Kate Bush breaks silence to comment on Stranger Things success

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By ( Classic Rock ) published

Following Running Up That Hill's use in Netflix's Stranger Things – and the song's re-entry into the Top 10 – the singer has made a rare statement

Kate Bush red carpet shot
Kate Bush at the launch of her Hounds of Love album at the London Planetarium in 1985 (Image credit: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

Kate Bush has made a rare public statement, writing a post on her website expressing delight at the renewed success of her 1985 classic Running Up That Hill. 

There's been a huger groundswell of interest in the song since it was featured in the latest series of Netflix science fiction drama Stranger Things, and last week it entered the UK singles chart at number 8. This week it's leapt six places to number 2, with the Official UK Charts Company expecting it to challenge Harry Styles for the top position next week.    

"You might’ve heard that the first part of the fantastic, gripping new series of  Stranger Things has recently been released on Netflix," wrote Bush. "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."

Bush concluded by adding, "I wait with bated breath for the rest of the series in July." 

Stranger Things star Winona Ryder wore a Kate Bush button badge to the series premiere in Brooklyn, and told USA Today, "I’ve been obsessed with her since I was a little girl. She's a hero of mine. I’ve also for the last seven years been dropping hints on set wearing my Kate Bush T-shirts."

This is the third time that Running Up That Hill has broken into the UK Top 10. Upon its release in 1985 the song reached number 3, and in 2012 it hit the number 6 position after being featured in the closing ceremony of the London Olympic Games. 

Stranger Things continues on Netflix.

Fraser Lewry
Fraser Lewry
Online Editor, Classic Rock

Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014. 40 years in music industry, online for 27. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author. Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy, and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats. Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović.