Entertainment • Music

Running Up That Hill

"Running Up That Hill" is a 1985 song by English singer-songwriter Kate Bush, originally released as the lead single from her fifth studio album, *Hounds of Love*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Running Up That Hill is a 1985 song by English singer-songwriter Kate Bush. It was released as the lead single from her fifth studio album, *Hounds of Love*, on 5 August 1985. The song, also known as Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God), gained renewed global popularity in 2022 after being featured in the fourth season of *Stranger Things*.

Background

The song was recorded for Kate Bush's 1985 album *Hounds of Love* and released as the album's lead single on 5 August 1985. It was originally associated with the subtitle "A Deal with God".

Meaning and lyrics

Bush described the song as being about a man and a woman who love each other but struggle to understand each other's feelings and insecurities. The central idea is that swapping places could improve empathy and clear up misunderstandings.

Commercial performance and legacy

The song was one of Bush's best-known releases and became her signature track for many listeners. It returned to global charts in 2022 after its use in *Stranger Things*, exposing it to a new audience. In Canada, the song also experienced renewed popularity in 2022 alongside its international resurgence.

Cultural impact

The song has been used in later media and has been covered by other artists, contributing to its continued visibility decades after release. Its resurgence in 2022 made it one of the best-known examples of a catalogue song revived by television.

Key facts

Released as the lead single from *Hounds of Love* in 1985.
Also titled "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)".
Lyrics imagine a man and a woman making a deal with God to exchange places.
Kate Bush wrote and produced the song herself.
Became widely popular again in 2022 after appearing in *Stranger Things*.

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Canadian context

The song had renewed popularity in Canada in 2022, alongside its international chart resurgence after being featured in *Stranger Things*.

Frequently asked questions

Who recorded "Running Up That Hill"?

It was recorded by English singer-songwriter Kate Bush.

When was "Running Up That Hill" released?

It was released on 5 August 1985 as the lead single from *Hounds of Love*.

What is the song about?

Bush said it is about a relationship in which a man and woman could swap places to better understand each other.

What album is it from?

It is from Kate Bush's fifth studio album, *Hounds of Love*.

Why did the song become popular again in 2022?

It re-entered public attention after being featured in the fourth season of *Stranger Things*.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_Up_That_Hill
Supports: Song title variant, release date, artist, album, production details, and lyrical premise.
Songfacts — https://www.songfacts.com/facts/kate-bush/running-up-that-hill-a-deal-with-god
Supports: Kate Bush's explanation of the song's meaning and its relationship theme.
Business Insider — https://www.businessinsider.com/running-up-that-hill-facts-kate-bush-song-stranger-things-2022-6
Supports: Album context and the song's renewed popularity after Stranger Things.
Kate Bush Encyclopedia — https://www.katebushencyclopedia.com/running-up-that-hill/
Supports: Writing history, lyrical meaning, and later media use.
Simple English Wikipedia — https://www.simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_Up_That_Hill
Supports: Release, chart performance, and Stranger Things resurgence.
SuperDeluxeEdition — https://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-kate-bushs-running-up-that-hill/
Supports: Alternate title history and EMI's renaming decision.