Kate Bush makes a rare public statement thanking fans after her 1985 hit “Running Up That Hill” sees a huge resurgence in popularity from its use on Stranger Things.
The song has seen a massive surge in popularity following its prominence in the latest season of Netflix’s Stranger Things. Kate Bush wrote on her website, “You might’ve heard that the first part of the fantastic, gripping new series of Stranger Things has recently been released on Netflix.”
“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!” She continues, “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. I wait with bated breath for the rest of the series in July,” she finishes.
The track initially appeared on Bush’s critically acclaimed fifth album, Hounds of Love, which she self-produced in a private studio near her home after the high costs of hiring studio space for work on her previous album. Many fans consider Hounds of Love to be Bush’s best work, topping the UK charts at its release and knocking Madonna’s Like a Virgin from the number one spot.
In Stranger Things, the song plays a vital role as a repeating motif throughout the fourth season, and it’s also the favorite song of character Max Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink. Since its appearance in the show, “Running Up That Hill” has gone viral, streaming numbers multiplying by thousands in the past week.
According to Chartmetric data, Kate Bush has jumped to third place in alternative artists, eighth in rock artists, 11th in the UK, and 67th place overall.
To celebrate the beginning of Pride Month, Amazon Music recently unveiled trans singer and songwriter Kim Petras’ cover of “Running Up That Hill” as part of their PROUD Playlist. Petras also recently released her fourth EP, Slut Pop, through Republic Records, making it her first release under the label, with whom she signed in 2021.