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.
Ken
Kate Bush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We look to the left and to the right.
We need help but nobody's in sight.
Where is the man that we all need?
Well tell him he's to come, and rescue me.
[Chorus]
Do do 'n do do 'n do dow,
Ken is the man that we all need,
Ken is the leader of the GLC.
Now head 'em up,
Rope 'em in,
Move 'em out.
Now can't you see
That we need the leader of the GLC?
Do do 'n do do 'n do dow,
Do do 'n do do 'n do dow.
Ken is the man that we all need,
Ken is the leader of the GLC.
Who is the man we all need?
(KEN!)
Who is the funky sex machine?
(KEN!)
Who is the leader of the GLC?
(KEN!)
Who is the man we all need?
(KEN!)
Now head 'em up,
Rope 'em in,
Move 'em out.
(KEN!)
Can't you see
That we need ah-ah-ah-ah-ah?
Do do 'n do do 'n do dow,
Do do 'n do do 'n do dow.
Ken is the man that we all need.
Ken is the WAHWHAYEAYEAYEAYEA!
Who is the man we all need?
(KEN!)
(KEN!)
Do do 'n do do 'n do dow,
Do do 'n do do 'n do dow.
Ken is the man that we all need,
Ken is the leader of the GLC!
The song "Ken" by Kate Bush is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Ken Livingstone, who was the leader of the Greater London Council (GLC) from 1981 until it was abolished in 1986. The song was released in 1980, a year before Livingstone became the leader of GLC, but Bush was already aware of his political stances and found him as someone who could rescue London from social and civic challenges. The lyrics talk about how the people of London are in need of help but can't find anyone to help them. They say that Ken Livingstone is the man that they need to rescue them, and that he is the leader of the GLC, the organization that can get things done. The chorus repeats over and over that "Ken is the man that we all need, Ken is the leader of the GLC."
The song is full of energy and playfulness, with Bush using call-and-response chants that allow the listener to join in on the fun. She makes references to cowboy movies, such as "head 'em up, rope 'em in, move 'em out," and even suggests that Livingstone is a "funky sex machine," which was probably a nod to Livingstone's reputation as a ladies' man. The song paints Livingstone as a hero who can save the day, and the music matches the lyrics with its bold, brassy sound that suggests a triumphant march.
Line by Line Meaning
YOWWW! Ha!
An exclamation of excitement or urgency to grab attention.
We look to the left and to the right.
We search for help in our surroundings.
We need help but nobody's in sight.
Despite our search, we find no one to assist us.
Where is the man that we all need?
We wonder where the person who can help us is located.
Well tell him he's to come, and rescue me.
We send a message urging the man to come to our aid.
Do do 'n do do 'n do dow,
Do do 'n do do 'n do dow.
Ken is the man that we all need,
Ken is the leader of the GLC.
A catchy repetition of how Ken is the man we need and the leader of the Greater London Council.
Now head 'em up,
Rope 'em in,
Move 'em out.
A command to gather or mobilize people.
Now can't you see
That we need the leader of the GLC?
A plea for understanding and recognition of the need for Ken to lead.
Who is the man we all need?
(KEN!)
Who is the funky sex machine?
(KEN!)
Who is the leader of the GLC?
(KEN!)
Who is the man we all need?
(KEN!)
Repeated questioning and answering to assert that Ken is the one we need, a funky sex machine, and the leader of the GLC.
Can't you see
That we need ah-ah-ah-ah-ah?
An extension of the plea for acknowledgement that we require help urgently.
Ken is the man that we all need.
Ken is the WAHWHAYEAYEAYEAYEA!
Another repetition that Ken is the man we need and that he elicits an excited reaction from us.
Do do 'n do do 'n do dow,
Do do 'n do do 'n do dow.
Ken is the man that we all need,
Ken is the leader of the GLC!
One last time reaffirming that Ken is the person we require and the head of the Greater London Council.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATE BUSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matt
If there was ever a time for Ken to reappear on the scene like a latter day King Arthur, then we need him now. ken we need you
sophie W
I would say Amen to that my friend but I' m an atheist !😉Did you notice when he said about ' Horris ' creating a marina? It has bitter sweet connotations because Kate Bush said Theresa May was the best thing to happen to the UK.in years then 2 years later tried to backtrack..!.Have to admit 40 yrs of adoring her was tested in a wee sentence ....Ken we need ya..
Jamal Hasidic Homeboy Ginsburg
I remember watching this when it first aired. Love the comic strip. RIP Rik Mayall another of my childhood and adult heroes gone too soon. This was genius t.v. Everything Rik Mayall, Ade Edmondson and Peter Richardson touched, turned to gold.
Philip Robinson
Its well worth getting the box set of all the Comic Strip shorts they did as theres some classics amongst them.
Luke Bale
One of my favourite Comic Strip episodes, adore the soundtrack 😍
Lou Wells
Comic Strip AND Kate Bush! What's not to love! 😃
kate4ever1
In that case you may like to see this. Kate as the Bride in the Comic Strip's Les Dogs episode.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEvzBv3u2Sg
Outbreak Advanced Techniques Institute
All this time I thought it was for an animated feature lol.
Dan Ormston
I feel I can die happily after seeing this
JennyCigarette
I'm making this my theme song.