Why Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” Is a Timeless Synth-Goth Anthem
Kate Bush has always been a fiercely original art-pop icon. But with “Running Up That Hill,” she achieved a new kind of feat. “Running Up That Hill” was a massive Top Ten hit, dominating U.S. radio all over the summer of 2022-even though it was a song she released back in 1985. Her classic synth-goth anthem sounded ahead of its time in the Eighties, but only Kate Bush could make it a song that STILL sounds ahead of its time nearly 40 years later.
In this week’s episode of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs, hosts Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield discuss the long, incredible legacy of Kate Bush and “Running Up That Hill.” They’re joined by their brilliant Rolling Stone colleague Julyssa Lopez, a Kate Bush expert and longtime hardcore fan, to discuss why “Running Up That Hill” speaks to our moment.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and This Week's Song
00:22 The Impact and Resurgence of 'Running Up That Hill'
01:03 Exploring Kate Bush's Unique Artistry
03:26 Personal Connections and the Song's Hypnotic Effect
05:25 Kate Bush's Influence on Music and Culture
05:50 The Timelessness and Universal Appeal of 'Running Up That Hill'
06:40 Comparing Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks
11:57 The Legacy of Kate Bush in Modern Music
18:19 Speculating on Kate Bush's Future in Music
19:41 Guest Segment: Julissa Lopez on Kate Bush
28:17 Closing Thoughts and Podcast Credits
Apple: pod.link/1734617231.apple
Spotify: pod.link/1734617231.spotify
IHeartRadio: pod.link/1734617231.iheartradio
Others: episodes.fm/1734617231
Kate was one of my faves growing up. I remember reading Wuthering Hights right after I heard the song and just going... *WOWOWOWOWOW WOOO* *UNBELIEVABLE!!!*
A Great listen. Really enjoyed it. Kate is a genius. I'm sure she'll have new music for us.
❤
i occasionally have wondered if every strong female music artist becomes something of a gay icon. although I'm not sure if that's because they have some special appeal to gays, or because they are just iconic, they're also a heterosexual icon but that doesn't stand out as much or get remarked on because it's not as exotic as being a gay icon
@gregdahlen4375 You're probably right. Personally, I'm an old school heterosexual metal, prog and hard rock nut. I have no control over who likes her, but I'm totally obsessed, to the point of collecting every piece of vinyl I can get my hands on.
like rob's slightly mussed hair on this episode
Kate Bush is 'synth-goth'? All you had to do was go to a goth online community and ask if her music is considered goth, and you couldn't even bother to do that. Lazy journalism. She did her own thing. Just because the song is theatrical doesn't make it goth. Oh, and by the way goth music with synths is called darkwave. You couldn't even be bothered to look that up.