Strange Phenomena: The Music of Kate Bush

S06E09 - Rocket's Tail Mar 07, 2021

Get ready to shoot off into the sky on a chilly November night, with track number 9 from The Sensual World, Rocket's Tail! And to join us on the show is friend of (and also outside of!) the show, Zoey, who cites this song as one of her underrated favorites from Kate's catalog!

In this episode, we talk about the dialogue (yes, this is a dialogue song!) between the characters in the song, we speculate about WHO exactly is shooting off into the night, and we talk about, of course, the lovely Trio Bulgarka's contributions to the song and how there is NOTHING else like this in Kate's endless array of songs. A song that begins a cappella, then explodes into an 80s rock song? Not something you'll find everyday!

Only with the lovely Kate Bush!

Interview Clip Played In This Episode:

Kate Bush and the Trio Bulgarka: Rhythms of the World, 11 March 1989

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S06E08 - Never Be Mine Feb 28, 2021

Even if the thrill and the hurting will never be yours, this episode can be! This week, we're talking about the lovely, yearning Never Be Mine, with long-time Kate fan Craig Houston from Ohio. And we have another top 10 favorite form our host in this week's song!

For this episode, Craig and Cecilee talk about the imagery-laden lyrics and how they touch each of them, as well as the music (of course) and the chord structure of the song as well (of course!), and how the chord structure give the song its unique feel!

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This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.

S06E07 - Between a Man and a Woman Feb 21, 2021

Welcome to another episode of the show this week! This week, it's just Cecilee and we're going into the seventh song on The Sensual World, called Between a Man and a Woman! Listen as we talk about the movie reference that led to this song's genesis (hint: family saga) and talk about the lyrics and, of course, the musical structure! If you're familiar with the song, you know the structure is pretty free-flowing, more than most Kate songs up to this point, so Cecilee goes into the chords and how the structure works with the song's subject!

Cover Version Played:

John and Sara - Between a Man and a Woman

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This episode was recorded on the AKG Lyra USB microphone and headphones! Thank you, AKG, for being a proud sponsor of the Pantheon Podcast network!

This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.

S06E06 - Deeper Understanding Feb 06, 2021

Happy New Year 2021 (even if it's a month late!)

Time to flip over the record and begin side two of The Sensual World. This week, we get to talk about one of Kate's most thought-provoking tracks, especially when listening to it in 2021 as a worldwide pandemic rages on: Deeper Understanding, the sixth song from The Sensual World.

And also the first audible appearance of the lovely Trio Bulgarka!

We're calling over to Austria this week for a chat with Paul, a Patreon supporter and fellow Kate Bush fan who puts this song as one of their favorites in Kate's canon. Much is discussed this week about this week's theme, as to be expected for a song about mankind's obsession with technology.

After all, you're probably listening to this on a portable device like something out of a sci-fi novel!

Cover song played on this episode:

Daniel de Jesus - Deeper Understanding

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This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.

Special - Kate Bush Christmas Special Discussion and Commentary! Dec 25, 2020

Merry Christmas to all you loyal listeners of the Strange Phenomena podcast!! We have here a VERY special episode: a discussion AND commentary for the Kate Bush Christmas Special, first broadcast in December 1979. Never released officially on DVD (or even video for that matter), but now it can be widely seen on YouTube these days! And thank goodness for that!

A few weeks ago, Zoey and Cecilee got together over Zoom (seeing each other for the first time!) to talk about and watch this timeless and definitely unforgettable special together, AND record our commentary so you can listen while you watch!

2020 has been a weird year overall. So let's end on a theatrical note with our lovely Kate Bush, shall we?

Click here to watch the whole special with us!

If you're enjoying the show and would like to further support the show, you can check out our Patreon page!

This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts, the podcast network for music lovers!

S06E05 - Heads We're Dancing Dec 20, 2020

This week, we're going back to '39, before the music started, to a night that someone would rather forget, a night when they danced with the devil: Hitler. Heads We're Dancing is the fifth track on The Sensual World, and is one of the more propulsive songs Kate has ever done. It might even be one of the darkest songs she's ever done as well.

Author James di Benedetto is on the show this week to talk about this song, which is one of his Kate favorites! We talk about our favorite lyrics, the inspiration of the song (hint: the atomic bomb), and everything else about this seemingly charming but actually quite dark song!

If you're enjoying the show and would like to further support the show, you can check out our Patreon page!

This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.

S06E04 - Reaching Out Dec 13, 2020

This week, we're reaching out to you through your smartphone or wherever you happen to be listening to this show, to give you an episode all about this Kate Bush album track, track four from The Sensual World, called Reaching Out! To discuss the song this week, we have our good friend Zoey, as well as a quick blurb from a Reaching Out superfan who contacted the show on Twitter!

If you're enjoying the show and would like to further support the show, you can check out our Patreon page!

This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.

