Outside
Gets inside
Through her skin
I've been out before
But this time it's much safer in

Last night in the sky
Such a bright light
My radar send me danger
But my instincts tell me to keep

Breathing
(Out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing
Breathing my mother in
Breathing my beloved in
Breathing
Breathing her nicotine
Breathing
Breathing the fall-out in
Out in, out in, out in, out in

We've lost our chance
We're the first and the last, ooh
After the blast
Chips of plutonium
Are twinkling in every lung

I love my
Beloved, ooh
All and everywhere
Only the fools blew it
You and me
Knew life itself is

Breathing
(Out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing
Breathing my mother in
Breathing my beloved in
Breathing
Breathing her nicotine
Breathing
Breathing the fall-out in
Out in, out in, out in, out in
Out in, out in, out in, out
(Out, out, out)

(What are we going to do without)
Ooh please!
(What are we going to do without)
Let me breathe!
(What are we going to do without)
Ooh, breath in
(We are all going to die without)
Leave me something to breathe!
(What are we going to do without)
Oh, leave me something to breathe!
(We are all going to die without)
Oh, God, please leave us something to breathe!
(What are we going to do without)
Oh, life is

Overall Meaning

This song, "Breathing," by Kate Bush speaks to the feeling of being trapped in a post-apocalyptic world, one where the air outside is poisonous and the only thing left to do is breathe in the contaminated air. The singer acknowledges the danger but feels a sense of safety in breathing in the toxins, perhaps knowing that there is no other way to survive. In the chorus, she sings about breathing in her mother, her beloved, nicotine, and the fall-out. This can be interpreted as a way to hold onto something familiar and comforting amidst widespread destruction.

The verse that begins with "We've lost our chance" highlights the regret felt by the singer and those who brought about the apocalypse. They were "the first and the last," having brought about the end of their world. The chips of plutonium twinkling in every lung show the lasting effects of their actions, and the singer knows that they are all going to die without something as basic as air.

Line by Line Meaning

Outside
The external problems and dangers of life

Gets inside
These problems and dangers consume a person to the point where they emotionally consume them

Through her skin
The problems are penetrating deeply and hurting the person physically and mentally

I've been out before
The person has experienced these dangers and problems before

But this time it's much safer in
They feel more secure this time

Last night in the sky
The person witnessed something unusual happening in the world

Such a bright light
The event was extremely eye-catching and out of the ordinary

My radar send me danger
Despite lacking evidence or clear dangers, the person had a sense of impending doom

But my instincts tell me to keep
Despite the uncertainty, the person knows to go on breathing and living

Breathing
The basic human function of taking in air to survive

(Out, in, out, in, out, in)
The repetition of inhaling and exhaling air

Breathing my mother in
The person is taking in the essence of their mother, a figure of comfort and safety

Breathing my beloved in
The person is drawing in the emotional memories and feelings of their lover

Breathing her nicotine
The act of smoking and inhaling nicotine, which can be soothing or calming

Breathing the fall-out in
Inhaling radioactive particles, potentially due to a nuclear war or accident

We've lost our chance
The world may have missed its opportunity for change, whether that be through war, environmental degradation, or something else

We're the first and the last, ooh
Suggesting that the current generation may be the first and last before a major event or change in the world

After the blast
Referring to a nuclear explosion or war

Chips of plutonium
Harmful radioactive particles

Are twinkling in every lung
A vivid and terrifying image of the fallout affecting and harming every human's lungs

I love my
The pain and fear this person feels is mixed with deep love for those who are important to them

Beloved, ooh
Referring to their lover, who is paramount in their lives

All and everywhere
All facets of life

Only the fools blew it
The person feels that humans made mistakes in the past and irretrievably lost what could have been

You and me
The connection between the singer and the listener

Knew life itself is
An essential component for all

Ooh please!
A cry for mercy, for someone or something to help the person in the face of overwhelming fear and terror

Let me breathe!
A plea for the ability to continue living despite the odds stacked against them

(We are all going to die without)
A recognition of the inevitability of mortality and the fragility of human life

Leave me something to breathe!
Asking for a semblance of hope, something to hold onto despite the bleakness of the situation

Oh, leave me something to breathe!
A repetition of the prior line, a desperate and anguished plea

Oh, God, please leave us something to breathe!
Turning to a higher power, a prayer for salvation or at least a shred of hope

Oh, life is
A commentary on the fragility of life, the things we take for granted, and the moments of joy that make it all worthwhile

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATE BUSH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Steve Ender

