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.
Delius
Kate Bush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Song of summer in his hand.
Ooh, he's a moody old man.
In, in, in his hand.
In his hand.
Delius,
Delius amat.
Deus,
Genius, oh.
To be sung of a summer night on the water.
Oh, on the water.
"Ta, ta-ta!
Ta, ta-ta!
In be, Fenby!"
To be sung of a summer night on the water
Oh, on the water.
On the water.
Kate Bush's song Delius is inspired by the life and works of the British composer Frederick Delius. The first verse introduces him as a "moody old man," which could refer to Delius' reclusive nature after he was paralyzed by syphilis. The second line "Song of summer in his hand" likely alludes to one of Delius' most famous works, "A Song of Summer," which Kate seems to suggest that the composer always had at his disposal. The repetition of the line "In, in, in his hand" creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes Delius' passion for music.
The chorus is in Latin and emphasizes the important aspects of Delius' life. "Delius Amat" translates to "Delius loves," referring to his fervent love for music. "Syphilus" is a direct reference to his illness, which led to his eventual paralysis. "Deus" means "God" or "deity," which could refer to Delius' artistic genius. The chorus ends with "Genius, oh," emphasizing Delius' extraordinary gift for music.
The final lines of the song repeat the phrase "To be sung of a summer night on the water," which reinforces the idea that Delius' music was meant to be experienced in a specific setting. The addition of "Oh, on the water" adds a dreamlike quality to the song and emphasizes the beauty and power of Delius' music.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, he's a moody old man.
Delius, the subject of the song, is described as an elderly man with an unpredictable temperament.
Song of summer in his hand.
He holds a musical composition that embodies the feeling of summer.
Ooh, he's a moody old man.
The singer repeats Delius' temperament description to emphasize its significance.
In, in, in his hand.
The composition is of utmost importance to Delius, hence the repetition of the adverb 'in'.
In his hand.
The composition is physically in Delius' possession.
Delius,
The singer addresses Delius by name, introducing him as the song's subject.
Delius amat.
The Latin phrase translates to 'Delius loves', possibly referring to the composer's love for music.
Syphilus,
A reference to Delius' battle with syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that had affected his health.
Deus,
Latin for 'God', possibly referencing Delius' admiration for music, considered divine by some.
Genius, oh.
Delius' musical abilities are highlighted, possibly referencing him as a genius.
To be sung of a summer night on the water.
The composition is meant to be performed on a summer night by the water, emphasizing its connection to nature.
Oh, on the water.
The setting of the composition is reiterated.
"Ta, ta-ta!
The sound of a musical instrument is imitated, possibly a reference to the composition's melody.
Ta, ta-ta!
The imitation continues, emphasizing the sounds of the composition.
In be, Fenby!"
A reference to conductor Eric Fenby, who helped Delius complete his compositions due to his ailing health.
On the water.
The final line reinforces the setting of the composition as being by the water.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATE BUSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anonagain
Only Kate Bush could write a song about a composer with syphilis and make it this beautiful...
or about a psychiatrist and philosopher who makes rain...
or about a ghost from a gothic novel.
She is an artist in every sense of the word...thanks for uploading the HD version!
@sabarsharif2453
...and make it sound sexy too
@ferdiemiddleton8910
or about smuggling people to malta in a plane and turning it into an irish folk song aha
@icelara5972
Confirmation that Kate Bush was both brilliant and completely bonkers at the same time. Love this woman to bit's. There is only one KB.
@ZoolGatekeeper
Agree.
@scottwohlers9422
Bonkers?? well idk ....totally without boundaries and inhibitions...,. YEP!!..holy crap yeah and one a a kind and we are blessed to have experienced her greatness in our lifetime ❤❤
@heartwilson.8943
Not if you understand her lyrics ; what’s she’s singing about ; the message she is telling in the song .
@tanjadamjanovic2995
👍 Totaly 👍 Yeah 👍 agreed 👍
@SenthilKumar-tr8vz
Lady Gaga of that time
@rw8733
I am on a Kate Bush marathon today. I am so happy to hear this again. She is a goddess.