Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that

I hold the multi-talented Kate Bush in high esteem. Her penchant for experimentation, both musically and lyrically, is one of the reasons I like her as much as I do. Because her lyrical subject matter is quite varied and difficult to keep track of, I have assembled the following list, which I hope will help the next time you wonder whether "Kate Bush wrote a song about that."
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A panic-drenched bank heist? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
"There Goes a Tenner"
 Scooby and Shaggy would have been less paranoid than these villainous characters...


Psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich, his rain-making machine and his problems with the Feds... all told from the perspective of Wilhelm's son? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
"Cloudbusting"
Epic music video.


The effects of nuclear fallout... on a fetus? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
 "Breathing"
This one previously appeared in a similar post of mine:
http://vegetablejam.blogspot.com/2012/09/17-songs-with-bizarre-subject-matter.html



Sharing a romantic dance... with Hitler? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
"Heads We're Dancing"
“They say that the Devil is a charming man…”


Asphyxiating to death... on a moon colony? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
"Stranded at the Moonbase"
 From her early demos. She wrote this song at age 19.


Sex... with a snowman? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
"Misty"
Moral of the Story: sex with a snowman will inevitably lead to disappoinment. Thanks, Kate.


Addictions... to Kraftwerk-isch computer love? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
"Deeper Understanding"
Pity OkCupid wasn't around then... 


A B-movie bride on a murder rampage? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
"The Wedding List"
This is a fine example of Kate's laugh-out-loud hilarious wit. The song was based on the film The Bride Wore Black.


Spying... on a gay Iraqi? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
"Kashka from Baghdad"
 She'd have more of a chance with Rinfy the Gypsy.


A mathematician, I guess, with an irrational love for an irrational number? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
"π"
3.14159 26535 89793 23846 26433 83279 50288 41971 69399 37510 58209 74944 59230 78164 06286 20899 86280 34825 34211 70679 82148 08651 &c. &c. &c.


Ghosts from 19th century romantic novels? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
"Wuthering Heights"
Recent discovery: I can be wooed by those rare souls capable of seamlessly-performing Kate's famous Wuthering Heights dance. Red Dress version? White Dress version? I'm not picky.


London politician Ken Livingstone? Yes, Kate Bush wrote a song about that:
"Ken"
In all fairness, this one was for a satirical television program that, for one episode, depicted Livingstone as an American-style left-wing super-hero, pitted against Tory party baddies.

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