Running Up That Hill

Kate Bush

It doesn't hurt me
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know, know that it doesn't hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?
You, it's you and me

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
Be running up that building
See if I only could, oh

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?
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
You, it's you and me
It's you and me, won't be unhappy

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
Be running up that building
Say, if I only could, oh

You
It's you and me
It's you and me, won't be unhappy

Oh come on, baby
Oh come on, darling
Let me steal this moment from you now
Oh come on, angel
Come on, come on, darling
Let's exchange the experience, oh

And if I only could
I'd make a deal with God
And I'd get him to swap our places
I'd be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems

Said, if I only could
I'd make a deal with God
And I'd get him to swap our places
I'd be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems

So if I only could
I'd make a deal with God
And I'd get him to swap our places
I'd be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems

Said, if I only could
I'd be running up that hill
With no problems

(If I only could, I'd be running up that hill)
(If I only could, I'd be running up that hill)


Lyrics submitted by Novartza, edited by denishowe

Running Up That Hill Lyrics as written by Kate Bush

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Running Up That Hill song meanings
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  • +18
    General CommentUarg, look at Wikipedia:
    "The song itself has often been misinterpreted. Bush herself has said,

    “I was trying to say that, really, a man and a woman, can't understand each other because we are a man and a woman. And if we could actually swap each other's roles, if we could actually be in each other's place for a while, I think we'd both be very surprised! [Laughs] And I think it would lead to a greater understanding. And really the only way I could think it could be done was either... you know, I thought a deal with the devil, you know. And I thought, 'well, no, why not a deal with God!' You know, because in a way it's so much more powerful the whole idea of asking God to make a deal with you. You see, for me it is still called "Deal With God", that was its title. But we were told that if we kept this title that it would not be played in any of the religious countries, Italy wouldn't play it, France wouldn't play it, and Australia wouldn't play it! Ireland wouldn't play it, and that generally we might get it blacked purely because it had God in the title.”

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
    habaluluon March 12, 2012   Link
  • +6
    General CommentChris Warne's interpretation, with similar ones where the persona is alive (a la Flick), is perhaps the most beautiful. In the context of the other lyrics, "You won't be unhappy" makes the most sense under this interpretation.

    But try this: They are soul mates in an imperfect relationship -- are there perfect ones? The persona (say Kate), a seeker, has a most profound yearning for a union of souls. But they quarrel and misunderstand one another. In parlance, they push one another's buttons ("Is there so much hate for the ones we love?" -- thunder in their hearts: they argue). "It doesn't hurt me" because the soul mate's transgression is off the mark, irrelevant, because of a lack of understanding. Pushed the wrong button.

    Naturally they are different personalities. The partner is more earth-bound. Not writing songs. Probably in business or a profession (running up the road, hill, building). Stealing the moment means just listen to me because this is so important (really important to me right now).

    Now it becomes tricky. Is it out of bitterness, wanting to make a point, or self-sacrifice that "Kate" wants to make the deal with God? Does she know? Is the partner oblivious to the spiritual side and thus has "no problems?" That is, does it mean "Kate" sarcastically says she would have no problems if they switched? Or are they truly soul mates and Kate wishes the partner to flourish, no matter what?

    Here are my answers: No, there is not that much hate for the ones we love. That is just the way we are talking right now. We wouldn't quarrel so much if we could walk away. You know my problems and I know yours. Thank you, and thank God, for your offering to take my place. Would you let me take yours? I would if that were possible. Then you could have the joy of running up the hill whenever and as often as you like.
    NewAgeron January 12, 2007   Link
  • +3
    General CommentI thought that maybe it was about someone who was dying, not yet dead but on their way out, telling their partner that they're not afraid and not to worry for them...Im probably wrong. Just the impression I got
    Squeegon March 27, 2006   Link
  • +3
    General Commenti think that its about someone being really depressed, and suicidal

    and the narrator wants to help by change places.

    i think that "running up that hill" is kind of metaphoric, because generally running up a hill is difficult. and it could be in relation to the other persons feelings

    basically he is saying that he wants to swap places, and deal with the persons problems for them, and that


    You don't want to hurt me, (she's keeping something from him because she thinks it will hurt him)
    But see how deep the bullet lies. (but he knows that something is wrong)
    Unaware that I'm tearing you asunder.( he keeps asking her, and she doesnt want to say anything, because it hurts her too much.)
    There is thunder in our hearts, baby.(they both know that there's pain)
    So much hate for the ones we love?( he loves her, and wants to know what's wrong, but she wont say anything, and she hates him for bringing it up)
    Tell me, we both matter, don't we?(he want's to know what's wrong)

    running up that hill (dealing with the issues)
    with no problems, (he would do it quickly and without pain)

    it also makes me think that it could be about who was sexually abused, and when he 'loves her' he;s hurting her more, even though she says its okay.

    that's what i think.


    placeboheartson June 02, 2007   Link
  • +3
    Song MeaningI think at its heart, this a song about the nature of gender equality. It is a commentary on the 'woman as second class citizen' sentiment (You want to know it doesn't hurt me? Well, it does, and here's what I'm willing to do about it. Listen to this deal I'm working). Perhaps she's saying this notion stems from the belief that it has always been men who have changed the world. "God" has always been considered male. It was a man ( Jesus) who supposedly gave his life for humanity.

    I think she is offering to take that challenge - to sacrifice herself - in historical and modern contexts. If she only could, she'd make a deal with god to swap places with Jesus. She'd run up that road with a cross strapped to her back. She'd run up that hill (Golgatha, the place of the skulls, where Jesus was supposedly crucified). She'd run up that (office) building and forsake her family the way men have for generations. And she'd do it with no problem if that's what it takes for the world to value her (women) as we do men.
    Rod962on September 11, 2011   Link
  • +3
    Song MeaningKate Bush said this:

    "I was trying to say that, really, a man and a woman, can't understand each other because we are a man and a woman. And if we could actually swap each other's roles, if we could actually be in each other's place for a while, I think we'd both be very surprised! [Laughs] And I think it would lead to a greater understanding. And really the only way I could think it could be done was either... you know, I thought a deal with the devil, you know. And I thought, 'well, no, why not a deal with God!' You know, because in a way it's so much more powerful the whole idea of asking God to make a deal with you. You see, for me it is still called "Deal With God", that was its title. But we were told that if we kept this title that it would not be played in any of the religious countries, Italy wouldn't play it, France wouldn't play it, and Australia wouldn't play it! Ireland wouldn't play it, and that generally we might get it blacked purely because it had God in the title."
    ScarletFitchon September 30, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Commentits about the kates partner (maybe not specifically her) going through a hard time, but kate wishes she could change places with her partner and since she loves them so much she would get through that hard time 'running up that hill', not coz shes stronger but in a way, her love would give her the strength. Basically she wishes she could help them, but cant.
    Flickon October 10, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General CommentWhile this is a beautiful song, I have to say that I disagree with Kate's sentiments, the idea that men and women can't understand each other. Gender is such a small part of our psychological makeup, or so life has taught me, that it's only a barrier if you let it be. Or maybe that's the point? That it's not actually that hard to empathise if you just try?

    I think that, more than any of the double entendres in the lyrics, that's what makes it clear this song is very specifically about sex - because it's one of the very few circumstances in life where you *can't* experience things the way the other gender does.
    stygimolochon July 21, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General CommentThe struggle to trust in a relationship...
    enantiodromiaon April 27, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI love the lines:

    C'mon, baby, c'mon darling,
    Let me steal this moment from you now.
    C'mon, angel, c'mon, c'mon, darling,
    Let's exchange the experience, oh

    I know exactly what she means there... Like i completely get it
    Kezon April 13, 2005   Link

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