In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
It doesn't hurt me
You wanna feel how it feels?
You wanna know, know that it doesn't hurt me?
You wanna hear about the deal I'm making?
You (if I only could be running up that hill)
You and me (if I only could be running up that hill)
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
If I only could, ooh
You don't want to hurt me
But see how deep the bullet lies
Unaware that I'm tearing you asunder
And there's a thunder in our hearts, baby
So much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
You (if I only could be running up that hill)
You and me (if I only could be running up that hill)
You and me won't be unhappy (if I only could be running up that hill)
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
If I only could, ooh, ooh
Come on baby, come on, come on, darling
Let me steal this moment from you now
Come on angel, come on, come on, darling
Let's exchange the experience, ooh
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
You wanna feel how it feels?
You wanna know, know that it doesn't hurt me?
You wanna hear about the deal I'm making?
You (if I only could be running up that hill)
You and me (if I only could be running up that hill)
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
If I only could, ooh
You don't want to hurt me
But see how deep the bullet lies
Unaware that I'm tearing you asunder
And there's a thunder in our hearts, baby
So much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
You (if I only could be running up that hill)
You and me (if I only could be running up that hill)
You and me won't be unhappy (if I only could be running up that hill)
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
If I only could, ooh, ooh
Come on baby, come on, come on, darling
Let me steal this moment from you now
Come on angel, come on, come on, darling
Let's exchange the experience, ooh
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
Lyrics submitted by BrokeAnotherMirror, edited by booklover
Running Up That Hill Lyrics as written by Kate Bush
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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i don't know about anyone else, but when i heard this song, i thought of someone who's loved one was sick or in pain, and they were asking God to swich places, i know people think otherwise, but thats just the story i think of when i listen to this song.
oh, and i like this version better than all the others, it's very haunting in a way.