I was in my teens when the song hit the airwaves, and I had seen and remembered that ghostly scene from the old film. I listened to the book as part of my ‘reading around classics’ to help with my English GCSE, but it wasn’t till I was 40 that I properly read the book. I found it powerfully, intensely emotional, but dark and slightly depressing (I had a similar reaction to Jane Eyre, so perhaps it is just me!)
I think Kate captured all of that unhealthy passion and devotion in her lyrics and the music Score. She showed a lot of talent in making her musical performances so visual, at a time when video was in its embryonic stage. I didn’t know there was a KB Day, but it is well deserved!
Thanks so much, Posy! I had a really similar reaction to Jane Eyre when I re-read it recently. It was a much darker stranger book than the romance I’d remembered, brilliant but far more complex.
Coincidentally, I was talking about Wuthering Heights with a friend recently, who insisted it wasn't a horror. I have a feeling they only really knew the earnest love side, not the mutual destruction, twisting of children, and other literally and figuratively haunting aspects. Looking forward to the rest of this series - I only know a handful of Kate Bush songs, so it'll be interesting to have a guide through more.
Wuthering Heights (the book) terrified me as a child, especially that scene of the wrist and the broken window. And Kate Bush's version is equally haunting. Very British gothic horror.
It’s much more savage in the book than I was expecting, it’s got this horrifying air of desperation like he’s trying to get a venomous spider off his arm…and it’s the hand of a little girl!
A pleasure to meet you, Dr King! When I was a kid, Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights was a transforming moment. Before I heard it I thought most chart music was samey and dull. Then Wuthering Heights came. Kate wrote what she felt like writing, which was not like the songs anyone else wrote. She sang in her own distinctive and eerie way, full of mystery, drama and deliciously rippling piano (a far superior instrument, to me, than a guitar). She danced it as well, embodying as much of the experience as possible. I watched and listened and I thought, mmmmm yes.
(Not sure if you'll include The Sensual World as it's not spooky, but it is from literature, so who knows?)
Thank you for this series. Am sharing it with my folks!
Lovely to meet you too, Roz! I love your description of Bush's particular brand of magic, and I completely agree. I return to her more than any other songwriter, she's a consummate crafter of story. I love The Sensual World - I don't *think* there will be any songs from that album in this series though there were a couple of contenders. I could have made this list even longer...but I'm sure I'll return to her in the future!
I have to admit, I have not read Wuthering Heights, and aside from that song and “running up the hill” (from Stranger Things), I’m not that familiar with Kate Bush either.
However, I love your writing, so I’m in this for the long haul!💕 happy new year, Rebecca!
"Whistle and I'll Come To You", I agree, is in a class of its own but it's a very slow burn. I wonder how many viewers today would have the focus to stay with it. "Wuthering Heights" had a huge influence over me and my writing when I read it as a teen; not so much for the ghostly elements but for Heathcliff. Driven characters are so compelling.
A few decades back, when I was still excited by the concept of 'interactive' narrative, I wrote a pitch for a computer game based on ghost stories called "The Black Wall" (https://sippog294176.substack.com/p/the-black-wall). I still think it's a good idea but digital technology wasn't up to it at the time it was conceived. Perhaps the coming of quantum computing will finally make such things possible.
I know what you mean, I think on a first viewing the first part feels quite slot, but oddly enough on a rewatch I find every second absolutely petrifying there’s something haunted about even those opening scenes. Love the idea of the game!
I love Kate Bush! And Wuthering Heights. Great essay. Wuthering Heights has always felt like more of a gothic horror than a romance to me. Looking forward to seeing which song comes next. Rather hoping you might tackle Army Dreamers at some point.
Thank you Lou! I don't *think* Army Dreamers will be on the list although arguably it is about the horrors of war. I narrowed it down to ten articles but I could probably have stretched to twenty if I'd wanted to!
I first heard the song when I lived in the UK, back in 1985, I think it was. It's been twenty years - twice! - and I still can't seem to get that song and image out of my head.
I was in my teens when the song hit the airwaves, and I had seen and remembered that ghostly scene from the old film. I listened to the book as part of my ‘reading around classics’ to help with my English GCSE, but it wasn’t till I was 40 that I properly read the book. I found it powerfully, intensely emotional, but dark and slightly depressing (I had a similar reaction to Jane Eyre, so perhaps it is just me!)
I think Kate captured all of that unhealthy passion and devotion in her lyrics and the music Score. She showed a lot of talent in making her musical performances so visual, at a time when video was in its embryonic stage. I didn’t know there was a KB Day, but it is well deserved!
