10 - Kate Bush - Running Up The Hill (A Deal With God) - Now That's What I Call Music 6

"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" is a spellbinding, emotionally charged track from Kate Bush that blends art pop with mythic intensity. Released in August 1985, it marked her return to the UK Top 10 and became one of her most enduring and critically acclaimed singles. Built around a pulsing Fairlight synthesiser, haunting drum patterns, and Bush’s ethereal vocals, the song explores the desire to swap places with a loved one in order to truly understand their pain. Its inclusion on "Now That's What I Call Music 6" brought avant-garde pop into the mainstream, offering listeners a moment of introspective brilliance amid the compilation’s chart-friendly sheen. The song was originally titled "A Deal With God", but EMI feared the reference might hinder radio play, especially in religious markets, so Bush reluctantly agreed to rename it. Despite this compromise, the track retained its spiritual and emotional weight, becoming a defining moment in her career. The music video, choreographed by Diane Grey, featured Bush and dancer Michael Hervieu performing a stylised duet that replaced literal storytelling with interpretive movement—an artistic choice that mirrored the song’s metaphysical themes. During live performances, Bush rarely sang the track until her 2014 "Before the Dawn" residency, where its inclusion was met with rapturous acclaim. Decades later, the song would experience a global resurgence thanks to its use in television, proving that its emotional resonance and sonic innovation remain timeless. #KateBush #RunningUpThatHill #Now6 #BBCNumberOneAlbums #1985Hits #FairlightSynth #BritishPop #OriginalArtists #80sAnthems #ChartToppers #PopHistory #VinylRevival #PlaylistStorytelling #TimeCapsulePop #ClassicCompilation #ArtPop #SpiritualThemes #EmotionalPop #BeforeTheDawn #VintageVibes #InterpretiveDance #TimelessSound