After two weeks in the top ten, “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush has reached the top of the UK singles charts. With a recent resurgence of popularity due to the popular TV show Stranger Things, the single has not just re-entered the UK charts but also the cultural zeitgeist. Originally released in 1985, the track made a comeback to the UK charts on 3rd June 2022 where it placed at number eight, last week saw the single climb six places to position at number two.
Bush has shared a statement on her single’s revived popularity, “You might’ve heard that the first part of the fantastic, gripping new series of ‘Stranger Things’ has recently been released on Netflix. It features the song, ‘Running Up That Hill’ which is being given a whole new lease of life by the young fans who love the show – I love it too! Because of this, Running Up That Hill is charting around the world and has entered the UK chart at No. 8. It’s all really exciting! Thanks very much to everyone who has supported the song. I wait with bated breath for the rest of the series in July.”
Due to the song’s chart success, “Running Up That Hill” has broken three UK Official Chart records. The first of which sees Bush break the record for the longest-ever gap between number one singles, her last number one was “Wuthering Heights”. The track reached the top of the UK singles charts in 1978, making a 44-year time difference between its win and Bush’s chart success this week. The record was previously held by Welsh crooner Tom Jones with a gap of over 42 years, the singer scored a hit with “Green Green Grass Of Home” in 1966 then again in 2009 with the charity single “(Barry) Islands In The Stream”.
The second Official chart record to be broken sees Bush claim the longest time in which a song has taken to chart as a number one single, after first entering the charts in 1985 the track has finally climbed to the top after 37 years of existence. Up until this week, the UK Official Chart record was owned by British pop icons Wham!, the band’s beloved festive hit “Last Christmas” was originally released in 1984 and first topped the Official UK Singles Chart on New Year’s Day 2021.
The third and final UK Official Chart record broken by Bush sees the 63 years and 11 months old singer named the oldest female artist to claim a Number One Single. The three-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nominee claimed the record from its previous holder Cher, the American singer was 52 years old when she topped the charts in 1998 with her mega hit “Believe”. The UK Official Charts have also confirmed that Bush is now fifth place within the register of older artists to secure a number one single. The list includes both genders and is headed by Captain Tom Moore, the singer scored a hit with “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in 2020 and the age of 99 years and 11 months.
Senior Vice President of Rhino UK Myn Jazeel has given the following statement concerning Bush’s chart win, “It’s long overdue that Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) by the truly amazing Kate Bush should finally top the UK charts. This phenomenal cultural moment came about after close collaboration between Kate and her team, Netflix and the Warner Music Sync Team, and without doubt we’ve seen that a cross-generational connection has been made, with a new audience in the UK and around the world joining Kate’s existing fanbase to discover and honour her timeless brilliance.”
Jazeel continues to thank Netflix’s popular show, “The success of Stranger Things, backed by Netflix, has been instrumental in creating this moment, so we must thank them. But our congratulations go out first and foremost to Kate. Running Up That Hill went to Number 3 in the UK when first released in 1985, so we’re delighted that it’s reached Number 1 almost 40 years later.”
The senior vice president concludes her statement by expressing joy that Bush’s discography has been introduced to the younger generation, “It’s also gratifying that Kate’s wider catalogue is now being discovered and enjoyed by a whole new audience. This whole occasion feels incredible for all involved, and that’s why we work in catalogue music, for moments like this that have such broad cultural relevance and impact.”