4y↑92

Outside
Gets inside
Through her skin
I've been out before
But this time it's much safer in
Last night in the sky
Such a bright light
My radar send me danger
But my instincts tell me to keep
Breathing
(Out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing
Breathing my mother in
Breathing my beloved in
Breathing
Breathing her nicotine
Breathing
Breathing the fall-out in
Out in, out in, out in, out in
We've lost our chance
We're the first and the last, ooh
After the blast
Chips of plutonium
Are twinkling in every lung
I love my
Beloved, ooh
All and everywhere
Only the fools blew it
You and me
Knew life itself is
Breathing
(Out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing
Breathing my mother in
Breathing my beloved in
Breathing
Breathing her nicotine
Breathing
Breathing the fall-out in
Out in, out in, out in, out in
Out in, out in, out in, out
(Out, out, out)
Ooh please!
(What are we going to do without)
Let me breathe!
(What are we going to do without)
Ooh, breath in
(We are all going to die without)
Leave me something to breathe!
(What are we going to do without)
Oh, leave me something to breathe!
(We are all going to die without)
Oh, God, please leave us something to breathe!
(What are we going to do without)
Oh, life is
Source: LyricFind

Just a random shyness

Lyrics:-
Outside gets inside
Ooh-ooh, through her skin
I've been out before
But this time it's much safer in
Last night in the sky
Ooh-ooh, such a bright light
My radar send me danger
But my instincts tell me to keep
Breathing (out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing, breathing my mother in (out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing my beloved in (out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing, breathing her nicotine (out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing, breathing the fall (out, in, out, in, out, in)
Out, in, out, in, out, in, out, in, out, in
We've lost our chance
We're the first and last, ooh
After the blast, chips of plutonium
Are twinkling in every lung
I love my beloved, ooh
All and everywhere
Only the fools blew it
You and me knew life itself is
Breathing (out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing, breathing my mother in (out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing my beloved in (out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing, breathing her nicotine (out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing, breathing the fall (out, in, out, in, out, in)
Out, in, out, in, out, in, out, in, out, in
Out, in, out, in, out, in, out
Out, out, out, out
Difference between a small nuclear explosion
And a large one by a very simple method
The calling card of a nuclear bomb is the blinding flash
That is far more dazzling than any light on earth
Brighter even than the sun itself
And it is by the duration of this flash
That we are able to determine the size of the weapon (what are we going to do without?)
After the flash a fireball can be seen to rise
Sucking up under it the debris, dust and living things
Around the area of the explosion
And as this ascends, it soon becomes recognizable
As the familiar mushroom cloud
As a demonstration of the flash duration test
Let's try and count the number of seconds for the flash
Emitted by a very small bomb then a more substantial, medium sized bomb
And finally, one of our very powerful high yield bombs
What are we going to do without? (Ooh, please)
What are we going to do without? (Oh, let me breathe)
What are we going to do without? (Ooh, quick, breathe in deep)
We are all going to die without (oh, leave me something to breathe)
What are we going to do without? (Oh, leave me something to breathe)
We are all going to die without (oh God, please leave us something to breathe)
What are we going to do without? (Oh, life is)

franck varona

[Verse 1]
Outside gets inside
Through her skin
I've been out before
But this time it's much safer in
[Verse 2]
Last night in the sky
Such a bright light
My radar send me danger
But my instincts tell me to keep
[Chorus]
Breathing
Out, in, out, in, out, in
Breathing, breathing my mother in
Breathing my beloved in
Breathing, breathing her nicotine
Breathing, breathing the fallout in
Out, in, out, in, out, in, out, in
[Verse 3]
We've lost our chance
We're the first and the last, ooh
After the blast
Chips of Plutonium are twinkling in every lung
[Verse 4]
I love my beloved, ooh
All and everywhere
Only the fools blew it
You and me knew life itself is
[Chorus]
Breathing
Out, in, out, in, out, in
Breathing, breathing my mother in
Breathing my beloved in
Breathing, breathing her nicotine
Breathing, breathing the fallout in
Out in, out in, out in, out in
Out in, out in, out in, out...
Out... out... out... out... out...
[Bridge]
"In point of fact it is possible to tell the difference between a small nuclear explosion and a large one by a very simple method
The calling card of a nuclear bomb is the blinding flash that
Is far more dazzling than any light on earth - brighter even than the sun itself - and it is by the duration of this flash that we are able to determine the size of the weapon..."
What are we going to do without..?
"After the flash a fireball can be seen to rise, sucking up under it the debris, dust and living things around the area of the explosion and as this ascends, it soon becomes recognisable as the familiar 'mushroom cloud'. As a demonstration of the flash duration test, let's try and count the number of seconds for the flash emitted by a very small bomb; then a more substantial, medium-sized bomb; and finally, one of our very powerful 'high-yield' bombs."
[Outro]
What are we going to do without...
Ooh, please!
What are we going to do without..?
Let me breathe!
What are we going to do without..?
Ooh, quick!
We are all going to die without...
Breathe in deep!
What are we going to do without..?
Oh, leave me something to breathe!
We are all going to die without...
Oh, leave me something to breathe!
What are we going to do without..?
Oh, God, please leave us something to breathe!
We are all going to die without...
Oh, life is...

All comments from YouTube:

Sam Jackson

3y↑1K

Just realised that this is a song about a pregnant woman in a nuclear attack/blast. It’s about the baby’s point of view. It’s so dark and haunting and yet still so amazing!!!