S06E03 – The Fog Nov 29, 2020

Come and swim with us through the fog as we discuss the third track from The Sensual World, the dense, gorgeous, string-laden The Fog! On the show this week, we have friend of the show (and outside the show!) Zoey P, to discuss the gorgeous production on this song and what this song means to … Continue reading S06E03 – The Fog

S06E02 – Love and Anger Nov 21, 2020

Take away the love and the anger, and what you’re left with is….. a new episode of Strange Phenomena! This week, we have a first-timer on the show, author James DiBenedetto, and young fan Diego Ortega, to talk about a song that Kate has said herself was one of the most difficult songs she’s ever … Continue reading S06E02 – Love and Anger

S06E01 – The Sensual World Nov 14, 2020

Who else is ready to leave the pages of real world behind and go strutting with Kate Bush through a forest as the leaves fall and the rain comes down on your face? We certainly are! So leave behind the real world and join us for a journey into the first song episode for this … Continue reading S06E01 – The Sensual World

S06E00 – The Sensual World Album Introduction Episode Nov 06, 2020

With everything going on in the world these days, who doesn’t want to be somewhere else but here? I know! Let’s go to the Sensual World instead! This week, we start our journey into the Sensual World with a special introduction episode about Kate Bush’s sixth album, The Sensual World. Released in October 1989, The … Continue reading S06E00 – The Sensual World Album Introduction Episode

Special – Stepping Out of Quarantine into the Sensual World Aug 11, 2020

Hello everyone! It’s been a few months, but we’re back! This week, we’re talking about songs for the upcoming season (The Sensual World) that don’t have any fans yet, and the future of the show (hint: October 2020!). If you are a fan of any of these Sensual World era tracks, feel free to e-mail, … Continue reading Special – Stepping Out of Quarantine into the Sensual World

Special – Maybe You’ll Be Coming Back…..? Apr 23, 2020

Oh yes we will! You may have noticed that there haven’t been any new episodes of the show in a while. This week, Cecilee talks about the season to come and why there’s been a longer break than usual. AND also calling all Sensual World fans: If you are a super fan of any of … Continue reading Special – Maybe You’ll Be Coming Back…..?

S05E21 – The Seer (with Big Country) Feb 13, 2020

1986 was a busy year for Kate Bush! Not only was she singing with Rowan Atkinson, putting out singles from Hounds of Love and also a video and non-album track for The Whole Story, but she also got to sing with two other major artists: Big Country and Peter Gabriel! This week, we’re talking about … Continue reading S05E21 – The Seer (with Big Country)

S05E20 – Do Bears (with Rowan Atkinson) Feb 06, 2020

And now for an interesting little footnote in Kate Bush’s discography, her duet with comedian Rowan Atkinson, Do Bears. On April 4, 5, and 6, 1986, Kate Bush took part in the first live show for a then-new British charity event that would soon become a yearly institution: Comic Relief. She sang two songs, a … Continue reading S05E20 – Do Bears (with Rowan Atkinson)

S05E19 – Be Kind to My Mistakes Jan 16, 2020

It is another episode of Strange Phenomena that brings us together! This week we’re talking about a soundtrack song, the upbeat, poppy (and VERY mid-80s sounding!) Be Kind to My Mistakes. This song has had several releases over the years, most notably more as a b-side in the Sensual World era. BUT it’s first release … Continue reading S05E19 – Be Kind to My Mistakes

S05E18 – Experiment IV Jan 09, 2020

We were working secretly not for the military, but for you, specifically a new episode of Strange Phenomena! This week we’re going into a song that was released as a single from Kate Bush’s (to-date) only greatest hits collection The Whole Story, the spooky Experiment IV. Experiment IV was the only single released from The … Continue reading S05E18 – Experiment IV

S05E17 – Not This Time Jan 04, 2020

And now for a discussion of a b-side that isn’t discussed much (not even by Kate herself!!). In fact, the only way to find this song is either getting the single it’s from (The Big Sky), finding the This Woman’s Work box set, or going to YouTube! It’s not even on her most recent boxset … Continue reading S05E17 – Not This Time

S05E16 – The Handsome Cabin Boy Dec 19, 2019

Last week’s episode was on a traditional song, and that’s the same thing with this week’s episode! This week, we’re talking about a cover of a sea shanty called The Handsome Cabin Boy! He may not be a Kate fan (yet!) but we have Cecilee’s good friend Andrew Martin, a fellow music enthusiast and a … Continue reading S05E16 – The Handsome Cabin Boy

S05E15 – My Lagan Love Dec 12, 2019

Time to take a trip to Ireland for this week’s b-side, the lovely, a cappella My Lagan Love. This week, we’re talking about My Lagan Love, an Irish song that Kate recorded as a b-side and released as a b-side on two different singles (Cloudbusting in the UK, Hounds of Love in the US). However, … Continue reading S05E15 – My Lagan Love

S05E14 – Burning Bridge Dec 05, 2019

Don’t worry, you won’t have to be waiting all night long for a new b-side episode! We’re indeed going to tell you all about this week’s song, Burning Bridge. Recorded specifically as a b-side and stated as such by Kate herself, Burning Bridge is a frenzied, militaristic song with tons of background vocals, a charging … Continue reading S05E14 – Burning Bridge

S05E13 – Under the Ivy Nov 28, 2019

It won’t take us long to tell you how to find the next episode of Strange Phenomena: it’s right here in your feed! So when you’re done celebrating Thanksgiving and stuffing yourself full of turkey today (if you’re an American listener!), come take a moment to listen to this week’s episode of Strange Phenomena and … Continue reading S05E13 – Under the Ivy

