The Sensual World by Kate Bush Lyrics Meaning – Exploring the Nuances of Desire and Liberation

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Kate Bush's The Sensual World at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Mmh, yes
Then I’d taken the kiss of seedcake back from his mouth
Going deep South, go down, mmh, yes
Took six big wheels and rolled our bodies
Off of Howth Head and into the flesh, mmh, yes

He said I was a flower of the mountain, yes
But now I’ve powers o’er a woman’s body, yes

Stepping out of the page into the sensual world
Stepping out

To where the water and the earth caress
And the down of a peach says mmh, yes
Do I look for those millionaires
Like a Machiavellian girl would
When I could wear a sunset? Mmh, yes

And how we’d wished to live in the sensual world
You don’t need words, just one kiss, then another

Stepping out of the page into the sensual world
Stepping out, off the page, into the sensual world

And then our arrows of desire rewrite the speech, mmh, yes
And then he whispered would I, mmh, yes
Be safe, mmh, yes, from mountain flowers?
And at first with the charm around him, mmh, yes
He loosened it so if it slipped between my breasts
He’d rescue it, mmh, yes
And his spark took life in my hand and, mmh, yes
I said, mmh, yes
But not yet, mmh, yes
Mmh, yes
Mmh, yes

In the realm of artful expression, few songs capture the intangible atmosphere of human sensuality quite like Kate Bush’s ‘The Sensual World.’ This tune, rich in lyrical poetry and evocative imagery, invites listeners into a realm where the senses reign supreme, and the corporeal world blends seamlessly with the emotional landscape. Bush’s distinctive voice and lyrical prowess turn the song into something far more than its surface suggests—a deeply philosophical exploration of desire, liberation, and the human condition.

On a cursory listen, ‘The Sensual World’ might unfold as a tribute to physical experiences and the shedding of constraints, but it’s within the details of its lyrics that the song’s true depth is discovered. Kate Bush weaves together references and metaphors that evoke a journey from the written page, indicative of structured and preordained life, into a world where sensuality and instinct are the true guides.

The Odyssey of the Senses: A Mythical Journey through Sound

Kate Bush’s choice of instrumentation and melody in ‘The Sensual World’ itself tells a story—an auditory odyssey that reflects the aspects of the sensual. The intertwining of traditional Irish instruments with a contemporary sound creates a cultural bridge, suggesting that our quest for sensory exploration is a timeless and borderless affair.

The song begins with a breathy ‘Mmh, yes’, a testament to an immediate, affirmative response to sensory pleasure. From the outset, it’s established that this world Bush narrates is one led by feelings and intuitions—’yes’ to the experiences that might be considered taboo in a realm that speaks to logic and restraint.

A Nod to Literary Giants: Molly Bloom Steps into the Spotlight

At the heart of ‘The Sensual World’ is the echo of James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses,’ specifically the soliloquy of Molly Bloom. Bush initially sought to directly quote the text, but due to copyright restrictions, crafted her own prose. Nevertheless, the spirit of Molly’s free-flowing thoughts permeates the song, with the singer envisioning the literary figure stepping out of the confines of the printed page.

Bush’s vision of Molly is one of empowerment—her protagonist is no longer defined by Joyce’s narration but possesses autonomy over her own body and desires. This liberation from male authorship and the leap into a realm where a woman can have ‘powers o’er a woman’s body’ resonates deeply in a world where female sexuality has long been subject to censorship and control.

Sensual Metaphor or Clandestine Romance? Unraveling the Lyrics’ Tapestry

The imagery that Kate Bush calls upon in ‘The Sensual World’ spans the magnificently natural to the mundanely synthetic—’six big wheels’ may symbolize the instruments of industry and progress that transport the characters, while the ‘down of a peach’ brings forth the delicate and natural. The juxtaposition of these elements serves to highlight the song’s commentary on the interaction between the constructed world and raw nature.

The interplay between elements is Bush’s way of demonstrating the synthesis of human experiences. The ‘flesh’ of human connection and the caress of the ‘water and the earth’ aren’t just vivid images; they depict a harmony between being and the world that birthed us—a nature fundamentally sensual and evocative.

Beyond the Velvet Curtain: The Hidden Meaning in Bush’s Siren Song

The hidden layer beneath ‘The Sensual World’ is a cornucopia of subtle nods to cultural and philosophical ideas. It is a discourse on the human inclination to reduce life to mere words when in fact, existence envelops the ‘sensual world’ that defies definition. The song challenges listeners to reassess the boundaries between feeling and knowing, between expressing and experiencing.

Even the song’s structure flirts with this theme—repeating the phrase ‘stepping out, off the page, into the sensual world’ serves as an incantation, a call to liberate oneself from the script of preconceived expectations. Each repetition is a beckoning to the listener to take the same daring leap as the persona in the song.

Eternal Echoes: The Memorable Lines That Captivate and Challenge

Some of the song’s most compelling lines act as a siren call to the beauty of the world in its raw form—’Do I look for those millionaires like a Machiavellian girl would when I could wear a sunset? Mmh, yes’. This rhetorical musing challenges the societal pursuit of wealth and status in favor of basking in the simple glory of the world, a sentiment that has endeared the song to many.

‘You don’t need words, just one kiss, then another’. This line captures the essence of sensual communication—suggesting that some experiences transcend language. It’s an invitation to intimacy by shedding the burden of expression, encouraging a deeper understanding that is felt rather than spoken, showcasing Bush’s masterful ability to convey complex emotions in a single breath.