Heyo!

3y↑30

Oh wow! I never thought of that

Old Vegan Gal

3y↑108

She was so far ahead of her time. Consider that Chernobyl happened 6 years after she recorded this song. We, of that generation, were the first to be constantly confronted with instant death or slow radiation poisoning from fallout. Basically, annihilation on a global scale. It was a genuine and existential fear. In the future, especially the distant future, archeologists will know the dividing line of when a human died based on their remains; prior to, or after, Chernobyl...it's in all of us now...forever.

Adela Tománková

3y↑13

Reminds me of the baby from Barefoot Gen!

Heidi Hans

3y↑30

Its about smoking whilst pregnant - " breathing, breathing your nicotine"

68 More Replies...

dancingduade

7y↑1K

The fact that she was only 21 when this was written and released just shows the quality of the artist.

McSlobo

5y↑53

According to one documentary she had made 100 songs by the age of 15. Of those she played "40 to 50" to David Gilmour so it's probably not just a legend.

MagicPants

5y↑21

McSlobo yeah I remember reading about the process of them culling songs down for The Kick Inside. She had like 100 songs by the time she recorded the first album lol

Pawn Hearts

5y↑9

dancingduade Best feamle prog artist

Fingers Crossed

5y↑5

I think all of her songs are to that quality tbf.

Pixel Mayhem

4y↑15

@MagicPants Just goes to show how much of a talent she is, and some artists today think they're so special when they only write half of what goes on their albums.

12 More Replies...

Pavleta a

3y↑337

This song got me out of a really bad acid trip once. Kate Bush telling me to breathe in and out was just what I needed.

A K

2y↑14

Maybe you shouldn’t do acid anymore. It’s not good to do drugs man. Love yourself and be high on life <3. Life is so much better with a clear mind

griffin cofell

2y↑28

@A K acid and other psychedelics have very few if any long term consequences and conversely can be used for a variety of medical purposes such as anti depressants. I have Tourette’s syndrome and acid is the only thing that helps mitigate the tics. Try not to judge without proper information. One bad trip doesn’t out weigh all the positive

Mike

2y↑1

Relatable

Data Two

2y↑1

@griffin cofell I have really come to regret not having been able to get over my own upbringing and try LSD or psilocybin when I was much younger. I never did any drugs, and could count on three fingers the amount of times I tried Mary. But now I am very old, and the real problem is that I am on a boat load of medications to control nerve pain from a late onset neurological condition on the left side of my brain. If I had known a lo more years ago, I would have not been such a stooge over it.

Candy Hunter

2y↑3

Don’t do acid my friend. I know this from experience. It’s not like it was in the 90’s mate.

10 More Replies...

stanislav 182000

1y↑3

I love it

Victoria Strelchuk

1y↑22

Listening to this in 2022, being a Ukrainian, hoping the imagery of the song stays in the song.

MrAriellara

1y↑6

She is a genius

Nellie S

2y↑204

This song just totally rips my heart out, especially at the end when you can hear how desperate she is for air. I absolutely adore the bass in this song, and I love the detail of the twinkling sound when she says "twinkling", it's just brilliant. Kate always writes songs about things that have never been written about before, and she gets so into character. I love this video!

Charlie Faege

2y↑8

Pete Seegar wrote I Come and Stand At Every Door, a song about a 7-year-old ghost-child warning about the dangers of nuclear war. It is chilling, to say the least.

Faust

2y↑6

If you like this fretless base style, Thomas Dolby - The Flat Earth has a lot of music similar in sound to that. Also another super slept on artist from the same time period.

Artigos de Banheiro do Nada Pessoal

2y↑5

hey have you ever heard frank zappa's ' apostrophe? It has lots of sound illustrations for the things he actually is saying on the song. Like in the case of this twinkling. Also, kate was a great fan this man works.

Candy Hunter

2y↑2

Beautiful words xx

Scott Towns

1y↑2

"Chips of plutonium / Twinkling in ev'ry lung" is masterful poetry!

Marc

1y↑15

I really like this song. Only discovered it a few months ago. It's very atmospheric. I was not even alive when Kate was doing this. She is possibly the best songwriter I've ever heard.
Enchanting.🙂

Adam Swanepoel

2y↑47

This song is too good for words to describe it. She is the most innovative and incredible female signer of all time

James Walker

1y↑14

1977/2023 and we still love listening to you!Kate Bush your music lives on in our hearts there will never be another Kate Bush who's listening 2023?

David Armstrong

2y↑56

This gives me Goosebumps every time I hear it and 40 years later it has renewed meaning for us all.

Tony Rogers

1y↑10

At nearly 58 years of age I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face listening to this. There are artistes that can touch a part of your soul, Kate Bush is one of them.

Faust

2y↑200

Glad Kate is being appreciated by the current generation due to Stranger Things having played her. Long time coming. She was super slept on.