S05E12 – The Morning Fog Nov 03, 2019

Are we really at the end of another album? Yes we are! Don’t worry; there are still b-sides and collaborations to come! (among many for this season: Under the Ivy! Burning Bridge! My Lagan Love! The Handsome Cabin Boy! The Seer! Don’t Give Up!) But first: The Morning Fog. After the nightmare that was the … Continue reading S05E12 – The Morning Fog

S05E11 – Hello Earth Oct 24, 2019

With just your heart and your mind, you could be driving driving home listening to the latest episode of the show! After an unexpected two week break, we’re back with the second to last song for the Hounds of Love album. Hello Earth is the climax of the album, a shifting, ethereal piece that was … Continue reading S05E11 – Hello Earth

S05E10 – Jig of Life Oct 05, 2019

Hello you Kate Bush fans, ready to put on your dancing shoes? Time to dance a jig of life! After the somber and thoughtful Watching You Without Me, we’re on to the next track, the energetic Jig of Life! Two fans (who are also Patreon supporters of the show!) are on board to discuss this … Continue reading S05E10 – Jig of Life

S05E09 – Watching You Without Me Sep 26, 2019

We can let you know what’s been happening, there’s a new episode of Strange Phenomena for your listening pleasure! This week, our song is Watching You Without Me, a dreamy, spectral tune that plays with a lot of interesting sounds (are those possibly gamelans? And backwards vocals?) and contains some wonderful production techniques. Two other … Continue reading S05E09 – Watching You Without Me

S05E08 – Waking the Witch Sep 19, 2019

We’re continuing into the Ninth Wave with the third track on side two. After the tense atmosphere of Under Ice, we enter another nightmare, this time at a witch trial in the truly frightening Waking the Witch. Performed live for the first time in 2014 in the Before the Dawn shows, Waking the Witch incorporates … Continue reading S05E08 – Waking the Witch

S05E07 – Under Ice Sep 12, 2019

Come skate past the trees with us as we discuss the second track on side two of Hounds of Love, the minimalist Under Ice. The song may only last two and a half minutes and have few instruments in the production, but what Under Ice does in that time will make you feel like you’re … Continue reading S05E07 – Under Ice

S05E06 – And Dream of Sheep Sep 05, 2019

Ready to dive in to the Ninth Wave portion of the album? We hope so! This week, we’re talking about the first song on the second side of Hounds of Love, the piano-driven song And Dream of Sheep. Not only is this an oft-covered song, but it contains many beautiful elements that make it a … Continue reading S05E06 – And Dream of Sheep

Bonus: Before the Dawn – Five Years Later Aug 29, 2019

Five years ago this week, in August 2014, a huge event happened in Kate Bush fandom: the beginning of Kate’s London residency, Before the Dawn. It wasn’t just another rock music gig. In the way that only Kate can do it, Before the Dawn was a theatrical experience like none other and, most importantly, it … Continue reading Bonus: Before the Dawn – Five Years Later

S05E05 – Cloudbusting Aug 22, 2019

This week we’re marching in time to the beat of the tender but urgent Cloudbusting. The second single from Hounds of Love and a UK Top 40 hit in late 1985, Cloudbusting is more than just an insanely catchy sing-a-long. There is an intriguing and strange backstory, touching lyrics, and….. Donald Sutherland? We have two … Continue reading S05E05 – Cloudbusting

S05E04 – Mother Stands for Comfort Aug 15, 2019

Hounds of Love produced four hit singles, all of them from the first side. The only song not released to radio was Mother Stands for Comfort, the fourth track from Hounds of Love, and an often overlooked song, even by our host. It’s also one of the most skeletal songs on this album. With only … Continue reading S05E04 – Mother Stands for Comfort

S05E03 – The Big Sky Aug 08, 2019

Are you ready to jump and leave with the big sky, honey? I hope so! All the folks for this week’s episode certainly are too! This week, we’re talking about the exuberant third track, and final single, from Hounds of Love, The Big Sky. And what a discussion this has turned out to be! Our … Continue reading S05E03 – The Big Sky

S05E02 – Hounds of Love Aug 01, 2019

If you thought running up a hill was difficult, try running away from dogs chasing you. Specifically, hounds of love. Get ready for some more running as we go into a discussion of the third single from the Hounds of Love album, the energetic title track. To discuss this song this week, we have two … Continue reading S05E02 – Hounds of Love

S05E01 – Running Up That Hill Jul 25, 2019

The year is 1985. And all over the radio in the last summer is the first bit of new music from Kate in a very long time. Three years, to be exact. Not only is it something new but it’s the first single for a new album! Running Up That Hill turns out to be … Continue reading S05E01 – Running Up That Hill

S05E00 – Hounds of Love Album Introduction Jul 18, 2019

Time to go running up that hill from the hounds of love under the big sky while mother stands for comfort as we’re cloudbusting, daddy. It’s Hounds of Love, Kate Bush’s best-selling fifth album, and the work that many consider her masterpiece! Hounds of Love was the first of Kate’s albums to be recorded in … Continue reading S05E00 – Hounds of Love Album Introduction

Bonus: Let The Weirdness In #2 Jul 05, 2019

Welcome to a special episode of Strange Phenomena. This week is another mailbag episode! The show is reaching more Kate Bush fans and that means more e-mails and Facebook messages with thoughts on songs and corrections! So this week, we get to hear from YOU, the listeners! Perhaps the most important message of all came … Continue reading Bonus: Let The Weirdness In #2

