The song is about two actors who are friends. One is playing the lead role in a production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a part he's read all of his life and has been waiting for a chance to play. After many rehearsals, he accidentally dies and his friend is asked to take over the role, which he does because his own career is on the line. The dead man comes back to haunt him because he doesn't want him to have the role, believing that he is taking away the only chance he ever had in life. The actor is saying, "Leave me alone, it's not my fault. I have to take this role but I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do because the ghost won't leave me alone and is really freaking me out. I see him at every corner."
Hammer Horror
Kate Bush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But now you're gone.
So who knows all the sights
Of Notre Dame?
They've got the stars for the gallant hearts.
I'm the replacement for your part.
But all I want to do is forget
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave me alone.
The first time in my life,
I leave the lights on
To ease my soul.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave it alone.
I don't know,
Is this the right thing to do?
Rehearsing in your things,
I feel guilty.
And retracing all the scenes,
Of your big hit,
Oh, God, you needed the leading role.
It wasn't me who made you go, though.
Now all I want to do is forget
You, friend.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave me alone.
The first time in my life,
I leave the lights on
To ease my soul.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave it alone.
I don't know,
Is this the right thing to do?
Who calls me from the other side
Of the street?
And who taps me on the shoulder?
I turn around, but you're gone.
The lyrics of "Hammer Horror" by Kate Bush are about a person who is haunted by the memory of another who used to stand in the belltower, but is now gone. The singer longs to forget this person and the scenes they painted, as it feels guilty to be in possession of their things and attempting to retrace their steps. The lines "They've got the stars for the gallant hearts. I'm the replacement for your part" imply that the person being referred to was a talented actor or performer of some kind – someone who shone brightly and gallantly in their time, and who has now left a void. The singer seems to feel that they are not worthy of replacing this person, and that their attempts to do so are futile.
The refrain "Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror, won't leave me alone" is a reference to the Hammer Horror film series, which was popular in the 60s and 70s. The imagery of the films, particularly the gothic settings and blood-soaked violence, seems to be haunting the singer. They leave the lights on to ease their soul and are plagued by the question of whether it is right to do so. The final lines suggest that the singer is being visited by the ghost of the person they are trying to forget, which adds another layer to the sense of unease and disorientation in the song.
Overall, "Hammer Horror" is a song that captures a sense of guilt, unease and the struggle to move on from the past. It is full of vivid imagery and references that add to the sense of dislocation and surrealism that pervades the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
You stood in the belltower,
You were once in a position of prominence, but now you're gone.
But now you're gone.
You are no longer around.
So who knows all the sights Of Notre Dame?
Now that you're gone, who knows all the details of what's going on?
They've got the stars for the gallant hearts.
They have lots of recognition for the brave.
I'm the replacement for your part.
I have taken your place.
But all I want to do is forget You, friend.
I wish I could forget about you, my former friend.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror, Won't leave me alone.
I can't escape my fear, it haunts me every day.
The first time in my life, I leave the lights on To ease my soul.
For the first time, I leave the lights on, hoping to calm my anxiety.
I don't know, Is this the right thing to do?
I am uncertain if this is the correct way to handle my situation.
Rehearsing in your things, I feel guilty.
I feel guilty for using your belongings to rehearse.
And retracing all the scenes, Of your big hit, Oh, God, you needed the leading role.
I am going over all the scenes from your famous performance, and it becomes clear you were the most important part.
It wasn't me who made you go, though.
I didn't force you to leave.
Now all I want to do is forget You, friend.
All I want is to forget about you, my former friend.
Who calls me from the other side Of the street?
Who is trying to get my attention from across the street?
And who taps me on the shoulder?
Who is tapping my shoulder from behind me?
I turn around, but you're gone.
When I turn around, you're not there anymore.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATE BUSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vanessa Clearwater
Lyrics:
You stood in the bell-tower,
But now you're gone.
So who knows all the sights
Of Notre Dame?
They've got the stars for the gallant hearts.
I'm the replacement for your part.
But all I want to do is forget
You, friend.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave me alone.
The first time in my life,
I keep the lights on
To ease my soul.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave me alone.
I don't know,
Is this the right thing to do?
Rehearsing in your things,
I feel guilty
And retracing all the scenes,
Of your big hit,
Oh, God, you needed the leading role.
It wasn't me who made you go, though.
Now all I want to do is forget
You, friend.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave me alone
The first time in my life,
I leave the lights on
To ease my soul.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave it alone
I don't know,
Is this the right thing to do?
Who calls me from the other side
Of the street?
And who taps me on the shoulder?
I turn around, but you're gone
I've got a hunch that you're following
To get your own back on me
All I want to do is forget
You, friend
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror
Won't leave it alone
The first time in my life
I keep the lights on to ease my soul
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror
Won't leave it alone
I don't know
Is this the right thing to do?
Olivia 73captain73
You stood in the belltower,
But now you're gone.
So who knows all the sights
Of Notre Dame?
They've got the stars for the gallant hearts.
I'm the replacement for your part.
But all I want to do is forget
You, friend.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave me alone.
The first time in my life,
I leave the lights on
To ease my soul.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave it alone.
I don't know,
Is this the right thing to do?
Rehearsing in your things,
I feel guilty.
And retracing all the scenes,
Of your big hit,
Oh, God, you needed the leading role.
It wasn't me who made you go, though.
Now all I want to do is forget
You, friend.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave me alone.
The first time in my life,
I leave the lights on
To ease my soul.
Hammer Horror, Hammer Horror,
Won't leave it alone.
I don't know,
Is this the right thing to do?
Who calls me from the other side
Of the street?
And who taps me on the shoulder?
I turn around, but you're gone.
smarter person
she was TWENTY when she made this. her presence makes it seem like she's been arnd for centuries, but this was alll in the same year she debuted.
Leonard Ssenkindu
She was a mature woman than these silly generation now in their early 20 year old.
Kent Mains
My favorite Kate song. Well this week anyway.
SW
Tool and Kate Bush fan? Nice 👌
Minuka Rodrigo
@Shua Moon when did she say that
Vicki McCune
@sean ahmed mine as well.
Ange
She’s just so expressive in her singing and dance. It’s hard to pick a fav!
TRD
me too. .I fluctuate throughout her talent .
dh
As she is a great singer, she is also a storyteller. She's telling stories in her songs, she's telling stories with her body, her dancing. She's very talented and special 💜
Minutes On
Im so unused to this. Why isn't she singing about dancing in a club and being so good at being you that they dont need a man, and you can just dance because you are already brilliant?
I feel robbed of a song here. No one said I'd have to think