Hounds of Love by Kate Bush Lyrics Meaning – Unleashing the Mystique Behind the Classic
Lyrics
It’s coming
When I was a child
Running in the night
Afraid of what might be
Hiding in the dark
Hiding in the street
And of what was following me
Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
Now hounds of love are hunting
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
I’ve always been a coward
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
And I don’t know what’s good for me
Oh, here I go
It’s coming for me through the trees
Oh, help me someone
Help me please
Take my shoes off
And throw them in the lake
And I’ll be
Two steps on the water
I found a fox
Caught by dogs
He let me take him in my hands
His little heart
It beats so fast
And I’m ashamed of running away
From nothing real
I just can’t deal with this
I’m still afraid to be there
Doo-doo-doo-doo
Among your hounds of love
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
And feel your arms surround me
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
I’ve always been a coward
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
I never know what’s good for me
Oh, here I go
Don’t let me go
Hold me down
It’s coming for me through the trees
Oh, help me darling
Help me please
Take my shoes off
And throw them in the lake
And I’ll be
Two steps on the water
Doo-doo-doo-doo
I don’t know what’s good for me
I don’t know what’s good for me
I need lo-lo-lo-lo-love, yeah
Your, yeah, your
Your love
Doo-doo
And take your shoes off
And throw them in the lake
Do you know what I really need?
Do you know what I really need?
I need lo-lo-lo-lo-love, yeah
In the pantheon of pop music, few songs have managed to blend the ethereal with the earthbound as masterfully as Kate Bush’s ‘Hounds of Love.’ Released in 1985 as the title track from her immensely successful album, this song remains a testament to Bush’s unique talent for weaving complex narratives with haunting melodies.
To unravel the layers of ‘Hounds of Love’ is to embark on a journey through fear and desire, through the chasing and the embrace of love. The duality of the hunter and the hunted within the same heart creates a song that resonates as much for its emotional depth as for its mythic overtones.
Chased by the Metaphorical Beast: The Pursuit as a Love Allegory
On the surface, ‘Hounds of Love’ might seem like a gripping tale of being pursued by a pack of metaphorical dogs. But the essence of the song lies far deeper, within the complex corridors of human emotion and experience. Here, the ‘hounds’ serve as a formidable metaphor for love itself—compelling, persistent, and sometimes terrifying.
Bush describes a protagonist who, since childhood, has been on the run: from fear, from the unknown, and ultimately, from love. The visceral imagery of being hunted taps into a primal fear, but Bush’s lyrical prowess sublimates that fear into a paradoxical yearning for the very thing that incites terror.
Diving into the Depths: Shedding the Layers of Protection
In a symbolic act of surrender, the protagonist is urged to ‘take my shoes off / And throw them in the lake.’ There’s a catharsis in casting away these protective layers—shoes that both ground us and enable our flight. It’s an invitation not just to stop running, but to wade into the waters of vulnerability, two steps removed from the solid ground but closer to the essence of love.
Kate Bush’s invitation to the water’s edge is not merely about vulnerability—it’s also about transformation. By parting with the shoes, the character prepares to transition into a state that defies the natural order, to walk on water, symbolizing a breakthrough in their journey of self-acceptance and embracing love.
A Moment of Empathy: Rescuing the Fox from the Hunt
One of the more poignant moments comes through an interaction with a fox—an animal traditionally seen as cunning and a frequent target for hounds. The protagonist identifies with the fox, ‘caught by dogs,’ sparking a moment of empathy and self-recognition.
Bush uses the personification of the fox as both a kindred spirit and a mirror, reflecting the protagonist’s own harried and hunted state. This encounter allows for a moment of introspection, culminating in the recognition that the true fear lies not in being chased, but in confronting oneself and the possibility of love.
Uncovering the Song’s Concealed Meanings: The Fear of Intimacy
While fear is palpable throughout the lyrics, the deeper introspection reveals that it’s not fear of the chase that paralyzes, but the fear of what happens when it ends—when love catches up and demands openness in the wake of vulnerability. The paradox of desiring connection while being terrified of it is the crux of this enigmatic piece.
The protagonist’s enduring self-admission, ‘I’ve always been a coward,’ is an intimate glance into the struggle with intimacy. In a society where we often glorify the fearless pursuit of love, Kate Bush underscores the courage it takes to acknowledge and face one’s own reservations.
Haunted by the Strain of Longing: Echoing Lines That Persist
There are lines within ‘Hounds of Love’ that linger in the consciousness long after the song has ended. ‘Oh, help me darling, help me please,’ the protagonist implores, encapsulating the dichotomy of wanting to be saved from love yet seeking rescue through it.
The refrain of ‘I don’t know what’s good for me’ is not just a memorable hook but a window into the psyche of many—forging a connection with listeners who’ve equally questioned their choices or the elusive nature of their desires. In the depths of these lyrics lies a universality that has enabled ‘Hounds of Love’ to endure as a classic.
