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.
Out of My House
Kate Bush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(slamming)
You paused in the doorway
(slamming)
As though a thought stole you away
(slamming)
I watched the world pull you away
(Lock it)
So I run into the hall
(Lock it)
Into the corridor
(Lock it)
There's a door in the house
(slamming)
I hear the lift descending
(slamming)
I hear it hit the landing
(slamming)
See the hackles on the cat
(standing)
With my key I
(lock it)
With my key I
(lock it up)
With my key I
(lock it)
With my key I
(lock it up)
I am the concierge chez-moi, honey
Won't let ya in for love, nor money
("Let me in!")
My home, my joy
I'm barred and bolted and I
(Won't let you in)
(Get out of my house!)
No stranger's feet
Will enter me
(Get out of my house!)
I wash the panes
(Get out of my house!)
I clean the stains away
(Get out of my house!)
This house is as old as I am
(Slamming)
This house knows all I have done
(Slamming)
They come with their weather hanging 'round them
(Slamming)
But can't knock my door down
(Slamming)
With my key I
(lock it)
With my key I
(lock it)
This house is full of m-m-my mess
(Slamming)
This house is full of m-m-mistakes
(Slamming)
This house is full of m-m-madness
(Slamming)
This house is full of, full of, full of fight
(Slam it)
With my keeper I
(clean up)
With my keeper I
(clean it all up)
With my keeper I
(clean up)
With my keeper I
(clean it all up)
I am the concierge chez-moi, honey
Won't letcha in for love, nor money
("It's cold out here!")
My home, my joy
I'm barred and bolted and I
(Get out of my house!)
(Won't let you in)
(Get out of my house!)
No stranger's feet
(Get out of my house!)
Will enter me
(Get out of my house!)
I wash the panes
(Get out of my house!)
I clean the stains
(Get out of my house!)
(Get out of my house!)
(Get out of my house!)
(Get out of my house!)
Won't enter me
(Get out of my house!)
(Get out of my house!)
(Get out of my house!)
(Get out of my house!)
Yeah! Won't let you in
(Get out of my house!)
(Get out of my house!)
"Let me in!"
"Woman let me in!
Let me bring in the memories!
Woman let me in!
Let me bring in the Devil Dreams!"
I will not let you in!
Don't you bring back the reveries
I turn into a bird
Carry further than the word is heard
"Woman let me in!
I turn into the wind.
I blow you a cold kiss,
Stronger than the song's hit."
I will not let you in
I face towards the wind
I change into the Mule
"I change into the Mule."
In Kate Bush's "Out of My House," the lyrics depict a strong-willed and independent protagonist who is unwavering in defending her home and heart against intruders. The singer describes a moment of separation in which a loved one appears to be departing, but they hesitate in the doorway, suggesting that they are internally grappling with the decision to leave. The singer watches as this person is pulled away by the world, and just as they exit, they slam the door behind them. This abrupt and final action triggers the singer to take swift defensive measures.
She runs to the hallway, purposely slamming doors and locking them behind her. The repetitive sound of doors slamming and keys turning indicate a sense of urgency and anxiety, creating a musical backdrop that amplifies the intensity of the situation. The singer declares herself "the concierge" and "keeper" of her home, unwilling to let anyone in who doesn't belong. She takes pride in her home and what it represents, declaring that no stranger's feet will ever enter it, and that she will cleanse any mess that remains. Essentially, the song is a firm refusal to let the past invade the present, even in the form of memories or old flames attempting to re-enter into her life. The final phrase, "I change into the mule," is an enigmatic coda that could mean a variety of things depending on interpretation. It could be a reference to stubbornness or perseverance, or even an allusion to the animal's role as a loyal workhorse.
Line by Line Meaning
When you left, the door was (slamming)
You left abruptly and with force, causing the door to slam shut.
You paused in the doorway (slamming)
Before leaving, you briefly stopped in the doorway and slammed it shut behind you.
