Running Up That Hill

"And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places..."

True stories of what Kate Bush's song Running Up That Hill means to people around the world, from its original release in 1985 to its return to the charts in 2022.

Long distance runner Lee Perry takes himself on a marathon the morning after his mum dies, with Kate Bush in his headphones for all 26 miles of his run.

Musician and record producer Georgia Barnes talks through the making of her synth-pop cover of the song, from the opening drone to the iconic synth line.

Graeme Thomson, author of 'Under the Ivy: The Life and Music of Kate Bush', shares insights into Bush's studio set-up during her making of the Hounds of Love album, and reflects on why Running Up That Hill continues to resonate down the generations.

Songwriter and trans activist Órla Bligh sees the song as an anthem of empathy, and a call-to-action for people to try to understand the experiences of others.

And finally, Astrid Jorgensen, conductor and founder of ‘Pub Choir’, gets 1600 people under one roof to sing Running Up That Hill together.

Producer: Becky Ripley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2022.