James Devine

1y↑1

I mean she did have several number 1s to be fair but yeah deserves a lot of respect

tmage23

1y↑5

@James Devine Not in the US. She's always been kind of a cult artist here. Hounds of Love barely entered the US top 40 back in 1985 and it was her biggest hit.

James Devine

1y↑1

@tmage23 Oh yeah fair enough, I hadn't thought of the US

0ne.p01nt.zer0 Zer0

1y↑3

Slept on ? By who? Kate bush is of legendary status...

natalie a

2y↑47

After 25 years still I get tears when I listen to her masterpieces

Vickie

2y↑21

Kate bush is more than just a singer and songwriter she’s a performance artist she’s such a beautiful amazing and talented human being . She brings such calm feelings every time she sings and hear her voice . #LoveYouKateBush ♥️♥️♥️

isobel james

2y↑1

Writer composer and producer

Samuele Callegari

2y↑79

This song is so dark, probably one of the darkest in Bush's discography. And that ending is so powerful, she was really singing at the top of her lungs!

Poppy Field

6y↑51

I remember hearing this song for the first time and being completely spellbound particularly because at the time there was much talk of Nuclear war in the 80's - there was a lot of fear. It is frightening song especially when the man's voice comes in talking about what to do in the event of hearing the warning siren..sends chills down my spine, even now.

M K

2y↑27

Kate Bush is just freaking brilliant, period. 😃💖🙏

Octagon9

1y↑1

joy

Elisa Zaccaria

Yes

luc honey

2y↑71

I think this has to be one of the greatest songs ever. I think it is masterfully crafted and incredibly clever.

The "out in" I think has to be one of the most simply brilliant lines of music ever. Yes it represent breathing but it's abnormal. Conventially, we think breathing as being in then out. But that implies that we are breathing in healthy air. In this song, the persona kate has taken on (the baby) has no healthy air to breath in because of the fallout and so is left only able to breath out first. And when we think of the lack of healthy air, every time we hear that out in we are reminded that every breath out is a breath closer to death until eventually we are presented with the desperation. Kate is screaming for something to breath and then the song ends on that sucking inhale sound. It's the character trying desperately to breath in anything.

But to no avail and the song ends.

Kate is a literally genius.

vox qui vive

1y↑3

Yessssss! The unnatural 'Out in' refrain almost makes me lose my own breath!

Terry Smith

1y↑5

"Breathing the Fall-Out in, out, in, out, in.." simply brilliant and haunting lyrics

Kaltrina Loshi

😅😮😮h

MrJohnnyPash

1y↑7

Simply one of the best songs of all-time. And that vocal is just so stirring and incredible. To think its was only 2 years since Wuthering Heights... Kate bounding ahead!

Steve Ender

4y↑92

Outside
Gets inside
Through her skin
I've been out before
But this time it's much safer in
Last night in the sky
Such a bright light
My radar send me danger
But my instincts tell me to keep
Breathing
(Out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing
Breathing my mother in
Breathing my beloved in
Breathing
Breathing her nicotine
Breathing
Breathing the fall-out in
Out in, out in, out in, out in
We've lost our chance
We're the first and the last, ooh
After the blast
Chips of plutonium
Are twinkling in every lung
I love my
Beloved, ooh
All and everywhere
Only the fools blew it
You and me
Knew life itself is
Breathing
(Out, in, out, in, out, in)
Breathing
Breathing my mother in
Breathing my beloved in
Breathing
Breathing her nicotine
Breathing
Breathing the fall-out in
Out in, out in, out in, out in
Out in, out in, out in, out
(Out, out, out)
Ooh please!
(What are we going to do without)
Let me breathe!
(What are we going to do without)
Ooh, breath in
(We are all going to die without)
Leave me something to breathe!
(What are we going to do without)
Oh, leave me something to breathe!
(We are all going to die without)
Oh, God, please leave us something to breathe!
(What are we going to do without)
Oh, life is
Source: LyricFind

Rafael Camargo

9y↑775

"God, please leave us something to breathe!!"

Chills down my spine. Every. Single. Time.

Bfdidc

9y↑46

Rafael Camargo Yes, it's a rather chilling song when you listen to the lyrics. Let's all just hope that it remains just a song.

Paulo Constantino

lol why ?

Martin Schnelle

5y↑12

@Paulo Constantino "Chips of plutonium are twinkling in every lung" - sounds quite chilling to me.

Sean Patterson

5y↑10

Powerful heartbreaking dream like and chilling ..that description of the effects of a bomb in different sizes sends my heart into panic mode

Birdie

2y↑1

How close this could be to reality now in March 2022

1 More Replies...

Dr Mathias's Extravaganza

1y↑4

Pure genius.

PALME RUMMET

1y↑7

Kate Bush is one of the best singers songwriters and music producers of our time!

Patrick Laureys

3y↑100

I got this on a cassette tape back in 1980. It was so haunting, with the Cold War running in the background. Now it seems to get a new meaning.