S04E12 – Ne t’enfuis pas May 23, 2019

We’re coming through the night like a cat to bring you an episode about one of Kate’s most mysterious songs, the beautiful French-language original Ne t’enfuis pas, which means “don’t flee.” (often translated as “don’t fly away.”) Cecilee gets to bring out her inner French nerd with this song as she discusses Ne t’enfuis pas with Dani Llamas, who you … Continue reading S04E12 – Ne t’enfuis pas

S04E11 – Lord of the Reedy River (Donovan song) May 16, 2019

Welcome to the first of only a few episodes of the b-sides/collabs part of The Dreaming season. This week, we’re discussing a song that Kate didn’t write, so this marks the first officially released cover song in Kate’s repertoire! The famous 1960s folk singer Donovan (known for hits like Sunshine Superman, Catch the Wind, and … Continue reading S04E11 – Lord of the Reedy River (Donovan song)

S04E10 – Get Out Of My House Apr 18, 2019

Unlike Kate in this song, we will let you in to show you all about the clattering and downright scary Get Out of My House, the last album track on The Dreaming. And what a closer this is! If you thought Breathing from the last album was epic, this one is even more so! To … Continue reading S04E10 – Get Out Of My House

S04E09 – Houdini Apr 11, 2019

It’s an epic episode about an epic love story: Bess and Harry Houdini! Our song this week is Houdini, the ninth track from The Dreaming and what a song it is! There’s Broadway singing, there’s light, pure vocals, and of course, the famous screams in the chorus! And mystery! Can’t forget the mystery either (don’t … Continue reading S04E09 – Houdini

S04E08 – All The Love Apr 04, 2019

This week’s song title may have the word “love” in it, but there doesn’t seem to be much love for this song. No discussion of it either on gaffa.org or….. much of anywhere! Time to fix that! Zoey P has joined us again for an extensive discussion of the album track All The Love, the … Continue reading S04E08 – All The Love

S04E07 – Night of the Swallow Mar 28, 2019

Come with us on a hired plane, with no names mentioned, for a fun ride through the seventh track on The Dreaming, the Irish-tinged/power ballad hybrid Night of the Swallow. In one of our most enthusiastic episodes yet, we have our good friend of the show, Zoey P, for whom this is her ABSOLUTE FAVORITE Kate Bush … Continue reading S04E07 – Night of the Swallow

S04E06 – The Dreaming Mar 21, 2019

Time to flip the record over and start the second side of The Dreaming! On now to the title track, a dark and mysterious song with dense production and even more dense discussion of the song’s themes. To dissect this week’s song, three guests have joined the show. We have input from Tomer Feiner, a … Continue reading S04E06 – The Dreaming

S04E05 – Leave It Open Mar 14, 2019

We can tell you what we’re letting in: a new episode of Strange Phenomena! This week, we’re talking about track five on The Dreaming, the strange and compelling Leave It Open. Christine Kelley, the author of Dreams of Orgonon, the Kate Bush blog, joins us for a discussion of this song this week. Listen as we discuss … Continue reading S04E05 – Leave It Open

S04E04 – Suspended in Gaffa Mar 07, 2019

Can you believe we’re almost done with the first side of The Dreaming? This week, we’re talking about a song that was released as a single in continental Europe, the lively but thoughtful Suspended in Gaffa. To discuss one of the more lively and, admittedly, more accessible tracks on an otherwise very experimental album, we have … Continue reading S04E04 – Suspended in Gaffa

S04E03 – Pull Out the Pin Feb 28, 2019

On to the third track from The Dreaming, the dense, jungle-scented Pull Out the Pin. An album track that stands out for its atmosphere and percussion, Pull Out the Pin continues in the vein of Kate songs that are told from a character’s point of view. This time, we as the listeners are transported to a thick, humid jungle in Southeast Asia … Continue reading S04E03 – Pull Out the Pin

S04E02 – There Goes a Tenner Feb 21, 2019

No need to wait any longer for a new episode of Strange Phenomena! This week, we’re continuing into The Dreaming with a discussion of the second track, the one single that didn’t even chart (what???), There Goes a Tenner. Released as the second single in the UK, with the French-language original Ne t’enfuis pas on the b-side, There Goes a Tenner is a … Continue reading S04E02 – There Goes a Tenner

S04E01 – Sat In Your Lap Feb 14, 2019

Sat In Your Lap could be summed up in one word: bombastic. Isn’t it fitting then that the episode about that song is jam-packed with guests? Of course! What a way to start off Kate’s (now) beloved fourth album The Dreaming, than with five different guests this week from many different parts of the world! And they all have … Continue reading S04E01 – Sat In Your Lap

S04E00 – The Dreaming Album Introduction Feb 07, 2019

Woohoo for the start of another album season! Welcome to the fourth season of the show, which will be all about the weirdly wonderful (and fan favorite) The Dreaming. Regarded by the artist herself as her “she’s gone mad” album, The Dreaming is the work of someone working in the explosive computer technology of the time … Continue reading S04E00 – The Dreaming Album Introduction

