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10 Kate Bush Tracks You Should Know

By TJ Bryan
In America, a lot of people know her because she sang with Peter Gabriel on "Don't Give Up." I don't think she ever toured here, but she did get support on alternative radio in the '80s. She's kind of her own genre, and she's influenced a lot of great artists, from OutKast to Bjork. Personally, I weigh influence more than album sales. She deserves to be in. But I didn't vote for her this year.

Congratulations to Kate Bush who was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2023 this week! Needless to say Ms. Bush was overwhelmed by the honor, posting on her website:

“I have to admit I’m completely shocked at the news of being inducted into the Hall of Fame!  It’s something I just never thought would happen. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. It means a great deal that you would think of me. It’s such a huge honour. Now as part of the initiation ceremony I get to find out about the secret handshake… there is one, right?”

I think it’s always tremendous when Classic Alternative acts get their due, so let’s take a look and listen to 10 Kate Bush tracks you should know.

  • Wuthering Heights

    This was the first single from Kate Bush, released in 1978 off her debut album The Kick Inside. She wrote the song at the age of 18 after having seen a BBC adaptation of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.

  • Babooshka

    “Babooshka” was the opening track and first single on Kate’s third album Never For Ever. The song is about a woman who sends love letters to her husband under a pen name. 

  • Hounds of Love

    The title track to Kate’s fifth studio album, which hit number 1 on the UK album charts.

  • Cloudbusting

    Another single selection from Hounds of Love. 

  • Rocket Man

    The 1991 Elton John and Bernie Taupin tribute record Two Rooms was a terrific double album featuring interpretations of Elton/Bernie songs from the likes of Eric Clapton, Jon Bon Jovi, Sting, Hall & Oates and many more, but the first single was Kate Bush’s reggae-tinged version of “Rocket Man.”

  • Love and Anger

    Of her 1989 album The Sensual World, “Love and Anger” features Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, who has been a massive fan of Kate Bush.

     

  • Rubberband Girl

    This was Kate Bush’s return to the scene with new music for the first time in the ’90s (excepting the “Rocket Man” cover).

  • Don't Give Up

    This song appears on Peter Gabriel’s 1986 album So, and interestingly he first intended to duet with Dolly Parton before teaming up with Kate Bush on the song.

  • Why Should I Love You

    This song is absolutely a jam, thanks to a little help from Prince. The Purple One was a fan of Kate’s and suggested the work together sometime. Kate sent this track to Prince asking him to contribute background vocals, and when he sent it back he had completely re-done the song with layers of synths and vocals. It is so good!!

  • Running Up That Hill

    Of course we have to include the song that gained a whole new life last year thanks to its appearance in the Netflix show Stranger Things. Nobody was more surprised and delighted at the song’s new-found success than Kate Bush herself.

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