Great article.
Thanks so much, Posy! I had a really similar reaction to Jane Eyre when I re-read it recently. It was a much darker stranger book than the romance I’d remembered, brilliant but far more complex.
I love Kate Bush! Great post! And a really cool idea for a series!
You’re absolutely right about Kate Bush being a great storyteller. She even tells the story through dance in the music video. So evocative.
Btw i think I know what song your teasing for your next post, and all I will say is that I’ll definitely be BACK for more of this series.
SOMEONE GOT IT! Thanks so much Jean-Pierre, I'm glad to have you along for the journey.
Coincidentally, I was talking about Wuthering Heights with a friend recently, who insisted it wasn't a horror. I have a feeling they only really knew the earnest love side, not the mutual destruction, twisting of children, and other literally and figuratively haunting aspects. Looking forward to the rest of this series - I only know a handful of Kate Bush songs, so it'll be interesting to have a guide through more.
Happy new year!
Thanks Mata, I think you're in for a treat she's such a great storyteller. Happy new year!
Wuthering Heights (the book) terrified me as a child, especially that scene of the wrist and the broken window. And Kate Bush's version is equally haunting. Very British gothic horror.
It’s much more savage in the book than I was expecting, it’s got this horrifying air of desperation like he’s trying to get a venomous spider off his arm…and it’s the hand of a little girl!
One of my all time favourite songs and books, thanks for the reminder that I should listen to some Kate Bush today!
Thanks Emma, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
A pleasure to meet you, Dr King! When I was a kid, Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights was a transforming moment. Before I heard it I thought most chart music was samey and dull. Then Wuthering Heights came. Kate wrote what she felt like writing, which was not like the songs anyone else wrote. She sang in her own distinctive and eerie way, full of mystery, drama and deliciously rippling piano (a far superior instrument, to me, than a guitar). She danced it as well, embodying as much of the experience as possible. I watched and listened and I thought, mmmmm yes.
(Not sure if you'll include The Sensual World as it's not spooky, but it is from literature, so who knows?)
Thank you for this series. Am sharing it with my folks!
Lovely to meet you too, Roz! I love your description of Bush's particular brand of magic, and I completely agree. I return to her more than any other songwriter, she's a consummate crafter of story. I love The Sensual World - I don't *think* there will be any songs from that album in this series though there were a couple of contenders. I could have made this list even longer...but I'm sure I'll return to her in the future!
Thanks for joining the curious crew!
What a cool idea for a series of posts! Loved this.
Thanks so much, Molly, great to have you along for the ride.
I have to admit, I have not read Wuthering Heights, and aside from that song and “running up the hill” (from Stranger Things), I’m not that familiar with Kate Bush either.
However, I love your writing, so I’m in this for the long haul!💕 happy new year, Rebecca!
You’re in for a treat! Glad to have you with me for the journey, Sheila
I've always thought of Wuthering Heights as gothic horror, and this reminds me I must re-read it. Love the song too!
It’s such a great story!
"Whistle and I'll Come To You", I agree, is in a class of its own but it's a very slow burn. I wonder how many viewers today would have the focus to stay with it. "Wuthering Heights" had a huge influence over me and my writing when I read it as a teen; not so much for the ghostly elements but for Heathcliff. Driven characters are so compelling.
A few decades back, when I was still excited by the concept of 'interactive' narrative, I wrote a pitch for a computer game based on ghost stories called "The Black Wall" (https://sippog294176.substack.com/p/the-black-wall). I still think it's a good idea but digital technology wasn't up to it at the time it was conceived. Perhaps the coming of quantum computing will finally make such things possible.
I know what you mean, I think on a first viewing the first part feels quite slot, but oddly enough on a rewatch I find every second absolutely petrifying there’s something haunted about even those opening scenes. Love the idea of the game!
I love Kate Bush! And Wuthering Heights. Great essay. Wuthering Heights has always felt like more of a gothic horror than a romance to me. Looking forward to seeing which song comes next. Rather hoping you might tackle Army Dreamers at some point.
Thank you Lou! I don't *think* Army Dreamers will be on the list although arguably it is about the horrors of war. I narrowed it down to ten articles but I could probably have stretched to twenty if I'd wanted to!
Thanks for the ear worm, Rebekah. It's firmly stuck there. 😄
Hehe sorry Hanna!
I first heard the song when I lived in the UK, back in 1985, I think it was. It's been twenty years - twice! - and I still can't seem to get that song and image out of my head.
It’s such a cool central motif for a pop song!