The Resurgence of Rock Icon Kate Bush Among Gen Z

There’s never been a bad time for a female rock revival – whether it’s Debbie Harry, Stevie Nicks or Kate Bush – the newest generation of fans are experiencing the thrills of indulging in their new favorite nostalgic rock figures. 

British icon Kate Bush is the latest phenomenon in modern rock history experiencing a revival in the charts as her hit single “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” is featured in Stranger Things season four. Fans of Bush and Stranger Things can hear “Running Up That Hill” throughout the season as Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) uses the song as an escape mechanism to save her friends and the rest of Hawkins from Vecna, a killer entity from the Upside Down. The emotionally-driven scenes feature a showdown between Max and Vecna to the soundtrack of Bush’s hit, which happens to be Max’s favorite song. 

Following the premiere of the fourth season, “Running Up That Hill” became the top-selling and most streamed title in the U.S. according to Variety. This earned Bush her first No.1 single in the U.K. since 1978 and her first top 10 in the U.S. The song has been topping Billboard charts and remains in the top 10 on both iTunes and Spotify. CBS reports that the song has earned Bush over $2.3 million in streaming royalties since Stranger Things premiered. 

Bush released a statement on her website expressing her love and amazement for the show that’s set in the 80s, which was when Bush released her fifth studio album Hounds of Love (1985). “The response to ‘Running Up That Hill’ is something that has had its own energy and volition. A direct relationship between the shows and their audience and one that has stood completely outside of the music business. We’ve all been astounded to watch the track explode! Thanks so much to everyone who has supported the song and a really special thank you to the Duffer Brothers for creating something with such heart,” Bush writes. 

The independently-produced song heightens nostalgia as synth-driven ballads, big hair and whimesigoth fashion are making a bigger comeback than ever – and it just goes to show that Bush’s music transcends time and microtrends. Bush said that listeners can interpret the song in whatever way they please, but originally it was written as the idea of a man and a woman swapping places with each other to feel things from each other’s perspectives. Listeners can hear this in the lyrics, “And if I could, I’d make a deal with God / And I’d get him to swap our places.” The song’s original title “A Deal With God” was worrisome as it referred to religion, so her label changed it to “Running Up That Hill.” In Bush’s mind, the song will forever be called “A Deal With God.”

Hounds of Love is Bush’s self-produced fifth album that embraced beauty, radical synth exploration and themes of religion, murder and queer subjects. Proven to be a timeless masterpiece, Bush’s vocals manage to range from utterly beautiful to beautifully raw. Her myriad use of folk influences and theatrics create a unique sound as she expertly captures concepts of romance and the duality of life through a darker lens. Hounds of Love evokes a sense of mystery between the balance of light and dark, as well as the balance of beauty and eccentricity. The entire discography is beautifully dramatic and a testament to her deliriously weird aesthetics. Multiple charting musicians such as Björk, St. Vincent and countless others have credited Bush as a major influence in their sounds.

Being introduced to a new generation is rewarding for Bush. “What’s really wonderful is that this is a whole new audience, who in a lot of cases, they’d never heard of me, and I love that. The thought of all these really young people hearing this song for the very first time and discovering it – I think it’s very special,” Bush said. 

Last year, Bush’s song “Babooshka” experienced a revival through TikTok as users showed off their vintage fashion finds that featured styles similar to Bush’s with a mystical take on the traditional gothic aesthetic, combined with a fascination with witchcraft and a grungy moodiness. 

So how come every year Gen Z chooses a new female rock figure to bring back into the limelight? We recently saw Dolly Parton, Joan Jett and Stevie Nicks all over our social media feeds, but the truth is, the love for a perfect nostalgic anthem never fades away as we can find comfort in our disposable pop culture. Hounds of Love continues to be a testament of Bush’s incredible artistic success. 

Stranger Things ushered in a renaissance for the progressive rock goddess Kate Bush, now we hope her musical stylings and transcendental lycrism will be running up the charts decades from now and be adored by new generations of listeners to follow.