Singer-songwriter Kate Bush has released a Christmas message, focussing on (among a number of things) life after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as NHS staff and even a bird she saw recently. She noted that “With nearly two years of COVID, are any of us the same people we were before? It’s left everyone confused and uncertain of the future.“ Her thanks for the year was mainly directed at the hard work of the NHS. “These caring people are showing such extraordinary acts of kindness to others. Let’s hope they get the pay rises they rightly deserve.“
The comments come after some rather controversial decisions from the government earlier this year, such as giving NHS workers only a 3% pay rise, which resulted in talks of possible industrial action from workers in protest. Bush is not the only artist to say something about the matter either. Dua Lipa made her thoughts known at the 2021 BRIT Awards last May, noting the work of Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, who fought to improve equality in the NHS through her Mary Seacole Centre for Nursing Practice. Lipa said that “it’s very good to clap for them but we need to pay them. And so I think what we should do is we should all give a massive massive round of applause and give Boris a message that we all support a fair pay rise for our frontline.“
It’s not the first time this year Bush has been involved in fair pay issues either. A while back, Bush was among 156 musicians who signed an open letter to Boris Johnson asking for fairer pay to artists by streaming services. Other artists who signed include Paul McCartney, Noel Gallagher and Chris Martin. The letter argued that “For too long, streaming platforms, record labels and other internet giants have exploited performers and creators without rewarding them fairly. We must put the value of music back where it belongs – in the hands of music makers.“
However, on a less serious note, Bush was also pleased to let us know in her statement that she saw a nice looking bird a few weeks back. Apparently, it was a Goldcrest, “the smallest bird in Europe”, but it was significant to Bush since it was only the second time in her life she’d encountered one. She said that she “stood still, hoping not to frighten it away“, describing the bird as a “gorgeous little ball of fluff“ that “flew away after 10 minutes or so …. It made my day.“ She finished off her statement by wishing her fans well, saying “Please stay safe“ and “Wishing you a restful Christmas and hoping 2022 is a happier year for everyone. With love, Kate.”
