Why Kate Bush’s Viral Success from Stranger Things is Radical
217,155
Published 2022-08-09
So what does “Running Up that Hill” tell us about the history of music royalties? How has Kate Bush been challenging the music industry since the 70s?
Resources:
Switch On Pop. Kate Bush, Stranger Things, and a hit song four decades in the making.
switchedonpop.com/episodes/kate-bush-running-up-th…
Amplified. The Most Unique Female Artist Ever? | Kate Bush Under Review
• The Most Unique Female Artist Ever? |...
Fortune. Kate Bush has now made $2.3 million from her 37-year-old song featured in ‘Stranger Things,’ according to one industry estimate.
fortune.com/2022/07/07/kate-bush-running-up-that-h…
Credits:
Director: Dolly Li
Producer: Tien Nguyen
Consulting Producer: Danielle Bainbridge
Associate Producer: Mia Faske
On-camera appearances by: Julia Holter, Lucy O’Brien, and Nate Sloan
Written by: Dolly Li and Tien Nguyen
Voiceover by: Kiana Taylor
Director of Photography: Brian Inocencio
Gaffer: Seth MacMillan
Sound Mixer: Casey Minatrea
Online Editor: Travis Hatfield
Editor: Eurie Chung
Assistant Editor: Josaen Ronquillo
Motion Graphics: Jonathan Gil, Travis Hatfield
Research Assistant: Kiana Taylor
Makeup Artist: Shannon Trigger
Set Designer: Tori Laxalt
Fact Checker: Yvonne McGreevy
Post-production services & facilities provided by: Flash Cuts
Executive Producer for Flash Cuts: Eurie Chung
Executive Producers for CAAM: Stephen Gong, Donald Young
Supervising Producer for CAAM: Sapana Sakya
Coordinating Producer for CAAM: Czarina Garcia
Executive in Charge for PBS: Maribel Lopez
Director of Programming for PBS: Gabrielle Ewing
Guests:
Julia Holter
Lucy O’Brien
Nate Sloan
All Comments (21)
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I'm just very happy to find out that shes actually winning the money made from this boom of people lsitening to her music. SO glad that she holds the rights to it
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Royalties aside, I'm so happy a new generation is discovering her work. I grew up listening to her, I have many memories tied to her songs, etc. but, beyond that, she's just an outstanding artist. I'm looking forward to this moment being a launching point for a generation to go back in time, and discover new (to them) artists
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I actually said "Oh wow" out loud when they mentioned KB earning a million in royalties over the last month. I mean, I know she's probably not hurting for money, but for an old song, and during a time of such musical drought, that's fucking awesome.
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From what kb said in that clip, the song isn't about gender fluidity in the modern sense, it's about how men and women in relationships struggle to understand each others viewpoint. The song is brilliant as it is, there is no need for that lady to make up some visionary meaning behind it, it is not about gender fluidity
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I'm so glad a new generation is discovering this wonderful artist!
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My first reaction to this development: wow, has it really been 37 years since Hounds of Love came out? Second reaction: I'm so glad a new generation has been introduced to this wonderful music, and that Kate is still around to see it.
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This reminds me of the sudden virality of Gary Jules' Mad World after Donnie Darko (2001) found itself as a cult favorite a few years later, despite bombing at the box office. It hit #1 in the UK Singles Chart for three weeks straight in 2003, and a huge part of its spread was thanks to the music 'streaming' service we had at the time: Napster.
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I don’t think her take on the gender fluidity aspect of the song is what applies so deeply to Stranger Things. I think what really makes that song perfect is Max’s desire to take her brother’s place in death. That’s her deal with God. She feels guilty that he died and she survived.
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I love Kate Bush, what a visionary.
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When Harry Styles refreshed Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain by covering it in his 2nd concert tour season….now every teenager thinks they have discovered the Mac…whilst their parents snicker quietly behind them.
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I remember crying to 'Woman's work' in 1994, it was already an older song. Her music is timeless.
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I’ve heard bits of the song on social media but after learning the meaning, I definitely want to stream and listen to it fully. So powerful 🙌🏽😍
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This song was put on POSE season one with Angels storyline summer of 2019, that’s when it became iconic for me. This new wave and scene from stranger things just amplified it!
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The song's not about "gender fluidity" at all though. It's about the man understanding the woman and the woman understanding the man.
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I thankfully witnessed the release of this song in 1985. Even the dance choreography in the video is mesmerizing. When shortly thereafter she pulled the stunt to feature Donald Sutherland in the video of Cloudbusting, I was just jubilating. Kate Bush is magic.
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I just hope they explore more of Kate Bush's work. It's so rich and varied.
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I was an 18yo metalhead when it was released. Iron Maiden was my world (still is, to be honest), but there was just... something... about Kate's voice and the ethereal composition of the music that hit a completely different part of me
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The beats in Running Up That Hill are very much in tune with current music trends. She was creating a vibe song decades before people realized what vibing is. Definitely ahead of its time
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I thought back then that her composition was futuristic. I think this is the sound we have been searching for to bring with to lead us into a future that is so deeply different from what was. The sound of her harmonies reminds me of the trance inducing sounds labs use.
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I met Julia Holter in 2010 when I was a freshman at SFAI. I filmed their opening set before Linda Perhacs. Super kind and intelligent person!
