Kate Bush (1978)

 

"People weren’t even generally aware that I wrote my own songs or played the piano. The media just promoted me as a female body. It’s like I’ve had to prove that I’m an artist entrapped in a female body"

 

I was only 9 years old in 1978 when Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights single came out and hit the number one spot in the music charts.  I was captivated by her, as was the rest of the country.  It seemed that she came from nowhere, appearing fully formed, an original artist that could do all of it.  Singer, writer, dancer and musician.  A Muse had manifested, beautiful, ethereal and magical

Documentaries and biographies will explain away that magic.  Kate grafted for her art.  She focused and committed and put the hours in from an early age.  She met fellow artists who nurtured her with time, allowing her to grow and learn at her own pace, to aim for perfection.

More singles, more albums, more videos followed.

The quality of the writing and musicianship just got better, the voice became more versatile and textured and the idea that Kate was some kind of Goddess never really lessened.

As an adult I remain ensnared by her lyrics and musical compositions.  I wish she produced more material but I also know that if not one more song was forthcoming then she will have already given us so much and of a quality bordering genius.

Do I love the 19 year old in the leotard, as was presented to us by the media all those years ago?   Of course I do, I always have, even when I was too young to know it.  But I also love the spirit and soul that lives in the songs.  I love the strangeness and the uniqueness of the woman, the story telling and the humour that was all there as well, right at the start.

Strange England is enriched and fed by your very being, Kate. - Thank You.


Steve.


And if you've never experienced the pleasure then these are three of my favourites:-