Jenni c-n

2y↑7

Even moreso nowadays (March 2022).

socpa

Climate change

Jason H

06/04/2023 Very much so. Really well said.

Ariel Couch

8y↑2.2K

Is it possible we can compliment Kate's brilliant work without insulting other female artists? Because it should be totally possible, even easy.

Adam Welton

8y↑8

That's because there's nobody else who lived through a possible Third World War..

Varsha Patel

8y↑44

Annie Lennox is pretty good so is Alison moyet

IridescentEye

8y↑11

With the exception of everyone here today.

Ungoliant Marauder

7y↑36

Ariel Couch You can do it insulting male artists too. Actually, it is way easier to insult male artists.

Old Vegan Gal

7y↑44

I turned 30 in 1994. I am so very glad because I actually experienced something we used to call alternative music as it was happening. I had all of her records; and, after all these decades, I still have some of her vinyl. It sounds relevant and amazing whenever I spin it on the old turntable :) Welcome to all you new Kate Bush fans :D

74 More Replies...

Rome

2y↑12

I just got finished with the movie Threads (1984) it depicts before, during and after a nuclear war including nuclear winter. A specific scene stood out to me and it hit on a different level of emotion. There was a pregnant mother and her parents along with her sick dying grandmother in their home of rubble. Crying, her mother urges her to eat for the baby. She says “I don’t care about this baby anymore, I wish it was dead. All this radiation I’m breathing in, I’m always breathing.”
“Im always breathing.” Such a painful scene

DarthMacchio

7y↑546

THE most amazing female musician of all time. No question.

nickpriech

4y↑8

Agreed!!

Carpe Omnia

4y↑10

Love her and Stevie, they both made life more enjoyable

Carpe Omnia

4y↑3

Make

Lucy Rigby

4y↑4

@Carpe Omnia Same!😊💓

Ok

4y↑2

Amen

22 More Replies...

A. T.

2y↑34

Kate devastates me still with her pure raw talent and depth. Few artists do for me. This was and so sadly is & will always be relevant - it’s truly incomprehensible the destruction humans create. I cry from her pleas. Let the loud voices of us peacekeepers prevail so that all life may.

Emergent Form

2y↑2

I concur. She has brought me to tears more times than I can even count. And I'm mainly an extreme metal fan.

Octagon9

might be wrong cause idk her but seems she might have went thro a lot and overcame it to point much didn’t phase her
tho she dealt with deep subjects matters and things such as these giving it all and it shows.
but could be completely wrong tho this the impression i get

Heathcakes

9y↑636

Just listened to this for the first time and couldn't stop crying. I've been a fan of Wuthering Heights for a long time, but just started checking out Kate's other music out today. and WOW it's brilliant.

Armagedonnis

9y↑27

You mean, "wow" the song, or "wow, that's good!"?

Heathcakes

9y↑24

+Matt Vlogs I mean "WOW" Kate is amazing and all of her music is inspired and brilliant.

Armagedonnis

9y↑4

haha! Brilliant!

Angela Baker

9y↑11

+Purple Rain welcome to her music been big fan for years check out her album hounds of love that a good one one of my favs

Gemini Gypsy

8y↑15

Wow is an amazing song 👌🏻

13 More Replies...

Peter Phil Stacey

2y↑13

The complete song... thing is she's achieved that many times... it is incredible how really talented she is... thank you so much Kate..

ray cornford

4y↑239

Probably the most beautiful and unique 'protest' song ever written.

Ryan

4y↑4

I would go out on a wimb and say you are 100% correct. The levels of depth this gets at is not easily rivaled.

t rod

4y↑1

What does reviled mean?

Caden Moran

4y↑3

@t rod "officially agree to or accept as satisfactory"

david king

protest about nuclear war is bad lol

Data Two

2y↑1

It truly is one of the most profound and powerful comments on the idiocy of the idea of total annihilation.

J. K.

4y↑37

To find this song at the end of the Never For Ever album was and is for me something hard to deal with. I mean the structure, the tone, but most of all the emotional impact the song has, so very distant from the other tracks on the album. It's like looking at our solar system and recognising the consistancy of the different celestial bodies and then outside this well balanced system you discover a blackhole or something else so different and grand...When I play the album, I never play this track and vice versa. It stands on its own and does a great job with that. A very important song which to me describes the unrest felt during the early eighties with a nuclear race going on between The Soviet Union and The United States during the cold war. Living in Western Europe at the time was living with anxiety. Missiles were directly aimed at us.
To know Kate wrote it at such an early age and have it recorded in just three days... she knew where she wanted to go with it. No doubt about it.

You enjoy seeing suffering

50w↑1

I love this comment so much

X.arkmadeir

51w↑4

This is genius, favorite 🙏🙏

Martine

40w

Oui 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Abraão Martins

3y↑70

first time watching this music video and i'm literally ecstatic. this woman is such an incredible force of nature, a genius artist, i can't even...

