12. Under Ice
Favourite lyric: I’m speeding past tress, leaving little lines in the ice
Short but sweet, with a mysterious haunting quality to it. I cannot fault this song, I just don’t feel that feeling I have when I listen to the other songs as strongly.
You can listen to the song here:
11. Watching You Without Me
Favourite lyric: You can’t hear what I’m saying, you don’t hear what I’m saying, do you?
My reasoning for ‘Watching You Without Me’ being at #11 is similar to my reason for ‘Under Ice’ being at #12, but to a lesser extent. The lyrics on this song are definitely it’s strongest point. I’d go as far to say that the lyric above is my favourite on the whole album.
You can listen to the song here:
10. Mother Stands For Comfort
Favourite lyric: It breaks the cage and fear escapes and takes possession, just like a crowd rioting inside
While this song is less catchy than some of the other songs on the album, it is still very interesting both lyrically and instrumentally. In fact it was quite difficult to choose my favourite line.
You can listen to the song here:
9. Waking The Witch
Favourite lyric: You shouldn’t make the night, but see your little light’s alive
Definitely the weirdest song on the album, the most interesting listen possibly. I like the creativity of it all, and the lyrics of course, however I feel as if we don’t get to hear Bush’s voice as much as we do on other tracks.
You can listen to the song here:
8. Jig Of Life
Favourite lyric: Where on your palm is my little line, when you’re written in mine as an old memory?
I have so much to write about ‘Jig Of Life’, so it feels unlawful to put it this low. The flow of the song is incredible, accompanied by anecdotal lyricism. I love how the barn dance atmosphere is emphasised by the instrumental, before we hear the mysterious voice of man, who I suspect is replying to Kate’s verse of the song.
You can listen to the song here:
7. Hello Earth
Favourite lyric: With just my heart and my mind I can be driving, driving home
This song is very up and down instrumentally, but I think that’s what I love about it. In fact there’s no actual reason for me to rank it at #7, I guess there are just other songs I love more.
You can listen to the song here:
6. The Morning Fog
Favourite lyric: D’you know what? I love you better now
Something about the calmness of this song draws me in, and I finish the song feeling exactly the same way. While there are songs I like more, I’m not sure if any of them could end the album as perfectly as ‘ The Morning Fog’ does.
You can listen to the song here:
5. The Big Sky
Favourite lyric: You never understood me, you never really tried
I certainly underestimated ‘The Big Sky’, having just pushed it up from #8 to #5. The song can be a little repetitive, but that doesn’t bother me as it’s just so catchy.
You can listen to the song here:
4. And Dream Of Sheep
Favourite lyric: Let me be weak, let me sleep, and dream of sheep
As an avid lover of sheep (so much that I refuse to eat lamb), just the title of this melodic ballad is enough to excite me. The song is filled with gorgeous piano notes, as well as the softness and tranquility of Bush’s voice.
You can listen to the song here:
3. Cloudbusting
Favourite lyric: What made it special made it dangerous so I bury it and forget
‘Cloudbusting’ has a lot going for it, including the best instrumental and best momentum to the chorus on the album. I’m also just in love with the general flow of the song.
You can listen to the song here:
2. Hounds Of Love
Favourite lyric: And I’m ashamed of running away from nothing real, I just can’t deal with this
It was close between this song and ‘Cloudbusting’, but what makes ‘Hounds Of Love’ that fragment better is the satisfyingly dramatic effect it has on you, sort of similar to the song I put in first place.
You can listen to the song here:
1. Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)
Favourite lyric: And if I only could, I’d make a deal with God, and I’d get him to swap our places
This song has revived its fame since its infamous cameo on Netflix show Stranger Things (and is the only reason I decided to watch it really). I’m so glad people have got to see the beauty of its lyrics and melody. It may seem like the obvious song to put in first place, but there is really nothing you can fault about the song.
You can listen to the song here: