I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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 interpret this song as a person's post-breakup feelings. I first heard this version on a trailer for the movie Daybreakers; terrible movie but the song really struck me. Just to put my two cents in, I think Placebo's rendition rips the original to shreds. Kate Bush's version has a WAY different tone, and so I think it's safe to say Placebo had a much different interpretation of the lyrics than what Kate originally intended.
First, the "road, hill, and building" represents the process of getting through a tough seperation from a significant other. Running uphill is never easy, and the only goal of running uphill is to eventually "get over" (in this song's case, get over a failed relationship).
I think the meaning of the first two verses is pretty evident; the narrator implies that his feelings are being overlooked by the other person ("You wanna feel how it feels?, You wanna know, Know that it doesn't hurt me?"), and wishes an act of God to reverse the roles so she can see from his point of view. This understanding she may gain would allow him to find closure, and then they could start the process of moving on ("You and me, be running up that hill").
The third verse stars off with the lines, "You don't want to hurt me, but see how deep the bullet lies." The narrator is saying, "This wasn't your intention, but look at how this is killing me inside." The next line, however, ("Unaware that I'm tearing you asunder") is implying how he is blind to the fact that she is experiencing the same feelings, that she is also being torn apart by their separation just as much as he. The "thunder in our hearts" represents the discontent they are both feeling, rupturing the love they once felt. In the line "Tell me, we both matter, don't we?" the narrator wants confirmation from her that "Our relationship has significance, right?"
If he gets that confirmation, then they could then (again) find closure and they "won't be unhappy" any longer.
I think it's also interesting to note the very first line "It doesn't hurt me" acts like a statement, and when it is juxtaposed with "you wanna feel how it feels?" it implies that on the outside, the narrator may act like he's fine (for whatever reason, pride maybe?), but on the inside he is experiencing torment.
Interestingly, the narrator's feelings mirror my own.