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 Album Version
Kate Bush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some moments of pleasure
I think about us lying
Lying on a beach somewhere
I think about us diving
Diving off a rock, into another moment
Oh God I can't stop laughing
This sense of humor of mine
It isn't funny at all
Oh but we sit up all night
Talking about it
Just being alive
It can really hurt
And these moments given
Are a gift from time
On a balcony in New York
It's just started to snow
He meets us at the lift
Like Douglas Fairbanks
Waving his walking stick
But he isn't well at all
The buildings of New York
Look just like mountains through the snow
Just being alive
It can really hurt
And these moments given
Are a gift from time
Just let us try
To give these moments back
To those we love
To those who will survive
And I can hear my mother saying
"Every old sock meets an old shoe"
Isn't that a great saying?
"Every old sock meets an old shoe"
Here come the Hills of Time
Hey there Maureen,
Hey there Bubba,
Dancing down the aisle of a plane,
'S Murph, playing his guitar refrain,
Hey there Teddy,
Spinning in the chair at Abbey Road,
Hey there Michael,
Do you really love me?
Hey there Bill,
Could you turn the lights up?
In "Joanni Album Version" by Kate Bush, the singer describes various moments of pleasure and pain in life. The song starts with Bush reflecting on past experiences that brought her joy, such as lying on a beach or diving off a rock. She then shifts to reminiscing about a funny conversation with her friends, where they laughed about a man named George the Wipe, despite the fact that her sense of humor can be painful at times. The following verse takes place in New York, with Bush observing the city covered in snow and meeting a sick man in the lift who reminded her of film star Douglas Fairbanks. The song's chorus repeats the idea that moments in life, both good and bad, are precious.
The final verses of the song see Bush shout out to numerous people, including Maureen, Bubba, 'S Murph, Teddy, Michael, and Bill. These people are all familiar to Bush in some way, and she calls them out almost as if she is on a stage or in a crowded room. The final words of the song refer to "the Hills of Time," which could symbolize the passage of time or aging as individuals come across new experiences and people throughout their lives. Overall, "Joanni Album Version" sends the message to appreciate life's moments, no matter how painful or joyful they may be.
Line by Line Meaning
Some moments that I've had
Reflecting on the good moments that I have experienced in my life
Some moments of pleasure
Similar to the prior line, I have been fortunate to experience enjoyable moments
I think about us lying
Thoughts of a scenario where someone is with their loved one, lying somewhere on a beach
Lying on a beach somewhere
Similar to the prior thought, lying on a beach is a peaceful, serene moment that is pictured
I think about us diving
Picturing a scene where a person and their loved one are diving into the water together
Diving off a rock, into another moment
A visualization of someone diving off a rock to enter a different moment in time
The case of George the Wipe
Referencing a story or incident involving someone named George the Wipe
Oh God I can't stop laughing
The story is humorous and makes the person telling it laugh uncontrollably
This sense of humor of mine
The person talking is known to have a good sense of humor
It isn't funny at all
They recognize that the humor in the story probably won't be funny to others
Oh but we sit up all night
Although the story may not be funny, the people listening all night still enjoy the conversation and each other's company
Talking about it
The conversation centered around the story of George the Wipe
Just being alive
There are struggles with simply being alive sometimes
It can really hurt
Being alive can be hard and painful
And these moments given
Appreciating the gifts of moments given over time, such as the peaceful beach
Are a gift from time
Time has given these moments to appreciate and cherish
On a balcony in New York
A different moment is being pictured once again, this time on a balcony in New York
It's just started to snow
The scene involves snow, which has just started falling
He meets us at the lift
Someone meets the singer and their companions at the elevator
Like Douglas Fairbanks
The person has a brave and adventurous look like that of Douglas Fairbanks
Waving his walking stick
The person carries a walking stick and waves it like a cane
But he isn't well at all
Despite the confident appearance, the individual is actually unwell
The buildings of New York
An observation of the cityscape of New York is noted
Look just like mountains through the snow
The snow gives the buildings the appearance of mountains in the distance
Just let us try
The singer is requesting to have the ability to give moments back to important people
To give these moments back
The intention is to give these special moments back to loved ones
To those we love
The moments are desired to be given to people that the singer loves
To those who will survive
These moments will be remembered by those who outlive the artist
And I can hear my mother saying
The artist is recalling the voice of their mother in their thoughts
Every old sock meets an old shoe
The singer is bringing up a saying that their mother would say about old things being a good match
Isn't that a great saying?
The singer sees the saying as great, and possibly of some value to them
Here come the Hills of Time
It is unknown exactly what is meant by this line, as it is not in direct reference to anything stated prior
Hey there Maureen,
Individuals are being introduced in a sort of list or greeting format
Hey there Bubba,
The greeting-list format continues for additional people
Dancing down the aisle of a plane,
One of the people is observed dancing down the center aisle of a plane
'S Murph, playing his guitar refrain,
The specific person 'S Murph is noted to be playing a guitar riff
Hey there Teddy,
The introductions continue
Spinning in the chair at Abbey Road,
Teddy is seen spinning around in a chair at Abbey Road
Hey there Michael,
The person greeting Michael continues on
Do you really love me?
Michael is questioned about their love
Hey there Bill,
The last person is introduced
Could you turn the lights up?
Bill is asked about turning the lights up
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Theodisc
[Post-Chorus]
Joanni, Joanni, Joanni, Joanni blows a kiss to God
She just looks beautiful in her armour
Beautiful in her armour
[Bridge]
Elle parle à Dieu et aux anges
Dans ses prières
[Interlude]
[Outro]
Venez Sainte Catherine
Venez Sainte Marguerite
Elle a besoin de vous deux
Les voix, les voix du feu
Chante avec moi petite soeur
Les voix, les voix, les voix
Dale W. Daemicke
This album gets better and better with age. Like all Kate Bush. Timeless and gorgeous.
Youk Youk
Merci pour toutes ces Merveilleuses illustrations de Jeanne d' Arc ! Cette Chanson est si émouvante ( comme tout ce que compose Kate Bush ).
John Scott
I had to listen to this album 3 or 4 times before I could make my mind up if I liked it or not? Eventually I decided I did, & now appreciate it more each time I listen to the album.
Jane Wright
It's a grower X testimony to how good her music is xxx
Negan The Car Salesman
The song has a very relaxed funk to it. Kate Bush is great.
Neil Mayor
her battle cry in background toward the end ..gives me goose bumps
Theodisc
[Post-Chorus]
Joanni, Joanni, Joanni, Joanni blows a kiss to God
She just looks beautiful in her armour
Beautiful in her armour
[Bridge]
Elle parle à Dieu et aux anges
Dans ses prières
[Interlude]
[Outro]
Venez Sainte Catherine
Venez Sainte Marguerite
Elle a besoin de vous deux
Les voix, les voix du feu
Chante avec moi petite soeur
Les voix, les voix, les voix
Arnaud FAUCHERE
Très joli cadeau pour l'anniversaire de Kate :-)
E Osis
She makes a musical history lesson :)
Animal Revenge
Merci Kate pour cette chanson sur Jeanne.