Bertrand Kurt Russell

2y↑8

Discovering Kate Bush for the first time is a great moment in life.

Richard Fairlamb

2y↑5

Absolutely, an amazing genius artist. She still is.

flatonia

7y↑277

At 4:23 the people in the white gowns wading in the river is reminiscent of accounts of victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The victims wading because everything else was in flames and they were suffering from burns. This is Kate at near her peak, IMO. A haunting masterpiece.

Johnna Oliver

6y↑13

flatonia yes she featured this relating to ww2 because there were nuclear bomb threats back in 79-85. By 84 people were horrified because ww3 was highly possible and other countries were about to drop bombs on the USA. It was a very uneasy time. The first documentary about nuclear and atomic bombs was written. And the newspaper businesses printed out thousands - millions of informative pamphlets about how to build an in-ground bomb shelter. People were so frightened that pop culture took part in spreading awareness. Like Kate Bush.

flatonia

5y↑2

I appreciate the response Johanna. It seems strange to me that nuclear weapons were still at the forefront of activism by entertainers and artists in the 80s - a decade after detente, but yes, there were fears.

Carter pulled out of the Olympics on the basis of Human Rights violations, and Reagan was promising to reignite the arms race with Star Wars.

Johnna Oliver

5y↑2

flatonia What are you getting at rn? I'm sorry just a bit confusing. Firstly no matter how far in the future, everyone will remember atomic and nuclear bombings. Even thousands of years later if we still exist and if these times weren't lost somehow in the historical timeline. People will forever talk about it and make art? And Star Wars? What about Star Wars has anything to do with this stuff? How does pure fiction actually relate? I'm sorry... I'm just very confused not meaning to offend in any way.

flatonia

5y↑4

I can see how it would be confusing. Let me keep it simple. The fear of nuclear war was greater in the 60's. We almost got there. I lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis. I'm speaking of my experience and perspective.

The fear of nuclear accidents at power plants was greater in the 80's, and at least in the U.S., that's where the brunt of the activism was directed.

I mentioned Carter and Reagan to agree that certain actions DID heighten tension between the US and the then USSR.

Zac Mumblethunder

5y↑9

I was born in the UK in 64 and grew up in an atmosphere of "when the bomb drops" not "if". This continued until the fall of the Berlin wall. It seemed certain the the USA and USSR were going to push each other over the brink. There were several documentaries in that time about the effects of nuclear war. Then two dramatised documentary films were shown. First was "The War Game" made in the late sixties but deemed too frightening for broadcast until the eighties when it was shown one night and "Threads" the next. The latter was newly made and is truly horrific even now.

8 More Replies...

Certified_pyt

2y↑15

This song gets me through tough times. Kate tells me to keep breathing.

JulesKel1

9y↑18

The part from 4:12 to 5:00 takes the song to another level, incredible.

NNN 123

i hear it sis..

World Turning

4y↑2

JulesKel1 it really does. I always found it one of the most moving, scary, impactful pieces of music I ever heard in the pop-rock genre

marajadefire77

9y↑771

To me she is the ultimate human being. Acutely sensitive and uniquely creative with the right instinct for when to say no to unnecessary demands. Kind, thoughtful, intelligent and with a beauty that glows internally and externally. Wish all women were allowed to be sweet, powerful, beautiful, clever and also to release their inner screaming banshee!

Aa Ry

8y↑3

+marajadefire77

mmm yessss XD
She's amazing!

jcmmanuel

8y↑15

+marajadefire77 "To me she is the ultimate human being" - How beautifully said. So true.

Reason1717

8y↑17

+marajadefire77 Your words are fine and high praise. Well said. I would hope Ms. Bush gets to read such thoughts as yours. And furthermore you are not alone.

Samantha S

8y↑11

+marajadefire77 "Wish all women were allowed to be sweet, powerful, beautiful, clever and also to release their inner screaming banshee!" Hear, hear!

Steven Stratton

8y↑5

Yes she is a truly unique artiste. Part Earth mother, part Temptress, part Angel, part alien and and a whole lot more beside.....

20 More Replies...

Ros Smith

2y↑4

epic talent.

trev vincent

4y↑46

Listening to this for the first time in about 30 years and still scares me how much artistry, foresight, passion and conviction exists in this song.

mvellis

5y↑9

The song is a flat-out masterpiece. Who else but Kate could come up with such a relevant, sobering, and engaging musical commentary from the viewpoint of a pre-born fetus, and make it work so incredibly well? I always thought this song was the artistic high point of her early career, and a precursor of amazing things to come.

Isauro Alfredo Bañuelos

3y↑10

Her music always gives me late pink Floyd vibes I love it

Boogietized

2y↑2

David Gilmour pretty much discovered her and helped launch her career. I agree, she does have shades of Floyd in how experimental and creative she is not only with lyrical content but composition and overdubbing. She's truly an amazing artist.

