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.
Joanni
Kate Bush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the flags stop flying
And the silence comes over
Thousands of soldiers
Thousands of soldiers
Who is that girl? Do I know her face?
Who is that girl?
Joanni, Joanni wears a golden cross
And she looks so beautiful in her armour
Joanni, Joanni blows a kiss to God
And she never wears a ring on her finger
All the cannon are firing
And the swords are clashing
And the horses are charging
And the flags are flying
And the battle is raging
And the bells, the bells are ringing
Who is that girl? Do I know her face?
Who is that girl?
Joanni, Joanni wears a golden cross
And she looks so beautiful in her armor
Joanni, Joanni blows a kiss to God
And she never wears a ring on her finger
Joanni, Joanni, Joanni, Joanni blows a kiss to God
And she just looks beautiful in her armor
Beautiful in her armor
The song "Joanni" by Kate Bush is about Joan of Arc, the French warrior and martyr who fought in the Hundred Years' War. The first verse of the song speaks of the silence that falls on a battlefield as thousands of soldiers stop fighting, and the singer wonders if she recognizes Joanni's face. In the chorus, Joanni is described as wearing a golden cross and looking beautiful in her armor, while also blowing a kiss to God and never wearing a ring on her finger. The second verse describes the chaos of battle, with cannon firing, swords clashing, horses charging, and bells ringing. The chorus repeats, emphasizing Joanni's beauty and devotion to her divine mission.
The lyrics of "Joanni" suggest a deep admiration for Joan of Arc and her bravery in battle. The reference to her golden cross may symbolize her deep faith, while the absence of a ring on her finger could represent her commitment to her destiny as a warrior rather than a wife. The repeated line "Who is that girl? Do I know her face?" could reflect the singer's awe at Joanni's courage and skill, as well as the historical mystery that surrounds Joan of Arc's life.
Line by Line Meaning
All the banners stop waving
The banners that were once waving to show pride and courage have been taken down and are no longer waving.
And the flags stop flying
The flags that were once flying high are now lowered and no longer waving in the wind.
And the silence comes over
The silence falls upon the battleground, marking the end of the chaos and the beginning of a moment of reflection.
Thousands of soldiers
The battleground was filled with thousands of soldiers, now gone and forgotten.
Who is that girl? Do I know her face?
The artist sees a girl and wonders if they have met before.
Joanni, Joanni wears a golden cross
Joanni is adorned with a golden cross, symbolizing her unwavering spiritual convictions.
And she looks so beautiful in her armor
Joanni is beautiful even in her armor, often seen as a symbol of aggression and violence.
Joanni, Joanni blows a kiss to God
Joanni prays and gives thanks to her God for the strength and guidance to endure the battle.
And she never wears a ring on her finger
Joanni has dedicated her life to serving God and her country, choosing not to take on the responsibilities of marriage.
All the cannon are firing
The sound of cannon fire echoes throughout the battleground, signifying the violence and brutality of war.
And the swords are clashing
The sounds of swords clashing signifies the battle raging on.
And the horses are charging
The horses carrying the soldiers are charging towards the enemy to engage in battle.
And the flags are flying
The flags are held high, representing the pride and honor of the soldiers and their country.
And the battle is raging
The battle between the two sides is still going on, showing the cruelty of war.
And the bells, the bells are ringing
The bells are ringing, marking the end of the battle and the beginning of mourning and grief for the lost lives.
Joanni, Joanni, Joanni, Joanni blows a kiss to God
Joanni prays to God multiple times, reaffirming her faith and gratitude for divine guidance and protection.
And she just looks beautiful in her armor
Joanni is still beautiful even when covered in armor, showing that beauty can exist even in the midst of war.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATE BUSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Theodisc
Partie des paroles en française:
«Elle parle à Dieu et aux anges
Dans ses prières
Venez Sainte Marguerite
Venez Sainte Catherine
Elle a besoin de vous deux.
Les voix, les voix du feu
Chante avec moi petite soeur,
Les voix, les voix, les voix»
traduction en EN, la langue des «Godams» comme Jehanne less appelaient:
"She speaks to God and to the angels
In her prayers
Come Saint Marguerite
Come Saint Katherine
She has need of you both.
The voices, the voices of fire
Sing with me little sister,
The voices, the voices, the voices"
Jehanne called the english invaders «Les Godams» because of the oath they most commonly gave whilst fighting in battle: "God Damn". it seems all these centuries later, from mediaeval times right through to the post modern era nothing much has changed, in that regard anyways.
jake b
This was the track that drew me into the album. I didn't like it at first...but on repeated listens it's genius reveals itsef.
michavandam
It would be interesting to read some formulation of the genius of this song.
CenyddRos
Kate is a true Goddess of music. She has inspired thousands of musicians.
Flo Jo
I see I commented on this three years ago, under another ID. My love for this woman's music just grows and grows. You don't have to 'understand' the subtleties to enjoy it, but as time goes by it just unfolds like a flower. And yet I know people who are just left cold by it. Well, it would be a funny old world if we were all the same ....
key west
@Flo Jo Cheers Flo Jo (of whichever era you prefer . . .). A pathetic place indeed were there no variety. Speaking solely of/for myself I would absolutely throw up should there be, so to speak, another me, same opinions, same tastes, motivations, etc . . . That said, there is something to be said for how we as individuals share in the inspiration that a beautiful and moving song such as "Joanni", erm, inspires in us. We will all aspire to that particular journey however brief or long that it nudges us along to, but how lovely that it possesses the power to do so. Cheers!
Flo Jo
Yeah. sighs
Flo Jo
Hello, me of three years ago. I am three years on from you. there is good stuff to come, there are terrible things to come. It's best if we don't know these things. Try to treat yourself better. The result is the same, in any case.
Radio-Activity
Fantastic song but the live version sung on Before The Dawn takes it into another dimension. Stunning.
Egor Ananev
Through her melodies and lyrics, Kate gives life and depth to every subject she touches. She's the Joanni of our time.
Paul Wilde
I regard Joanni as a kind of spiritual sequel to Lily. Thank you infinitely for your unimitable style and riches. - + ) Kate Bush. ( + - A painter and a novellist of sound and lyrics, a renaissance girl/woman. Even when everyone first adored her late teen beauty , they fell just as much in love with her worldbuilding music that was elemental, the fruits of a Kentish girl. Eat the Music. It says a lot about her greatness that people are often so hooked on a tune, vocal, or a pianoline, bassline or a video or an album or song concept and its production / musical touches that how great the lyrics themselves can be underestimated, as can some brilliantly employed guitarwork and some of the less mainstreamly celebrated magical line delivery from Kate Bush. Oh ma di padme. You WARch the CLAWrk move the SLow hand.