Running Up That Hill
A few years ago, Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" experienced a resurgence of interest following an appearance on the Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things. It's probably safe to say that a new generation who had never heard Bush's 1985 album Hounds Of Love, on which it originally appeared—despite the popularity of the record at the time—was introduced to the groundbreaking and unconventional musician's work.
Long before its Stranger Things appearance, the song was given the cover treatment by Chromatics. Chromatics is one of several projects by LA-based writer, musician and producer Johnny Jewel. Jewel is a prolific electronic music aficionado who runs the Italians Do It Better record label, as well as contributing to the music of all of its acts (which include Desire and Glass Candy, among others). While a collaboration like Glass Candy allows Jewel to scratch his Italo-disco itch, Chromatics leans into his interest in synth-pop and arguably is the source of his most accessible work.
The studio version of the cover of Bush's "Running Up That Hill" is featured on Chromatics' 2007 Night Drive album, which has been described as "a hazy imaginary soundtrack to a stylish, decadent noir film…" Here, a fan (Australian Sean Bell) comes up with a compelling live video for the song.
Bell explained his process for creating the video in 2020.
I've taken various elements from live recordings and an alternate studio version from Night Drive to create a new audio mix, and then recut vision from their Republic performance September 22nd 2011 at Olio Festival.
It's not authorized by the band, but you want to believe they appreciate it or there would have been a takedown request by now. The live footage prominently features vocalist Ruth Radelet faithfully attending to the spiritually challenging lyrics while to her right Jewel pounds on his synth.
Chromatics — Running Up That Hill (YouTube)
