Kate Bush's 1985 song 'Running Up That Hill' is back in the charts after it appeared on TV show 'Stranger Things'. Photo: Pete Still / Redferns
Kate Bush's 1985 song 'Running Up That Hill' is back in the charts after it appeared on TV show 'Stranger Things'. Photo: Pete Still / Redferns
Kate Bush's 1985 song 'Running Up That Hill' is back in the charts after it appeared on TV show 'Stranger Things'. Photo: Pete Still / Redferns
Kate Bush's 1985 song 'Running Up That Hill' is back in the charts after it appeared on TV show 'Stranger Things'. Photo: Pete Still / Redferns

Kate Bush and 'Stranger Things': the story behind 'Running Up That Hill'


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

The 1985 Kate Bush song Running Up That Hill has hit No 1 on the iTunes charts in 2022, thanks to Netflix show Stranger Things.

In season four of the Duffer Brothers' sci-fi horror series, Bush's haunting tune plays a significant role in the story arc of Max Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink. (We'll give away no spoilers here.)

Originally titled A Deal with God, the single was the first from Bush's 1985 album Hounds of Love and hit the radio waves on August 5, 1985 in the UK, her home country.

Back then, it peaked at No 3 on the UK charts and made 30 in the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.

The song's name was changed by Bush's label as record executives feared it would be blacklisted in religious countries, such as Italy or France. Bush relented, changing the title, but it's still listed as Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) on the album.

As with most Bush songs, it's a theatrical piece of synth-laden music taken to new heights with its deeply personal lyrics. She is said to have written it in one evening.

It's about making a deal with God to swap lives with another person; a fitting theme for Max's dilemma in the TV show.

English singer-songwriter poses for a shoot in 1978. Photo: Rex Features
English singer-songwriter poses for a shoot in 1978. Photo: Rex Features

“It's about a relationship between a man and a woman,” Bush said in a 1985 interview. “They love each other very much, and the power of the relationship is something that gets in the way. It creates insecurities.

“It's saying if the man could be the woman and the woman the man, if they could make a deal with God, to change places, that they'd understand what it's like to be the other person and perhaps it would clear up misunderstandings. You know, all the little problems; there would be no problem.”

A relationship fraught with complications is at the heart of the theme. As goes verse two: “You don't want to hurt me / But see how deep the bullet lies / Unaware, I'm tearing you asunder / Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts / Is there so much hate for the ones we love?”

“It seems that the more you get to know a person, the greater the scope there is for misunderstanding,” Bush said in an interview with The Times in 1985.

“Sometimes you can hurt somebody purely accidentally or be afraid to tell them something because you think they might be hurt when really they'll understand. So what that song is about is making a deal with God to let two people swap place so they'll be able to see things from one another's perspective.”

Then comes the now-trending chorus: “And if I only could / I'd make a deal with God / And I'd get him to swap our places / Be running up that road / Be running up that hill”.

“I don't know that perfect love exists in any human being, but I don't think it can be encouraged enough,” Bush told Blitz magazine when the song came out.

Running Up That Hill was one of the first songs she wrote for the album, and she had to persuade her label to make it the single instead of Cloudbusting.

She won the battle, and the song also got a nearly five-minute music video, directed by David Garfath, featuring Bush performing an interpretive dance with Michael Hervieu that was choreographed by Diane Grey.

Bush and Hervieu wear grey Japanese hakamas, a traditional style of floor-length trousers, and the dance suggests the pair are drawing a bow and arrow, an action that also appeared on the song's cover artwork.

In surreal sequences, the duo search through crowds of masked strangers and it ends with them being swept away from each other.

Interestingly, MTV initially refused to run the video, reportedly because the network preferred clips of people singing along to songs. At first, the channel ran a live performance of the song from TV show Wogan instead, but eventually put the video into rotation.

Over the years, various artists have covered the song, from dark wave group Faith and the Muse in 2001 and rock band Placebo in 2003 to pop star Will Young in 2011.

AlUla and other global landmarks celebrate return of 'Stranger Things' — in pictures

  • Landmarks around the world were lit up with a special projection to promote the return of the hit Netflix show 'Stranger Things'. All photos: Netflix
    Landmarks around the world were lit up with a special projection to promote the return of the hit Netflix show 'Stranger Things'. All photos: Netflix
  • A projection on Elephant Rock in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
    A projection on Elephant Rock in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
  • Gateway of India in Mumbai, India.
    Gateway of India in Mumbai, India.
  • Stockholm, Sweden.
    Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow, Poland.
    Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow, Poland.
  • Cologne in Germany.
    Cologne in Germany.
  • Empire State Building in New York City, US.
    Empire State Building in New York City, US.
  • Madrid in Spain.
    Madrid in Spain.
  • Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Pais Vasco, Spain.
    Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Pais Vasco, Spain.
  • Barranquilla in Colombia.
    Barranquilla in Colombia.
  • Kuala Lumpur Tower in Malaysia.
    Kuala Lumpur Tower in Malaysia.
  • Duomo Square in Milan, Italy.
    Duomo Square in Milan, Italy.
  • Fans at the unveiling of the projection on the Empire State Building. EPA
    Fans at the unveiling of the projection on the Empire State Building. EPA
  • Season four of 'Stranger Things' has been split into two parts, with the second being released on July 1, 2022. EPA
    Season four of 'Stranger Things' has been split into two parts, with the second being released on July 1, 2022. EPA
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

While you're here
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

 

 

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin

Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt

Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure

Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers

Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised

Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels

Timeline

1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line

1962
250 GTO is unveiled

1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company

1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens

1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made

1987
F40 launched

1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent

2002
The Enzo model is announced

2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi

2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled

2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives

2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company

2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street

2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EXare%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJanuary%2018%2C%202021%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPadmini%20Gupta%2C%20Milind%20Singh%2C%20Mandeep%20Singh%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20Raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2410%20million%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E28%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMS%26amp%3BAD%20Ventures%2C%20Middle%20East%20Venture%20Partners%2C%20Astra%20Amco%2C%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%2C%20Fintech%20Fund%2C%20500%20Startups%2C%20Khwarizmi%20Ventures%2C%20and%20Phoenician%20Funds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Citizenship-by-investment programmes

United Kingdom

The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).

All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.

The Caribbean

Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport. 

Portugal

The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.

“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.

Greece

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.

Spain

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.

Cyprus

Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.

Malta

The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.

The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.

Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.

Egypt 

A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.

Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Updated: May 31, 2022, 12:38 PM