

Pray God you can cope.
I'll stand outside
This woman's work,
This woman's world.
Ooh, it's hard on the man.
Now his part is over.
Now starts the craft of the father.

I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.

I should be crying, but I just can't let it show.
I should be hoping, but I can't stop thinking:
All the things I should have said, but I never said.
All the things we should have done, but we never did.
All the things I should have given, but I didn't.
Oh, darling, make it go,
Make it go away!

Give me these moments back.
Give them back to me.
Give me that little kiss.
Give me your hand.

(I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.)

I should be crying, but I just can't let it show.
I should be hoping, but I can't stop thinking
Of all the things I should have said, but I never said.
All the things we should have done, but we never did.
All the things that you needed from me.
All the things that you wanted for me.
All the things that I should have given, but I didn't.
Oh, darling, make it go away.
Just make it go away now.
Comments (178)add comment
 Edweirdo wrote:

One of her very best songs, and that is a very, very high bar.



Under The Ivy is one of my tops, hits me similar to the way this one does...
Not well known sadly.

Hope they play it here one day.
My father took his life at the age of 28. 
He was an artist, and athlete and an advocate.
He raced cars. and motorbikes and stood up for the little guy.
... but he couldn't stand up to HimSelf. 

These lyrics bring me to tears.
Every. Damn. Time.

Ooh, it's hard on the man.
Now his part is over.
Now starts the craft of the father.

I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.

Oh Kate, love your work, though you break me. 
Sublime..
Goddess of dulcet tones.
9 may go to 10 - I think the video is what gets to me

2 minutes into the song - solid 10. 
Aw shucks. I already rated this at 10, so I can't go any higher. 
I have loved this song since the recording first came out in 1989. I just now decided it might be my very favorite song. Period.
 Baketown wrote:

I always think of the movie,  She's Having a Baby,  when I hear this song. 




Me too!  It's a beautiful song on its own but works absolutely perfect in that one particular montage/scene... 
Out of this world song writing, one of my favorite Kate Bush songs!
First heard it in a movie but forgot the name...
One of her very best songs, and that is a very, very high bar.
She just gets better as the years go by, this is becoming one of my favourites of hers
There is only one Kate Bush.

What a beautiful and brilliant voice.

Love Love Love 


She has got Mona Lisa Look.
This song is inspiration for all
Thank you for giving such a sweet song!
Oh Bill, you ol' wizard you.  Your segue-creating prowess is rockin' an all time high today!

Hot Tuna - Keep on Truckin'
Genesis - The Carpet Crawlers
Kate Bush - This Woman's Work 

{#Cheesygrin}

If I didn't know better, I'd say...  oh. never mind... just keep it up big guy!
 (Banned) wrote:
Too much estrogen.  I guess it's OK if you're a lady or gay...

 
I guess your current nick "(Banned)" says it all...

That said, this isn't one of my favorites, though I don't think it's bad.  I give it a generous 6 from the Boston jury.
 (Banned) wrote:
Too much estrogen.  I guess it's OK if you're a lady or gay...
 
Your comment has too much testosterone. I guess it's OK if you are an utter twat.
 eroz wrote:
I feel the need to announce that I'll be seeing Kate Bush live in September. Life is good!

 
Where ??
So amazed.   Thought I was the only one ,🍀
Such a powerful song.
 eroz wrote:
I feel the need to announce that I'll be seeing Kate Bush live in September. Life is good!

 
Is she staging a reunion with Alvin, Simon, and Theodore?
I feel the need to announce that I'll be seeing Kate Bush live in September. Life is good!
Kate Bush is my favorite Chipmunk.
Right up there at the top of the list of my favourite Kate Bush songs.

A classic! 
Beautiful. That's how to write and perform.

I always think of the movie,  She's Having a Baby,  when I hear this song. 


Whoa - PSD! PSD!
Maybe it's you? You wouldn't happen to have a large truck, barbed wire tattooed most of the way around your bicep, and a lot of Manowar playing on your sound system would you?
I have never been a lady, I wasn't born gay either. But this kind of song is something I can listen to every day.


(Banned) wrote:
Too much estrogen.  I guess it's OK if you're a lady or gay...

 


This is one of those songs which when heard without distraction gets me lost in a world far away from this one. Completely beautiful and very moving. Kate Bush should do more of this.
Too much estrogen.  I guess it's OK if you're a lady or gay...
Not my fav Kate Bush song--and I love her to the blood! Unfortunately I heard Maxwell sing it first and that just didn't, you know... 
 fedtho wrote:
My "parting" album with one of the few artists I've really worshiped... From this one on, I didn't get her anymore.

This is the one song from that album that stayed with me, stil sends chills down my spine, speaks to me like if she knew me and could write and sing the music I need. She gave me so much of that latter kind. Inspired my life.
 

