Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ has reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart. The Hounds of Love single, which has seen a resurgence thanks to its prominent inclusion in the new season of Stranger Things, previously hit No. 3 upon its release in 1985. The song was streamed over 57 million times in the past week alone, making it the most-streamed song on the planet; but it wouldn’t have topped the UK chart if it weren’t for a chart rule reset that “stops older songs being penalised if their streams surge,” according to the BBC. This marks Bush’s first No. 1 hit in the UK since 1978’s ‘Wuthering Heights’.
In her most recent statement about the renewed interest in the song, Kate Bush said:
The Duffer Brothers have created four extraordinary series of ‘Stranger Things’ in which the child actors have grown into young adults. In this latest series the characters are facing many of the same challenges that exist in reality right now. I believe the Duffer Brothers have touched people’s hearts in a special way at a time that’s incredibly difficult for everyone, especially younger people.
By featuring ‘Running Up That Hill’ in such a positive light – as a talisman for Max (one of the main female characters) – the song has been brought into the emotional arena of her story. Fear, conflict and the power of love are all around her and her friends.
I salute the Duffer Brothers for their courage – taking this new series into a much more adult and darker place. I want to thank them so much for bringing the song into so many people’s lives.
I’m overwhelmed by the scale of affection and support the song is receiving, and it’s all happening really fast, as if it’s being driven along by a kind of elemental force.
I have to admit I feel really moved by it all.
Thank you so very much for making the song a No 1 in such an unexpected way.