When did Kate Bush release Running Up That Hill and when was it on Stranger Things?

Thanks to her hits Running Up That Hill and Wuthering Heights, Kate Bush became a household name in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Over 40 years later, Kate’s music catalog is experiencing a resurgence due to her exposure on Stranger Things.

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When did Kate Bush release Running Up That Hill?

On August 5, 1985, Kate Bush released Running Up That Hill as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Hounds of Love.

During the song’s first run, it reached the top 40 on the popular music charts in the UK, Ireland, the United States and Australia.

Kate explained the song’s meaning in The Old Gray Whistle Test, saying, “I was trying to say that a man and a woman can’t understand each other because we’re a man and a woman.”

“If we could actually switch roles and be in each other’s place for a while, we’d both be very surprised!”

She further shared: “I think it would lead to a better understanding. And really the only way I could think of that it could be done was either… you know, I was thinking of a deal with the devil, you know.”

“I thought, ‘Well, no, why not make a deal with God!’ You know, because in a way it’s so much more powerful to ask God to make a deal with you.”

“Look, it’s still ‘A Deal With God’ to me, that was its title. But we were told that if we kept that title it wouldn’t be played in any of the religious countries.”

Kate added: “Italy wouldn’t play it, France wouldn’t play it and Australia wouldn’t play it!”

“Ireland wouldn’t play it and generally we could block it just because it had God in the title.”

In August 2012, the hit single re-entered the mainstream after being unveiled at the Closing Ceremony of that year’s Summer Olympics in London.

When was that on Stranger Things?

On May 27, 2022, Netflix distributed Season 4 of Stranger Things to the platform’s subscribers.

In the first half of the fourth issue, Running Up That Hill features prominently in a number of scenes and is said to be the character Max’s favorite song.

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During the climax of the conflict in the fourth episode, the single plays an important role in the aforementioned character’s escape from the season’s antagonist, Vecna.

Following the show’s use of Running Up That Hill, the song rebounded into mainstream popularity.

The track again debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart and the Australian Singles Chart, while climbing to number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

During a chat with Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 4, Kate went into detail about the song’s resurgence.

The legendary singer explained: “It’s just extraordinary. It’s such a great series.”

“I thought the track would get some attention. But I never thought it would get something like this.”

She continued, “It’s so exciting. But it’s really quite shocking, isn’t it? I mean the whole world has gone mad.”

“The thought of all these really young people hearing the song for the first time and discovering it is, well, I think it’s very special.”

“I think they placed it in a very special place. The Duffer brothers created the show and actually we watched it from the first series so I was already familiar with the show.”

Kate revealed, “I thought what a beautiful way to use the song in such a positive way.”

“You know, almost as a kind of talisman for Max and yes, I actually find it very touching.”