I get the same chill you described. There are very few songs that make me feel like this. Truly a 10 rating.
My "parting" album with one of the few artists I've really worshiped... From this one on, I didn't get her anymore.

This is the one song from that album that stayed with me, stil sends chills down my spine, speaks to me like if she knew me and could write and sing the music I need. She gave me so much of that latter kind. Inspired my life.
Transcendent and gorgeous... I love this track.

I guess it's quite normal that high soprano type singers will divide people... it's quite a particular sound. Personally, I think Kate is incredible.

There's definitely a surface similarity between Kate Bush and Tori Amos... in that they are both sopranos, both primarily pianists and both solo writers/performers/producers who also happen to be women. But beyond the surface, the comparison is largely one made by lazy media figures... they have quite different vocal inflections and compositional styles. I think the comparison persists more than it does with say... two male tenors who play primarily guitar... because there are less artists to make the comparison between... ie, there will be many more well known male guitarists with a similar range than there are female pianists with a similar range. Or at least that seems like a sane theory to me.
a bit of bush is very nice but this one is used on a child cancer charity advert asking for donations with some heart breaking images.

lots of other bush to chose from, can we have a different one to save me from emotional blackmail?  
 gigikent wrote:
is she on helium?! {#Ask}

 
Talking about urban legends: what about some occassional Pavlov's Dog? For nostalgia's sake, albeit?
It wasn't until just now as this was playing in the background that I really understood why people compare Kate Bush and Tori Amos. I totally thought this was a Tori Amos song and was surprised to see it was Kate Bush playing. 
Pure genius! Her music reminds me of my first girlfriend! Sigh!


Sloggydog wrote:
Love a nice Bushy bit

 
Espescially an 80's bushy bit (is there any other kind?!)
 
 Clark_Novato wrote:
pandavision wrote:
RP is quite good, but KB is simply the worst. Sorry... every song. She takes the cake.  It's like fingernails on the chalkboard.
 
Agreed.  The only artist I can recall hearing on RP that has that effect upon me.

 
Gotta say, it's the same for me. The tunes are nice, the lyrics may be awesome, but that sharp voice is painful to my ears.
 krysthal wrote:
Reading some of the comments below, I have no idea why this track brings out so many haters. I suppose you had to have grown up with her in the 80's. Great albums starting in 1978 and through the 80's included: The Kick Inside, Lionheart, Never for Ever (my personal favourite from her early works), The Dreaming and The Hounds of Love and the album this track is from The Sensual World. Kate is a true artist, composing, singing, playing instruments, producing and at times engineering her own work. Brilliant in so many ways.   
 

Well said and well said again!  {#Sunny}
KB is getting better and better for me. Grow up during the -80's..
Reading some of the comments below, I have no idea why this track brings out so many haters. I suppose you had to have grown up with her in the 80's. Great albums starting in 1978 and through the 80's included: The Kick Inside, Lionheart, Never for Ever (my personal favourite from her early works), The Dreaming and The Hounds of Love and the album this track is from The Sensual World. Kate is a true artist, composing, singing, playing instruments, producing and at times engineering her own work. Brilliant in so many ways.   
pandavision wrote:
RP is quite good, but KB is simply the worst. Sorry... every song. She takes the cake.  It's like fingernails on the chalkboard.
 
Agreed.  The only artist I can recall hearing on RP that has that effect upon me.
 gigikent wrote:
is she on helium?! {#Ask}
 
LOL.
Kate Bush seems to inspire bimodal ratings distribution.. love her or hate her!!  I am not sure where to place this song.... 6 for now..
RP is quite good, but KB is simply the worst. Sorry... every song. She takes the cake.  It's like fingernails on the chalkboard.


this is a heartbreaking song, and the delivery is phenomenal. as a woman, i've been right where she sings from. i don't care how cliche it is to say so. it's not something i want to hear often (this song) but boy, it is arresting when you don't expect it.
Love a nice Bushy bit
Pertinent and true. This song in the context of the movie in which it was used was brilliant. One should really see the movie 'She's Having A Baby' with Kevin Bacon. It really truly was an amazing scene. It will change anyone's negative opinion of this song. 
nothing but {#Notworthy}
Kate Bush has always been a polarising kind of artist it seems. Love her, hate her, hard to be indifferent to.

But I've been a fan since the 70's and this song is just about my favourite of hers.

For me, she's peerless.
is she on helium?! {#Ask}
I remember this song.  Most chicks were afraid to sing like this back then.
Could not stand her then and still not.this voice is hurting my ears and i imagine her doiing her ballet moves .yak
Mmmm...used in the movie, "Making A Baby". Powerfully moving song in the context of that scene where it was played.
 michaele wrote:
OMFG! STFU!!
 
3(WAH!) 
 mgilhuly wrote:
I am not usually a Kate Bush fan, but this is great. 
 