As though a thought stole you away (slamming)
It seemed like you were distracted by something else as you left, causing the door to slam shut.
I watched the world pull you away (Lock it)
I stood and watched as you were taken away by the world, so I locked the door to keep it from happening again.
So I run into the hall (Lock it)
In response to your departure, I hurried into the hallway to lock the door and keep you out.
Into the corridor (Lock it)
I ran down the hallway to reach the corridor and the door I needed to lock.
There's a door in the house (slamming)
There is a door within the house that is making a slamming noise as a result of the disturbance caused by your departure.
I hear the lift descending (slamming)
I can hear the elevator going down, most likely with you in it, causing another slamming sound.
I hear it hit the landing (slamming)
The elevator has reached the landing, causing a slamming sound.
See the hackles on the cat (standing)
The cat is now on edge as a result of the commotion caused by your departure and the slamming door, causing its fur to stand up in anticipation.
With my key I (lock it)
I use my key to lock the door and keep you out.
I am the concierge chez-moi, honey
I am like the caretaker of my own home, and I am addressing someone affectionately.
Won't let ya in for love, nor money
I will not permit you entry, no matter how much you offer, or how much you care.
("Let me in!")
You are pleading with me to allow you access to my home.
My home, my joy
My home is my source of happiness, and I will defend its sanctity.
I'm barred and bolted and I (Won't let you in)
I have secured my home and will not permit you entry, no matter how long you persist.
(Get out of my house!)
I am making it clear that I want you to leave and stay away.
No stranger's feet (Get out of my house!)
I will not allow anyone I do not know to enter my home.
Will enter me (Get out of my house!)
I value my privacy and do not want outsiders to enter my personal space.
I wash the panes (Get out of my house!)
I take great care of my home, and even the windows are kept spotless.
I clean the stains away (Get out of my house!)
I take pride in my home and will make sure it remains in top condition, including removing any stains or blemishes.
This house is as old as I am (Slamming)
My home has been with me for as long as I have lived, and it bears the marks of my life and experiences.
This house knows all I have done (Slamming)
My home has witnessed my every action and life event, and it holds many memories and secrets.
They come with their weather hanging 'round them (Slamming)
Outsiders and strangers come with their own baggage and life experiences, which can impact my own environment and mood.
But can't knock my door down (Slamming)
Despite the changes and disruptions that come from the outside world, I will maintain the security of my home and keep it protected.
This house is full of m-m-my mess (Slamming)
My home is sometimes messy or cluttered, reflecting my own imperfect, human nature.
This house is full of m-m-mistakes (Slamming)
My home is rife with errors and regrets, as is every life and experience.
This house is full of m-m-madness (Slamming)
My home can become chaotic or overwhelming at times, reflecting the craziness of the external world.
This house is full of, full of, full of fight (Slam it)
Despite the mess, mistakes, and madness, my home is still a place of resistance and struggle, reflecting my own tenacity and strength of character.
With my keeper I (clean up)
I work alongside my staff or helpers to keep my home clean and tidy.
Clean it all up (clean it all up)
I am committed to making my home beautiful and perfect, no matter how long it takes or how much effort it requires.
I turn into a bird (Carry further than the word is heard)
I am able to transform myself and transcend the mundane world, flying high above it all and communicating in ways that can be heard from far away.
I will not let you in! Don't you bring back the reveries
I absolutely refuse to allow you access to my home, as doing so would bring back painful or emotional memories that I do not wish to relive.
I turn into the wind.
I am able to shape shift and become one with the natural elements, such as the wind.
I blow you a cold kiss, Stronger than the song's hit.
Even from afar, I am able to send a message or emotion that has a lasting impact and power, stronger than even the most powerful song.
I change into the Mule.
I am able to transform myself into a stubborn or hardworking creature, like a mule, in order to achieve my aims and protect my home and myself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATE BUSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind