In 2022, Kate Bush’s 1985 classic “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” achieved something remarkable: it became a global hit again, 37 years after its original release. The reason was its prominent role in season 4 of Netflix’s Stranger Things.
The Stranger Things effect
In the series, the song is the favourite of Max Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink. In one of the season’s most memorable scenes, the music helps Max escape from the terrifying villain Vecna, and the song becomes a lifeline that pulls her back to safety. The scene struck a chord with viewers around the world, who rushed to stream the track.
The result was extraordinary. The song topped the UK Singles Chart for the first time, reached the top five of the US Billboard Hot 100, and climbed charts in many other countries, introducing Kate Bush to a whole new generation of listeners.
Kate Bush’s reaction
Kate Bush, who rarely gives interviews, said she was astonished by the response, describing it as exciting and quite shocking, and remarking that the whole world seemed to have gone mad for the song. She said it was especially moving that so many young people were discovering the track for the first time.
She also praised the way the series used the song, describing it as a kind of talisman for Max, and reflected on how music can touch people and help them, particularly young people, through difficult times. She thanked fans for their support.
The original release
“Running Up That Hill” was the lead single from Kate Bush’s album Hounds of Love, released in 1985. It was a success at the time, reaching number 3 in the UK and becoming her first single to enter the US top 40. The song is about a relationship in which two people wish they could swap places to truly understand each other.
A lasting legacy
The song’s revival showed the power of television and streaming to give classic music a second life. It also cemented Kate Bush’s reputation as one of the most innovative and influential artists in British music, whose work still feels fresh decades later.