Same for me. I could never really get into her music, but when this song came out I really loved it. Still do.
I am not usually a Kate Bush fan, but this is great. 

OMFG! STFU!!
WHammm. this really puts the skids on a great set. Not the way to wrap up  Al Green, Albert King, Bob Marley and Citizen Cope. Who turned off the hot water?
LMAO here too.

 
splooge wrote:


LMAO!
 


 Art_Carnage wrote:
To quote the song's lyrics: "Make it go away".
 
Bump.

 twitterpated wrote:
 ...nasal, post-coital drawl so many female singers utilize these days...
 
Perfect. Think late Norah Jones. And by the way, this song is sublime (even though I am not regularly a Kate Bush fan).


 peter_james_bond wrote:

And yet you've given Bob Dylan and his 'wonderful' voice two 10 ratings!

Of all the things we should've said,
That were never said.
All the things we should've done,
That we never did.
All the things that you needed from me.
All the things that you wanted for me.
All the things that I should've given,
But I didn't.

Oh, darling, make it go away.
Just make it go away now.


Goddess-like -> 10

 

LMAO!
Wonderful song.
 Gatlinburger wrote:

Excuse me, but just using the phrase "post-coital" is an indication that you are more than just a little bit misogynistic. 
  
So any use of the term "post-coital" automatically indicates that its author is "misogynistic"?  I'm not sure how you arrived at such a conclusion, but it seems like a pretty flimsy pretense of psychoanalysis, which is evidenced by the fact that the post you were referring to was written by a woman.
Great song, by the way.


 Gatlinburger wrote:
Excuse me, but just using the phrase "post-coital" is an indication that you are more than just a little bit misogynistic. 
 
I think you may find that "post-coital" and/or "misogynistic" doesn't mean what you think it does.
 fredriley wrote:
Yes, it's her sheer vocal range, as well as the clarity and purity of her voice, that gives me goosepimples. Even when her songs are less than stellar (like a few on her latest double CD) her voice makes up for it.
 
...you need to listen to aerial a couple dozen more times - some of the pieces are extremely subtle, but the songwriting is absolutely brilliant on that album, her best work since the ninth wave... 

each Kate Bush song I hear seems to be worse than the last .... with all the harmonics of construction workers in steel-toed boots crushing Waterford crystal wine glasses under foot...
Even her "average" work is excellent. Now how's 'bout a tour...would love to see her live!

Kate Bush 2 by ~AndyRidae
©2005-2010 ~AndyRidae

Another Kate Bush drawing. An old pic which dates to 1-3-82


 twitterpated wrote:
I think that Kate Bush has a most unique and persuasive voice.  I have grown weary of what I think of as the nasal, post-coital drawl so many female singers utilize these days.  This song is breathtaking.  Sad from the soul and it calls to you for acknowledgement.  Beautiful stuff.

 
Excuse me, but just using the phrase "post-coital" is an indication that you are more than just a little bit misogynistic. 
 twitterpated wrote:
I think that Kate Bush has a most unique and persuasive voice.  I have grown weary of what I think of as the nasal, post-coital drawl so many female singers utilize these days.  This song is breathtaking.  Sad from the soul and it calls to you for acknowledgement.  Beautiful stuff.

 
Yes, it's her sheer vocal range, as well as the clarity and purity of her voice, that gives me goosepimples. Even when her songs are less than stellar (like a few on her latest double CD) her voice makes up for it. For some irrational reason (yeah, oxymoron I know), she always reminds me of Angela Carter, with an earthy and sensual feminism.

Mind you, I could do with never hearing Wuthering Heights again, having been overplayed to death and beyond on all media.

I remember this song - believe it or not- from the movie  "she's having a baby" with Kevin Bacon—- don't ask me how that stuck in my head. beautiful song.
I think that Kate Bush has a most unique and persuasive voice.  I have grown weary of what I think of as the nasal, post-coital drawl so many female singers utilize these days.  This song is breathtaking.  Sad from the soul and it calls to you for acknowledgement.  Beautiful stuff.

 livemuzc wrote:
bla bla bla ...this womans voice grates on my nerves....sorry  and all her songs sound the same
 
And yet you've given Bob Dylan and his 'wonderful' voice two 10 ratings!

Of all the things we should've said,
That were never said.
All the things we should've done,
That we never did.
All the things that you needed from me.
All the things that you wanted for me.
All the things that I should've given,
But I didn't.

Oh, darling, make it go away.
Just make it go away now.


Goddess-like -> 10

Brilliant songwriting, annoying singing and arrangement. I like most of her other stuff, but i like other versions of this one better. (Gotta give her props for writing it, though.)
 peter_james_bond wrote:
Of all the things I should've said,
That I never said.
All the things we should've done,
That we never did.
All the things I should've given,
But I didn't.

Powerful....
 
bla bla bla ...this womans voice grates on my nerves....sorry  and all her songs sound the same
Oddly, I heard the Maxwell cover first. But both are equally amazing.
Of all the things I should've said,
That I never said.
All the things we should've done,
That we never did.
All the things I should've given,
But I didn't.

Powerful....
ZOMG this is my upload!!! {#Clap}

Kate Bush - "Gaelic Song"

"Kate sang this song on an album by the Irish musician Donal Lunny, who played bouzouki on Kate's Night of the Swallow. The song is called "Mná na hÉireann" which translates to "Women of Ireland"."

This song is amazing. That opening always succeeds at making me feel sad and lonely.
 Art_Carnage wrote:
To quote the song's lyrics: "Make it go away".
It would be better for all concerned if you went away, and let those of us gifted with good taste to enjoy Kate's sublime music. 


I think she's brilliant. {#Yes}
To quote the song's lyrics: "Make it go away".
 ick wrote:

 This is the exactly the reason I think that the vomiting emoticon should be eradicated.  Although I suppose one could vomit as an emotional response to something, it seems a little weak to be doing it over an opinion of a song.

 
{#Puke}But Daaaaad, this is what it is for!{#Puke}{#Roflol}
 Rick_V wrote:
Beautiful.
 
{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny} {#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}  
{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny} {#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}
{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny} {#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}
{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny} {#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}
{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny} {#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}    {#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny} {#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}{#Sunny}                                        


 sirdroseph wrote:
{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}
 
 This is the exactly the reason I think that the vomiting emoticon should be eradicated.  Although I suppose one could vomit as an emotional response to something, it seems a little weak to be doing it over an opinion of a song.

{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}
AAAAAAAAAGGHHHHHHH Oh YES   
Also have you heard Maxwell Unplugged version  
Beautiful.
This song makes me want to pull the legs off of spiders.
Divine!
 fran_tarkenton wrote:
Turn this crap off!
 

Hearing and sanity test for fran_tarkenton please
 Jack_Jefferson wrote:

Well placed in the Extras finale with Ricky Gervais.


 

even better used in "She's Having A Baby" (Kevin Bacon/Elizabeth McGovern) - very powerful scene because of the music.
feh
fran_tarkenton wrote:
Turn this crap off!

You poor sod. Yeh - turn it off, sucker: you don't belong on RP!
I agree with PJ Bond : 10.


Used to devastating effect in the late John Hughes' "She's Having a Baby". Nice timing Bill.
 ianmoff wrote:
Beautiful
 
Yes, one of her best ==> 10.

Ahhhh, this song makes me cry. 
Turn this crap off!
Kate Bush reminds me a little of Regina Spektor — or the other way around, actually. Each an acquired taste but worth acquiring, IMHO.

 MsJudi wrote:
Yay, my upload!
 
Thank you x3!
Kate at her finest! Over the years, I have found that it is an exercise in futility to try and convince those who were raised on teen drivel that there are musicians out there who must be really listened to in order to be appreciated. Clearly, Kate is one of these.

Yay, my upload!
 saltysanford wrote:


Oh man did that make me laugh.  I thought you were being smug at first...but then I saw it...misspelled awful...WTF? how do you misspell awful?  Or is this person full of awe for Kate possibly?{#Eek}
 
Hmmm...I believe awful is spelled and used correctly here. Awful can take on either of two meanings depending on the context. In particularly, see senses 1 and 3 in the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awful

For example, it would be perfectly correct to say "Isn't it awful how awful he is of the President?"

Beautiful
 tiggers wrote:


Like Peter Gabriel Kate's work isn't as instantly accessible as most and requires the listener to invest some time and effort before her music is truly appreciated. Put simply it is for the more intelligent listener like those that can spell awful
 

Oh man did that make me laugh.  I thought you were being smug at first...but then I saw it...misspelled awful...WTF? how do you misspell awful?  Or is this person full of awe for Kate possibly?{#Eek}
This too is on the soundtrack from Love & Basketball!
Great music again!
I'm simply in awe with not just her range, but the power in her voice.

She sounds like Florence Foster Jenkins, only not as good.

As Kate says, "Make it go away . . . make it go away . . ."


 nigelr wrote:
Simply stunning, even after 20 odd years.
Tantamount to genius!
 
Still slays me....

Well placed in the Extras finale with Ricky Gervais.


Can never get tired of hearing this song...or Kate Bush for that matter.

 

come please!..... for you the door always is opened Ms. Catherine Bush 

 ** 7 **



ginger wrote:
This is giving me chills right now — even after hearing it a million times!

Me, too. I adore this song (and Kate Bush) {#Hearteyes}
If I'm in the middle of something when this comes on, I can't concentrate on anything else but this song. That's usually a great thing, but unfortunately not so much today. :(
But.....at the same time, I'm loving every second of it. Guess that - for me at least - that's what makes a truly great song.