Matt Howe

48w↑5

John Giblin. Your Bass playing contribution to this recording is so profound & well considered (as always) to this haunting masterpiece by Kate. A tragic loss to the music world. RIP

Beats2deep

2y↑93

"breathing my mother in" fuckin genius lyrics them she was amazing no one can replicate kate bush

M K

Agreed, and she still is amazing!!! 😃👍

Jon Flynn

12y

Kate Bush was and still is a truly great artist. I was honoured to see her live once it was unforgettable. I always loved Breathing and used to love dancing to it, believe it or not, its just so beautiful.

Thrashed

3y↑25

It's my "Kate-Binge" night, again, and this is such a super song & REALLY love the ending! Still loving Kate since 1979!

LVCEM

8y↑25

All of her work is just pure magic... Cant believe such a talent is so ignored in our days... Greetings from Brazil

Nicole Balderson

2y↑5

I love her music,her voice, her imagery, the poetry, and the motion this gives me. It makes me want to growl/ scream! Yes!

another_internet_person

2y↑10

One of the best tracks ever written

Becky

7y↑372

Seriously, the vocals at the end are what I live for, how powerful

Sawbones Quad

6y↑16

chills from that backing vocal

Paulo Constantino

5y↑2

you are odd

Yuri Teixeira

5y↑8

Roy Harper (who also sings lead on Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar" ) provided the male vocals on this one.

Andy's East Coast

4y↑6

Gives me the chills & goosbumps when it kicks in. Reminds me of Pink Floyd

Christian

3y↑2

This sounds like something out of The Wall or The Final Cut.

4 More Replies...

Mel Mortimer

1y↑5

A classic . One of the very best ever tracks written ..and brilliantly done by Kate Bush .. breathing ....Melanie 33 ❤️🌈

Judith Hill

2y↑44

A song for the times. Then, and now.

Homeworld Music

sadly true

Mike Lykan.

42w↑1

Even Kate Bush’s darkest song’s are like a warm blanket on a freezing cold day. She’s other worldly.

Kevin McDonagh

1y↑5

Kate is incredible in every way. I feel lucky to be alive in her time. Wonderful.

Gina Oconnell

2y↑14

She is the most amazing artist and shares messages in her songs, listen carefully, we have to wake up, God Bless ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Kaylee Winspear

Yea there is hidden messages even in the cloud busting one I love how you said this !!!!! ♥️♥️

Sophia B

God bless!

Amanda Woolcock

12y↑3

First time I heard Kate's music, I did really get it but now I am addicted to her! It's just so beautiful! I felt the same way when I heard Emilie Autumn & Florence + the Machine two artist who I think would defiantly be influenced by her.

thisisme

2y↑6

It would be completely amazing if this was Kate's next song to go viral! In my opinion, it's got a more important and alarming message of where humanity and the future of civilization is heading towards. Especially since it's a song that is protesting against the Nuclear Holocaust. It should also be heard by the cold hearted world "Leaders" we have currently.

But besides that, it's very beautiful too. Just like the legendary artist, the one and only Kate Bush. 💖

44Wynter

3y↑12

Somewhere between brilliance and genius. Peerless in terms of the sheer audacity of her music produced at such a young age. Few female musicians even come close. The album 'The kick Inside' is a masterpiece. How on earth did a teenager conceive of this music? One of my Desert Island Discs, without a doubt.

Seppie Lynn

5y↑66

I love how Kate moves with such purpose. She doesn't waste a motion.

Octagon9

shes naturally fluid in mind cement
can’t be taught

Kristin Pedemonti

4y↑35

Her voice, her artistry, so ahead of her time.

FrostSpike

3y↑1

Not seen much to match our Kate over the last 40 years. Rarely see anyone with her capability in song writing.

Garth Price

41w↑1

Think I've got an idea why Kate was pretty much overlooked by radio station management in America - cowardice. This masterpiece by Kate goes for the gut and rips your heart out at the same time. Plus, the lyrics were as valid, then, as they are, now. Bravo Kate.

roof

2y↑7

Truly one of her best songs<3

manco82

1y↑6

She was just 21 when she put this song out. These days 21 year olds are still kids.

OhWowCards

11y↑1

Just an awesome song so ahead of her time she is a complete genius

Cara Woollon

12y↑1

I used to not be able to hear or watch the video with out breaking down into tears when I was little. I only just got back into Kate Bush I used to hate her but now I've realised just how amazing her music is.

brad johnson

3y↑5

Stunning song. Hits you thru to the core. 30 years later and still hard no to tear up

Fernando Costa

44w↑1

Sempre me emociono no final. Lindo!

Michael KING

2y↑8

I absolutely adore this song

CelticWales

2y↑14

This and Two Suns in the Sunset (Pink Floyd) are probably the best anti-nuclear weapons songs written. Very original to tell a story of nuclear war from the point of view of a featus

Vítor Pardal

2y↑1

And what about missiles of The Sound? Those songs are perfect

CelticWales

2y↑1

@Vítor Pardal oooh I never heard that long before. Thanks for putting me onto it, it is very good!