Bonus: Cathy/Phoenix Demos Jan 17, 2019

This week, we’re not talking about just one song but rather a bunch of songs! Specifically, the sort of songs that Kate Bush doesn’t want us to hear, but which we’ve heard anyway. This is the week of the Cathy/Phoenix Demos, which were recordings Kate made of her songs when she was a teenager before … Continue reading Bonus: Cathy/Phoenix Demos

Bonus: Humming Jan 10, 2019

It started as an excerpt on a radio show called Personal Call in 1980. Only a verse and part of a chorus were ever played. “I was waiting for the flat note in the middle,” she said as the tape faded out. And for years, fans have wondered about this mysterious song. Is it called … Continue reading Bonus: Humming

Bonus: Let the Weirdness In #1 Jan 03, 2019

Welcome to a special episode of Strange Phenomena. This week is the first “mailbag” episode. Over the last year and a half of this show, I’ve gotten messages from listeners about different episodes and their thoughts on some of the songs I’ve discussed so far, including some corrections (oops!). So this week, we get to … Continue reading Bonus: Let the Weirdness In #1

S03E22 – Flowers (Zaine Griff song) Dec 27, 2018

And now the end is here! Wrapping up this third season of the show, Cecilee is by herself to discuss a song from Zaine Griff’s 1982 album Figvres, called Flowers, which our lovely Kate Bush lent her vocals to! In this episode, Cecilee talks about the references in the song to French literature (who is … Continue reading S03E22 – Flowers (Zaine Griff song)

S03E21 – You (The Game Part II) (Roy Harper song) Dec 20, 2018

Ready to travel to new dimensions? Maybe even be a daring time traveler? Then you can be with a discussion of this week’s song, an album track from The Unknown Soldier, by British folk artist Roy Harper, called You (The Game Part II)! Kate and an old family friend, a certain David Gilmour, pop up on this … Continue reading S03E21 – You (The Game Part II) (Roy Harper song)

S03E20 – Games Without Frontiers (Peter Gabriel Song) Dec 13, 2018

On to the last Peter Gabriel/Kate Bush song….. for now! Like the previous two Peter Gabriel songs we’ve talked about on the show, Games Without Frontiers is an album track. But unlike the previous ones, this was a successful single. In fact, it was Peter’s first top 10 hit in the UK and the biggest hit, to … Continue reading S03E20 – Games Without Frontiers (Peter Gabriel Song)

S03E19 – No Self Control (Peter Gabriel Song) Dec 06, 2018

Now on to Peter Collaboration #2, the UK top 40 hit No Self Control, track number 2 on his 1980 album Melt. Peter Gabriel may have written this song, but in the production and song theme, No Self Control shares some parallels with Kate’s music as we would come to know it on her upcoming album The Dreaming. World instruments … Continue reading S03E19 – No Self Control (Peter Gabriel Song)

S03E18 – I Don’t Remember (Peter Gabriel Song) Nov 29, 2018

And so now begins the collaborations portion of this third season of the show! There will be a total of five collaboration episodes this season, three of them with the same artist: Peter Gabriel. I Don’t Remember was first sung by Peter and Kate together on stage for the Bill Duffield benefit concert in May … Continue reading S03E18 – I Don’t Remember (Peter Gabriel Song)

S03E17 – Kidnapped on a Building Site Nov 22, 2018

Ready to dive into a discussion of a rather obscure and strange little number? We hope so! Kidnapped On a Building Site is one of Kate’s most obscure songs, a raw piano/vocal unreleased demo of a song that was never fleshed out. In fact, we’re not even sure where this song came from, but a few … Continue reading S03E17 – Kidnapped on a Building Site

S03E16 – Warm and Soothing Nov 15, 2018

For a song that was probably meant, like The Empty Bullring, as a quick runthrough as she acclimated herself to a new studio, Kate sure came up with something beautiful and criminally underrated. This week, we’re discussing a b-side featuring just Kate and her piano, the flip of December Will Be Magic Again, called Warm and Soothing, a song … Continue reading S03E16 – Warm and Soothing

S03E15 – December Will Be Magic Again Nov 08, 2018

Almost 38 years ago, a mysterious holiday song was released to the record-buying public. Not just any holiday song. December Will Be Magic Again! The history of this song is a curious one indeed. First premiered to the public on the Kate Bush Christmas special in late 1979, December Will Be Magic Again didn’t get an official … Continue reading S03E15 – December Will Be Magic Again

S03E14 – Passing Through Air Nov 01, 2018

Time to take a trip back in time to a track that was recorded well before Never For Ever: the lovely little song Passing Through Air. Released as the b-side to Never For Ever‘s final single Army Dreamers, Passing Through Air was recorded in 1973 at the age of fifteen, when Kate was still a teenager writing songs by herself in … Continue reading S03E14 – Passing Through Air

S03E13 – Ran Tan Waltz Oct 25, 2018

Welcome to another episode of the show! This week we’re digging into Ran Tan Waltz, a sprightly little number that was released as the b-side to Never For Ever‘s second single Babooshka. Rather fitting that Ran Tan Waltz, a song about a dysfunctional marriage, was the flip side of a song also about a dysfunctional marriage. Cecilee is joined by … Continue reading S03E13 – Ran Tan Waltz

S03E12 – The Empty Bullring Oct 18, 2018

After a short break, we’re back with a new song episode. So come disappear through a window and out of your mind into our discussion of The Empty Bullring, the first released non-album track of Kate’s career so far and the first b-side of this season. The Empty Bullring was the b-side to Never For Ever‘s lead single Breathing. … Continue reading S03E12 – The Empty Bullring

Bonus: Kate Bush Remastered! Oct 05, 2018

Big news today in the Kate Bush world: all of Kate’s albums, plus new rarities, are being released in remastered editions on vinyl AND CD! The first seven are coming out on November 16, 2018 in individual and box set form, with the rest (Aerial, Directors Cut, etc) to follow on November 30, 2018! Woohoo! … Continue reading Bonus: Kate Bush Remastered!

