Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) by Kate Bush Lyrics Meaning – Climbing the Peaks of Human Connection

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

“If I only could, I’d be running up that hill.
If I only could, I’d be running up that hill.”

It doesn’t hurt me.
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know that it doesn’t hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that I’m making?
You, it’s you and me.

And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with God,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh…

You don’t want to hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware I’m tearing you asunder.
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.

Is there so much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don’t we?
You, it’s you and me.
It’s you and me won’t be unhappy.

And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with God,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building,
Say, if I only could, oh…

You,
It’s you and me,
It’s you and me won’t be unhappy.

“C’mon, baby, c’mon darling,
Let me steal this moment from you now.
C’mon, angel, c’mon, c’mon, darling,
Let’s exchange the experience, oh…”

And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with God,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with God,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with God,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

If I only could
Be running up that hill
With no problems…

“If I only could, I’d be running up that hill.
If I only could, I’d be running up that hill.”

Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)’ is a track that has defied the confines of its era, becoming a timeless exploration of human empathy and connection. With its pulsing synthesizers and Bush’s impassioned vocal performance, the song remains as evocative and relevant today as when it first resonated from the speakers in 1985.

The song’s haunting lyrics convey a yearning to transcend the barriers that keep us from fully understanding those we love. It’s a potent mix of vulnerability and strength, wrapped in a melody that twists and climbs like the hill it allegorizes. Let’s lace up our boots and begin the ascent into the core of this stirring anthem’s heart.

An Odyssey for Empathy: Diving into Kate’s Lyrical Labyrinth

At its surface, ‘Running Up That Hill’ appears to address the universal desire to alleviate the pain of a loved one. However, venture deeper into the siren song of Bush’s lyrical prowess, and you’ll find an odyssey that clambers through the complexities of empathy. The titular hill becomes a metaphor for the struggle we undertake when attempting to bridge the gap that separates individual experiences.

Bush beckons the listener with the hypothetical premise: could divine intervention allow us to swap places with our partners to perceive the depth of their pain? This powerful invocation creates a space where we confront our limitations when faced with someone else’s suffering, and it challenges us to reflect on how far we’re willing to go for understanding.

Swapping Souls with the Divine: The Pursuit of Otherness

Bush’s deal with God represents a bold narrative shift where divinity is brokered for human sake. She turns the act of pleading with a higher power on its head, suggesting a barter system with the heavens—swap our places, and let us run in each other’s shoes. It’s a profound exploration of otherness and the lengths we’ll travel to escape the isolation of our personal silos.

The idea transcends religion, tapping into a universal thread of spirituality where miracles take shape through understanding. We are compelled to consider the transformative power in exchanging experiences—could it indeed make the arduous journey, the uphill struggle of relationships, more navigable?

Unlocking the Song’s Hidden Meaning: Strife in the Soundscape

Bush’s commandment, ‘It’s you and me,’ cements the song as a duet between two souls set against an auditory backdrop of encroaching discord. The ‘thunder in our hearts’ is not only emblematic of inner turmoil but also of passion, underlining the dual-edged sword of any deep relationship—the potential for both immense love and conflict.

This hidden harmony between love and pain unfolds musically as well. The brooding, climactic beats mirror the uphill battle while delicately layered vocals convey a sense of fragility against the steadfast percussive climb. It’s a multifaceted metaphor at play: running uphill is an emotional, spiritual, and physical manifest of our human condition.

Echoes Through Time: How ‘Running Up That Hill’ Reverberates Today

Decades later, ‘Running Up That Hill’ has not lost its potency. The enduring nature of its lyrics can be attributed to their wide applicability—from the personal level of a relationship to a broader socio-political commentary on empathy in today’s fragmented world. The song’s ability to transcend time is rooted in its emotional rawness and the universality of its central plea.

The track continues to resonate with new generations that discover it, fueling its relevance in pop culture through television and cinema. Not only is it a testament to Bush’s artistic foresight, but it’s also a reflection of a shared human experience that stretches across the ages—our intimate desire for understanding breaching the chasms that divide us.

Memorable Lines that Cut Deep: ‘See How Deep the Bullet Lies’

Throughout ‘Running Up That Hill,’ Bush’s lyrics twist like a knife, none more so than ‘But see how deep the bullet lies.’ These words pause the ascent, delivering a visceral image that encapsulates the song’s essence: acknowledging the unseen hurt in those we love. It’s a powerful reminder that damage is not always visible, and true compassion requires delving beneath the surface.

It also reflects the grievous reality that our attempts to help can sometimes cause harm—in our ignorance, we can tear each other asunder. This line is a moment of self-realization; by drawing attention to the bullet, Bush implies that understanding goes beyond compassion—it’s the courage to face and address the pain we’ve caused and endured.