Bush began writing songs at 11. She was signed to EMI Records after Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour helped produce a demo tape. Her debut album, The Kick Inside, was released in 1978. Bush slowly gained artistic independence in album production and has produced all her studio albums since The Dreaming (1982). She took a hiatus between her seventh and eighth albums, The Red Shoes (1993) and Aerial (2005). Bush drew attention again in 2014 with her concert residency Before the Dawn, her first show since 1979's The Tour of Life.
The TV series "Stranger Things" used Bush's "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" in Season 4. As a result of the resurgence of interest, in 2022 the song reached #1 on the UK charts, 37 years after its initial release, and generated 100s of millions of streams.
Bush's eclectic and experimental musical style, unconventional lyrics, performances, and literary themes have influenced a diverse range of artists. She has been nominated for 13 British Phonographic Industry accolades, winning for Best British Female Artist in 1987, and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards. In 2002, Bush was recognized with an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. Bush was appointed a CBE in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to music. She was nominated three times for induction in the 2018, 2021, and 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Dali
Kate Bush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lives senora Dali alone.
And higher still
She keeps her gallery.
Distance means nothing to me.
A-ee-aha-ee-aha-oo,
A-ee-aha-ee-aha-oo...
Debris everywhere,
Gazing. It's amazing.
Ferry me over,
Ferry me over,
Ferry me over
The music, Dali.
Deeper here lies hidden answers and treasures for him.
"Oh, I prefer absence," said she,
"My heart grows fonder alone."
A-ee-aha-ee-aha-oo,
A-ee-aha-ee-aha-oo...
Debris everywhere,
Gazing. It's amazing.
Ferry me over,
Ferry me over,
Ferry me over
The music, Dali.
The lyrics to Kate Bush's song "Dali" are full of surreal imagery and disjointed fragments that create a sense of confusion and uncertainty. The song opens with a reference to a woman named Senora Dali, who lives alone in Castille and keeps a gallery "higher still." The singer claims that "distance means nothing to me," suggesting that they are drawn to this woman and her work despite the physical separation between them.
The chorus is a repeated series of incomprehensible syllables, which only adds to the feeling of disorientation. It's as if the singer is caught up in some kind of trance, unable to make sense of the world around them. There are hints of danger and destruction ("debris everywhere"), but also a sense of wonder ("gazing, it's amazing").
The final lines of the song suggest that Dali holds some kind of secret knowledge or hidden treasure, but she prefers to keep it to herself. The singer seems to be both drawn to and repelled by her solitary existence, unsure if they should seek her out or leave her alone. Overall, "Dali" is a haunting and enigmatic song that refuses to be pinned down or interpreted too easily.
Line by Line Meaning
High, in Castille,
In the region of Castille, stands a grand estate that belongs to senora Dali.
Lives senora Dali alone.
Senora Dali lives all by herself in the great mansion in Castille.
And higher still
High up, even above her home, is where she has her gallery.
She keeps her gallery.
Senora Dali has a personal art gallery that she maintains and keeps secured.
Distance means nothing to me.
The great distance between where she is and where the person making the statement is, is of little relevance to senora Dali.
A-ee-aha-ee-aha-oo,
Musical interlude, no particular meaning.
Debris everywhere,
Broken bits of various objects are scattered all around senora Dali's place.
Gazing. It's amazing.
Although there is debris everywhere, anyone would still be amazed by the wonder of the place when they arrive.
Ferry me over,
Bring me across to the other side, perhaps to senora Dali's place in Castille.
The music, Dali.
A reference to the music of senora Dali and how it sounds, although there is nothing more to glean from the line.
Deeper here lies hidden answers and treasures for him.
There are truths and riches that await those who are brave enough to seek them out in the place of senora Dali.
"Oh, I prefer absence," said she,
Senora Dali expresses that she likes being alone, away from anyone else, when addressing her preference.
"My heart grows fonder alone."
The more she spends time alone, the more senora Dali grows attached to it and finds it appealing.
A-ee-aha-ee-aha-oo,
Musical interlude, no particular meaning.
Debris everywhere,
Similar to previous use of this line, it refers to the various bits of ruin and rubble found around senora Dali's home.
Gazing. It's amazing.
The debris is still there and amazing to whoever comes across it.
Ferry me over,
Same as previous use.
The music, Dali.
Reiteration of an earlier line for musical effect.
Contributed by Bella K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chucks1255
For over a year now Kate's music has been like a drug to me, I crave the bliss her voice gives me.
@darkChristian
she iz art in motion, in song and in dance, wow she iz amazing.
@dannyallvey79
I could listen to her all night long.
@WithMyLittleSpoon
Grazie for sharing this tutta bella song and photomontage:):):)!! Kate is numero uno and I wish Kate would come back soon:):):) "Chin Chin" Chente Anni Salute Ciao:):):)
@never4everuk
I never knew this was called Dali, I thought she was saying ferry me over darling, oh well you learn something new everyday.
@SuperSean1970
Why release one debut album when you possess the quality and volume for two? Thank God and Jesus for affording us the internet access to such thrown-away high quality moments such as this, along with Atlantis, Organic Acid, Cussi Cussi, Something Like A Song, It Hurts Me, and no doubt more remain. The astonishing quality of such youthful talent surely warrants a glancing eye back and should glean a much-wanted collection of unearthed treasures from a true Great Britain...
@claremccarron3058
I fervently wish she would remaster the whole lot! X
@youkyouk7471
Kate Bush est mon Mozart ! ( avec une voix d' Ange )
@arnaudfauchere1769
I love Kate Bush and i like Salvador Dali !!!
@TheAnnoyingBrat
beautiful song love kate bush hugs shari.