S03E11 – Breathing Sep 27, 2018

Can you believe we’re now at the end of a third album? Of course there are still the b-sides and collaborations to go, but all the album tracks from Kate’s third album Never For Ever have now been discussed and dug into! Our guests for this last song will be familiar to listeners: Zoey P and … Continue reading S03E11 – Breathing

S03E10 – Army Dreamers Sep 20, 2018

After a short break, we’re back with another song episode! And almost in time for the 38th anniversary of this single being released! On September 22, 1980, the final single from Never For Ever was released: Army Dreamers. Compared to the previous two singles, Army Dreamers was quite a change of pace from Breathing (prog-rock, Kate’s “little symphony”) and Babooshka … Continue reading S03E10 – Army Dreamers

S03E09 – Night-Scented Stock Sep 06, 2018

You would think that an episode about a fifty-two second long interlude track would be about that long. Instead, we got an episode that was almost nine times as long as the song itself! Not bad, wouldn’t you say? In the shortest episode so far of the show, Cecilee is on her own to talk … Continue reading S03E09 – Night-Scented Stock

S03E08 – The Infant Kiss Aug 30, 2018

All our barriers are going. Time to bring you another episode of Strange Phenomena! Can you believe we’re almost done with Never For Ever album songs? We can’t either. Our song for discussion this week is a rather controversial Kate Bush song inspired by a movie (of course!) that was inspired by a story (of … Continue reading S03E08 – The Infant Kiss

S03E07 – Violin Aug 23, 2018

Are you ready to climb with Paganini up to the chimney to jig along with the fiddle-dee-diddle-dee-dee? If you are, then get ready for a rocking discussion of the violin-infused, well, Violin, the seventh track from Never For Ever. We are joined by two guests for this episode: Wayne Henderson, who you’ll remember from last season’s … Continue reading S03E07 – Violin

S03E06 – The Wedding List Aug 16, 2018

We hope you can give the hunt up for another episode of Strange Phenomena! Because it’s here! The Wedding List is the first song on Side B of Never For Ever, and what a way to start that side! We’ve gone from the ethereal Egypt to one of the most rocking songs that Kate has ever … Continue reading S03E06 – The Wedding List

S03E05 – Egypt Aug 09, 2018

Are you ready for a traveling episode? We sure hope so! For this week’s song, the ethereal Egypt, we make a call to Serbia to chat with a young fan named Uroš about his love for this song, the fifth track from Never For Ever. Uroš is a young Kate fan from Serbia who has always loved … Continue reading S03E05 – Egypt

S03E04 – All We Ever Look For Aug 02, 2018

All we ever want for you is to listen to this new episode of Strange Phenomena! All We Ever Look For doesn’t seem to be a song that is discussed much in the Kate Bush canon, and it’s really quite a shame! Because we found not one but TWO fans of this song to discuss … Continue reading S03E04 – All We Ever Look For

S03E03 – Blow Away (For Bill) Jul 26, 2018

One of the band told us last night that we’d be coming out with a new episode of Strange Phenomena this week! In this episode, we get to fly away with the third track from Never For Ever, Blow Away (For Bill). This week, Cecilee is joined by Alex Dale, a writer from London who considers this song to be … Continue reading S03E03 – Blow Away (For Bill)

S03E02 – Delius (Song of Summer) Jul 19, 2018

We promise we won’t be moody in this episode all about the beautiful song Delius (Song of Summer), the second track from Never For Ever. As a matter of fact, this episode will be cheery as the summer, since this is Cecilee’s favorite song on Never For Ever, so she has a lot to say! And so … Continue reading S03E02 – Delius (Song of Summer)

S03E01 – Babooshka Jul 12, 2018

Welcome to the first song episode of the Never For Ever season. And we’re starting it with the album opener, Babooshka. What a way to start an album! Babooshka is not just the album opener, but it was also the second single released from Never For Ever. It was a huge hit everywhere it was released, … Continue reading S03E01 – Babooshka

S03E00 – Never For Ever Album Introduction Jul 05, 2018

Welcome to a special Album Introduction episode! Before we start Season 3 of the show, we’re going to start with an Introduction episode where we get to talk about the history of the album to come and general personal thoughts on it. We’ll also talk about where this album fits into Kate Bush’s canon and … Continue reading S03E00 – Never For Ever Album Introduction

S02E12 – Lionheart Era Tracks – Another Day Jun 07, 2018

Another day, and another episode, the last one of the Lionheart season! We’re closing out the Lionheart era tracks with a song that, like last week’s song, has never been officially released in any capacity. Another Day, a Roy Harper song, was performed by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush for her 1979 Christmas special, an … Continue reading S02E12 – Lionheart Era Tracks – Another Day

