Stranger Things has long been a welcome source of 80’s nostalgia for millennials and Gen Xer’s. And while the show gives the older folks the warm fuzzies, it’s also something of a source of cultural education for the Gen Z whippersnappers. The latest source of nostalgia/education is the early 80’s indie classic “Running Up That Hill” from experimental British songstress Kate Bush.
For those unfamiliar, Bush was one of the most popular and successful female recording artists in her native U.K. back in the 80’s. With just as many chart-toppers as award nominations, she was both a critical and popular success despite her style often being avant-garde, experimental, and something like operatic.
Yet she never achieved the same popularity in the U.S. that she experienced in the U.K. Perhaps it was because her work wasn’t straightforward pop like that of her U.S. contemporaries like Madonna that she didn’t hit as big in the states. Nonetheless, for stateside teens of the 1980’s and 1990’s who were savvy audiophiles, Kate Bush often inspired an intense obsession. One of her tunes could likely be found on every mix tape (and eventually burnt CD compilation) made by every art school kid of the era.
And more than likely, the song that made the cut onto those mix tapes was the incomparable “Running Up That Hill” off the 1985 masterpiece Hounds of Love. It’s this song that soundtracks Max’s (Sadie Sink) character arc through multiple episodes of the new season of Stranger Things. Without spoiling anything, it will suffice to say that to help her process a trauma, Max pumps “Running Up That Hill” on repeat on her Walkman. (Relatable. Isn’t playing one song we’re obsessed with on repeat how everyone processes trauma?)
For Kate Bush, U.S. Success Was Worth the Wait
And the 37-year-old song must’ve resonated with young viewers because, thanks to Stranger Things, Bush will see herself hit the highest position on U.S. charts of her career (so far). Upon release of the new season, streaming plays of the track when nuts with a reported 8,000+ percent increase in streaming numbers.
And now not quite two weeks after the release, a combination of 18,300 digital song sales, 17.5 million streams, and 392,000 radio airplays have propelled “Running Up That Hill” to No. 8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, just behind new releases from Harry Styles, Jack Harlow, and Lizzo. In 2022, Bush will achieve something she did not in the 1980’s: A Top 10 Single in the U.S.
It’s welcome recognition in the opinion of Bush fans who have long been singing the songstress’s praises, but it almost didn’t happen. Reportedly, ST star Winona Ryder (and 80’s icon herself) pushed for the song’s inclusion. But Bush is notoriously discerning about what she approves for licensing. But apparently the reclusive artist has always been a low-key ST stan, and the approach from series creators the Duffer brothers was thoughtful and respectful. According to a statement released by Bush’s publicist:
“When the first series came out, friends kept asking us if we’d seen Stranger Things, so we checked it out and really loved it. We’ve watched every series (season) since then, as a family. When they approached us to use ‘Running Up That Hill,’ you could tell that a lot of care had gone into how it was used in the context of the story and I really liked the fact that the song was a positive totem for the character, Max. I’m really impressed by this latest series (season). It’s an epic piece of work–the shows are extremely well put together with great characters and fantastic SFX. It’s very touching that the song has been so warmly received, especially as it’s being driven by the young fans who love the shows. I’m really happy that the Duffer Brothers are getting such positive feedback for their latest creation. They deserve it.”
And Bush deserves all of her new-found success as well. When it comes to getting into Kate Bush, the old adage holds true: Better late than never.
For new fans looking to enter into the avant-pop world of Bush, the album Hounds of Love is a great place to start, including the title track. A good way to ease into that one is the astounding indie-pop cover of the tune from The Futureheads from 2004.
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