I was always under the impression that this song was about an abusive relationship. She loves him yet willing to withstand the pain to be with him, however, she wants it to end.
"It doesn't hurt me." - She is lying to herself
"Do you want to feel how it feels?" - She is thinking about her lover.
"Do you want to know that it doesn't hurt me?" - Lying to him now
"Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?" - She is willing to put up with abuse for love.
"You, it's you and me." - Her commitment
Then the chorus:
"I'd make a deal with God, And I'd get him to swap our places," - She wants him in her shoes, hoping he will stop the abuse.
"Be running up that road, Be running up that hill, With no problems. " - Life would be better then.
Always been my take on the song. Especially considering the context. Another song released that very same year is Til Tuesdays' "Voices Carry" (very obviously about abuse.)
Relational abuse was a hot topic at this time and many artists (especially women) were voicing against it.
I was always under the impression that this song was about an abusive relationship. She loves him yet willing to withstand the pain to be with him, however, she wants it to end.
"It doesn't hurt me." - She is lying to herself "Do you want to feel how it feels?" - She is thinking about her lover. "Do you want to know that it doesn't hurt me?" - Lying to him now "Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?" - She is willing to put up with abuse for love. "You, it's you and me." - Her commitment
Then the chorus: "I'd make a deal with God, And I'd get him to swap our places," - She wants him in her shoes, hoping he will stop the abuse. "Be running up that road, Be running up that hill, With no problems. " - Life would be better then.
Always been my take on the song. Especially considering the context. Another song released that very same year is Til Tuesdays' "Voices Carry" (very obviously about abuse.)
Relational abuse was a hot topic at this time and many artists (especially women) were voicing against it.
Any thoughts?
You are absolutely spot on. The song is about domestic violence. Kate has said so.
You are absolutely spot on. The song is about domestic violence. Kate has said so.
@dronia Kate revealed that the song was about switching perspectives to gain a better understanding of partners in a relationship at genius.com/Kate-bush-running-up-that-hill-a-deal-with-god-lyrics .
@dronia Kate revealed that the song was about switching perspectives to gain a better understanding of partners in a relationship at genius.com/Kate-bush-running-up-that-hill-a-deal-with-god-lyrics .