S02E11 – Lionheart Era Tracks – The Magician May 31, 2018

Now that we’re done talking about all the album tracks from Lionheart, it’s time to dig into the Lionheart era tracks. The first of two tracks for this season is the ultra-rare song The Magician. Written by big-time film composer Maurice Jarre and Paul Webster, this song was written for the obscure 1979 film The Magician of Lublin, … Continue reading S02E11 – Lionheart Era Tracks – The Magician

S02E10 – Hammer Horror May 10, 2018

If you know all the signs of Notre Dame, then come join us for a discussion of the final track on Lionheart, the theatrical Hammer Horror. Zoey P joins us again to talk about one of her top ten favorite Kate songs, and tells us why this is one of her go-to Kate songs. Cecilee also … Continue reading S02E10 – Hammer Horror

S02E09 – Coffee Homeground May 03, 2018

We promise we won’t be getting you with any Belladonna or arsenic in the pot of tea. Instead, we’ll just be serving up a rather harmless episode of Strange Phenomena! This week, we’re talking about the very theatrical song Coffee Homeground, perhaps the most musical theater song that Kate Bush has ever done (and that’s saying … Continue reading S02E09 – Coffee Homeground

S02E08 – Kashka from Baghdad Apr 26, 2018

Travel with us to the Middle East for a discussion of Kashka from Baghdad, an exotic-flavored song about a gay couple. Our guest for the show this week is Zoey P, who you will remember from several other episodes this season! We talk about the Oriental perspectives that Kate uses in this song, the live … Continue reading S02E08 – Kashka from Baghdad

S02E07 – In the Warm Room Apr 19, 2018

Come with us to where the mellow wallows for a discussion of the seventh track on Lionheart, In the Warm Room. We get to make a long-distance call (our longest yet!) to Sydney, Australia to discuss this song with super fan Sarit Vandegraaff. Sarit tells us why this song means so much to her, why it … Continue reading S02E07 – In the Warm Room

S02E06 – Fullhouse Apr 12, 2018

Driving back in your car, you can listen to this discussion of a lesser-known Kate Bush album track, called Fullhouse. This week, we’re joined by Zoey P, who you might remember from the Lionheart album intro and Wow episodes. Zoey joins the discussion this week for a song that Cecilee admits isn’t a favorite, but … Continue reading S02E06 – Fullhouse

S02E05 – Oh England, My Lionheart Apr 05, 2018

Kate may not like this song much these days, but we do here at Strange Phenomena! And so does Keith DeWeese, a super fan of Oh England My Lionheart, the fifth track from her second album Lionheart. This week, we talk about a song that Kate spoke about very positively when the album was released, … Continue reading S02E05 – Oh England, My Lionheart

S02E04 – Don’t Push Your Foot on the Heartbrake Mar 29, 2018

Will you come down with Emma to listen to this episode of Strange Phenomena? We hope so! This week, we delve into the album track Don’t Push Your Foot on the Heartbrake, which Cecilee admits is her least favorite track on Lionheart. However, it is anything but for our guest, Jack Wranovics, a Heartbrake fan from … Continue reading S02E04 – Don’t Push Your Foot on the Heartbrake

S02E03 – Wow Mar 22, 2018

We hope you think this episode is just as wow and unbelievable as we think it is! This week’s song is the third song from Lionheart, and the most successful of the two songs released from the album for the radio, the iconic song Wow. Our guest this week is Zoey, who you might remember … Continue reading S02E03 – Wow

S02E02 – In Search of Peter Pan Mar 15, 2018

Come fly with us as we search for Peter Pan. Three different fans from all over the world have taken part in this episode to talk about why they love In Search of Peter Pan, this week’s song: Rebecca Kormind, a long-time fan from Denmark; Rick Campbell, an actor from Toronto, Canada; and Wayne Henderson, … Continue reading S02E02 – In Search of Peter Pan

S02E01 – Symphony in Blue Mar 08, 2018

Get ready to spend a lot of your time looking at blue as you listen to the first song episode of the Lionheart season! This week’s song is Symphony in Blue, the first track from Kate’s second album Lionheart, a rather jazzy sounding opening track that gives a great tone to the rest of the … Continue reading S02E01 – Symphony in Blue

S02E00 – Lionheart Album Introduction Mar 01, 2018

Welcome to a special Album Introduction episode! Before we start Season 2 of the show, we’re going to start with an Introduction episode where we get to talk about the history of the album to come and general personal thoughts on it. We’ll also talk about where this album fits into Kate Bush’s canon and … Continue reading S02E00 – Lionheart Album Introduction

S01E14 – TKI Era Tracks – Scares Me Silly (But It Gets Me Going) Jan 18, 2018

Here in the studio, we discuss a rather obscure Kate Bush song, Scares Me Silly (But It Gets Me Going), a leaked studio track from The Kick Inside sessions. This song is the only leaked studio track from Kate’s entire career, an impressive feat for someone who’s written a lot of music (but who now … Continue reading S01E14 – TKI Era Tracks – Scares Me Silly (But It Gets Me Going)