Ange MusiK

2y↑5

Um gênio! Uma mente diferente e brilhante. É o que Kate representa pra mim.

Aramanth

8y↑47

Operatic, ethereal and sublime!! Kate is beyond simple pop realities.

Tom Ripley

9y↑26

Those drums at 'Last night....' still make shivers run down my spine after all this time.

Barry Grozner

9y↑3

I was reading your comment at exactly the moment those drums came in. Brilliant. Moments of Pleasure when she sings Just Being Alive does it for me.

Scouse in the house

47w↑1

Outstanding performance love her music and arts

Sharon Egan

2y↑7

She’s an absolute legend ❤️

Homer Simpson

4y↑4

Still gives me chills after all these decades.

Fernando Vieira

44w↑1

Dear Lady Kate Bush,
THANK YOU for so Many Magical Songs You gave us through the last 45 years.

😃 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

(From Brazil)

wastelandnumberseven

2y↑11

this is remarkable, a work of art

miguel

1y↑4

OMG I love this woman.😍💗

CGMH18

1y↑3

So beautiful.

d mixon

Heard Kate Bush for the first time around 1986 and fell in love immediately. This was always and still my favorite of hers. Just dinged 50 years old and it has the same impact it did when I was 14.

morgasm26

2y↑34

I'm pretty sure this lady is a witch and can see through time.. I'm pretty sure I heard this song before I was even born and in a way I feel like it's like a theme song for my life.. I'm not sure how it popped up in my playlist but ever since I first heard this song It gave me feelings like I've been here before.. just like certain other songs I've heard from the 60's.. I think music is magic.. and sometimes it transcends space and time.. after discovering this song on my play list and then hearing that other song of hers from stranger things.. it feels like it is calling me in a way.. Im an 80's baby.. I can't even articulate what im trying to say here.. I just think this lady is magical and whether she knew it or not she has transcended space and time with her music.. I think that's why it's so unique.. my soul has leveled up and I understand the power of music even more than I did before.. because it is a power.. music.. I think I remember how to time travel..

Nadja Lüthi

2y↑2

it wouldn't surprise me if she was a witch she sure knows magic and weaves it into her songs

Internallydeadofficial

2y↑1

I know exactly what you are trying to express. I too have felt this.

Just a random shyness

franck varona

Julie Chambers

2y↑4

A brilliant artistic story teller. I’m obsessed with everything Kate Bush right now! If she hasn’t led you to Willheim Reich (background of Cloudbusting song) then I suggest that be your next stop! Thanks Stranger Things 🖤

IK bün Ostfrees

2y↑14

She called IT "her little Opera". I LOVE it, and often IT brings Tears in my eyes. GREAT Song.
Greetings from Germany, O

kurt lee

2y↑1

That song was fire! I'll be OBSESSED with Kate Bush for a couple years before it becomes added to my everyday favs.

Greg07623

12y

Either you get Kate and she and her incredible music totally own you for the rest of your life, or you dont get her and go back to music that never makes you count past 4 and that you can sing along with on the first hearing. If she has a sound in her mind that can't be filled with an instrument already in existence, then she'll create it. That's how involved she is with her art. No one since Adolf Sax can claim that.

Canaan

11y↑6

This is too beautiful- every time she sings 'breathing my mother in' it just moves me

TheMinerva82

12y

She is inspirational and incredibly talented, no-one like her in my humble opinion (and I guess that's what it all comes down to!). I love her til my last breath. (and Freddie!)

bgfd1

10y↑14

Pure art. Pure genius of this media. What a talent.

Grant Muir

9y↑28

Perfection. Does anyone produce gripping music like this now? No!

adamiusrex

Have you listened to The War on Drugs?

adamiusrex

M.G.M.T.?

Octagon9

i really hate to say this so i won’t regarding this but yes no

Antti Kuosmanen

1y↑4

Nothing more to say. Absolutely fantastic!

Kent Mains

8y↑144

You never know when on an album Kate is going to give you a gut punch, she waited until the last minute on this one.

vdochev

5y↑1

That was one of the best albums I've ever heard along with Physical Graffiti and Dark side of the Moon.

ViolenciaRivas

You've got to be kidding!! Forever and Ever is such a good album

Kent Mains

4y↑2

@ViolenciaRivas Um, the album is titled Never For Ever.

ViolenciaRivas

@Kent Mains mistakes can happen, otherwise I wouldn even be here. Still, I stand by what I said, before breathing comes army dreamers, such a good song!

John Doe

2y↑1

The second half of that album is a wonderful descent into darkness. Probably her third best album

afchoratio

3y↑2

The ultimate earworm. I have had this wonderful song on my brain for days and days. No idea why. Love Kate Bush.

Clara

3y↑7

How has this woman never sang an opening song for a James Bond movie?

cuckoofan

2y↑1

Actually she was asked to sing the main theme for "Moonraker", which she declined as she was too busy recording "Never for Ever", the album that features "Breathing".