S01E13 – The Kick Inside Jan 11, 2018

At last, we come to the final track on The Kick Inside, the title track. This week’s episode features a very special guest: Graeme Thomson, the author of the music biography Under the Ivy: The Life and Music of Kate Bush. Cecilee and Graeme discuss the original Celtic murder ballad that this song comes from (whether you … Continue reading S01E13 – The Kick Inside

S01E12 – Room for the Life Jan 04, 2018

Hey there you listener in tears, it’s OK, we have another episode coming, so don’t be sad! We’re nearing the end of the first season of this podcast (already??!) and we’re now on the second to last song from The Kick Inside, Room for the Life. In this episode, Cecilee and Andrew Linke discuss the lyrics, the … Continue reading S01E12 – Room for the Life

S01E11 – Them Heavy People Dec 28, 2017

We’re about to hit you in a soft spot with this week’s episode, the eleventh track from The Kick Inside. Cecilee and Andrew Linke discuss the extensive history of this reggae-tinged track, which was not only released as a single in Japan (went to #3!) but it also was used in the only commercial that Kate Bush … Continue reading S01E11 – Them Heavy People

S01E10 – L’amour Looks Something Like You Dec 21, 2017

This week’s song will leave you hanging on the old goose moon as Cecilee and Andrew Linke discuss the tenth track on The Kick Inside: L’amour Looks Something Like You. They track the song’s beginnings as a full-band demo, the live (unreleased officially) version done for the Tour of Life, and the thoughtful lyrics. They also … Continue reading S01E10 – L’amour Looks Something Like You

S01E09 – Oh To Be in Love Dec 14, 2017

Cecilee and Andrew Linke attempt to stop the swing of the pendulum and let this episode through to you. This week’s song is Oh to Be In Love, the only song from Kate’s first two albums to have never been performed live on tour or…. anywhere, for that matter. They discuss the song’s origins in … Continue reading S01E09 – Oh To Be in Love

S01E08 – Feel It Dec 07, 2017

Is it hot in here or is it this song? It’s coming on winter in this part of the world, so it’s definitely this song. In this week’s episode, Cecilee and Andrew Linke get to discuss one of Cecilee’s personal favorites from The Kick Inside. They examine the expression of female desire in the lyrics, … Continue reading S01E08 – Feel It

S01E07 – James and the Cold Gun Nov 30, 2017

This week’s episode is all about the live tour de force that was James and the Cold Gun, track seven on The Kick Inside. For this episode, Cecilee and Andrew Linke discuss this upbeat track and its storied history, from its first performances with the KT Bush Band in London pubs in the late 70s to the … Continue reading S01E07 – James and the Cold Gun

S01E06 – Wuthering Heights Nov 23, 2017

At last, we come to the song that started it all, the worldwide (except for the US) mega-hit Wuthering Heights. In this special episode, Cecilee and special guest, musician and Wuthering Heights fanatic Luke McQuillan, hope you’ll let them in at your window as they discuss this important song. Cecilee and Luke discuss the unusual chord progression, the … Continue reading S01E06 – Wuthering Heights

S01E05 – The Man with the Child in His Eyes Nov 16, 2017

Ooo it’s here again: another episode of Strange Phenomena. In this weeks’ episode, Cecilee Linke gets to discuss one of Kate’s most famous songs, The Man with the Child in His Eyes, with her first call-in guest, Jason Taub, another American Kate fan. Jason and Cecilee talk about this song’s live appearance on Saturday Night Live in … Continue reading S01E05 – The Man with the Child in His Eyes

S01E04 – Kite Nov 09, 2017

Fly a diamond night with Cecilee and Andrew Linke as they discuss Kite, the fourth track on The Kick Inside. In this episode, they explore the full-band demo version of this song, discuss who is Beezelbub and why he’s aching in Kate’s belly-o, and how this song was realized for the stage in 1979. Live versions … Continue reading S01E04 – Kite

S01E03 – Strange Phenomena Nov 02, 2017

They raise their hats to the strange phenomena that is discussing this third track from Kate’s debut album The Kick Inside. In this episode, Cecilee is joined again by her husband Andrew Linke in talking about the early, full-band demo of this song, the live version from the Tour of Life, and going in depth with … Continue reading S01E03 – Strange Phenomena

S01E02 – The Saxophone Song Oct 26, 2017

You’ll find them in a Berlin bar in a corner discussing this second track from Kate Bush’s debut album The Kick Inside. In this episode, Cecilee and Andrew Linke talk about Kate’s tribute to the saxophone (not the last time she would write a song about a musical instrument and the feelings it evokes!). They also … Continue reading S01E02 – The Saxophone Song

S01E01 – Moving Oct 19, 2017

On this first song episode, Cecilee discusses the first track from Kate Bush’s 1978 debut album The Kick Inside with her husband, Andrew Linke. They discuss the inspiration behind this song, fan cover versions, Kate’s renditions of this song on live TV and on the Tour of Life, where she makes use of a revolutionary headset … Continue reading S01E01 – Moving

S00E01 – Introductions Oct 18, 2017

The official first episode of Strange Phenomena: The Music of Kate Bush, hosted by Cecilee Linke. In this podcast, Cecilee will be discussing every song that the legendary British singer/songwriter Kate Bush has ever produced, in chronological order. Each episode will focus on a different song and will include discussion of the history of each … Continue reading S00E01 – Introductions

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