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.
Passing Through Air
Kate Bush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You mix the stars with your arms.
Walking through there.
The doom of eternity balms.
Skies of gray are not today.
[Chorus]
Oh! Don't you throw my love away,
Oh! Don't you pour down rain today,
I need your love, I need your care
So much, so much, so much!
Laughing through smiles.
You lick my love with the years.
Walking for miles.
You cool my brow with your tears.
Skies of gray are not today.
Oh! Don't you throw my love away,
I need your loving, I need your loving.
Oh! Don't you pour down rain today,
I need your love, I need your care
So much, so much, so much!
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics of Kate Bush’s song “Passing Through Air” depict a deeply emotional and enigmatic situation between two individuals. The song begins with the line “Passing through air, you mix the stars with your arms,” which gives an out of the world vibe to the song, indicating that the person being referred to is not limited by the tangible world. The singer seems to be addressing their lover, telling him/her not to leave as the singer needs their love and care. The second verse mentions how the lover has “licked my love with the years” and is now comforting the singer by “cooling their brow with the tears”.
The chorus repeats twice, emphasizing the desperate plea for the lover not to leave, and expressing the deep level of dependence that the singer has on the lover. Furthermore, the references to “skies of gray are not today” and “don’t pour down rain today” connote melancholic feelings, illustrating that the singer is trying to cling onto something positive amidst the sadness surrounding them.
Overall, Kate Bush’s “Passing Through Air” demonstrates a deep level of affection and connection between two people that has been built up over time. It also raises an interesting question about the ephemeral nature of love and how one can find hope amidst sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
Passing through air.
Just like air passes through everything, the persona's lover is non-existent and doesn't hold a solid form or quality.
You mix the stars with your arms.
The persona projects her lover as strong and capable, to the point where he can pick the stars with his arms and mix them like they're nothing.
Walking through there.
The persona and her lover are walking through life and all of its struggles side by side.
The doom of eternity balms.
Although life is full of challenges and misfortunes, it's nothing compared to the eternity of doom that's awaiting everyone, and being with her lover provides comfort and relief from that fact.
Skies of gray are not today.
Although things might not always be ideal, the persona chooses to focus on the present moment and make the most out of it, rather than dwell on past events or things beyond her control.
You lick my love with the years.
The persona's love towards her lover has grown and evolved over the years, much like how a dog would constantly lick its owner's hand to show affection.
Walking for miles.
The persona and her lover have gone through a lot of experiences and walked a long path together.
You cool my brow with your tears.
The persona's lover is so caring that even his tears can provide comfort and relief from the struggles and pain of life.
Oh! Don't you throw my love away, I need your loving, I need your loving.
The persona is expressing her fear of losing her lover and how she needs his love and presence in her life to feel complete and happy.
Oh! Don't you pour down rain today, I need your love, I need your care So much, so much, so much!
The persona is pleading with her lover to stay and not let any hardships and difficulties in life drive them apart, because she needs his love and care more than anything else.
[Chorus: x2]
The chorus acts as a reminder of the persona's deep and unwavering love towards her lover, and how much she needs him in her life to face the challenges that come their way.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KATE BUSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J. K.
Always considered this a wonderful early song by Kate. In fact it is the first professionally recorded Kate Bush song, from 1973. Dave Gilmour is playing the guitar here. The more often I hear it, more and more influences appear. I hear some Elton John, Beatles, Bowie and a hint of Joni Mitchell?
China7381
Oh yeah, she's amazing. I think she's incredible.
R W
She's magnificent. The effect she had on my teenager mind and body!
Richard Worth
I say you're fantastic
Nick Lewis
China7381 Wow!
Citylight74
I love this song " SO MUCH.....". Yes, magical melodies and simple but romantical lyrics. (Especially : "You cool my brow with your tears.") Man, from where took this girl of 15 those ideas? So much Sensitivity and Maturity, wow !
Arcadia arcadia
This song was a rare find. I totally forgot about it until I found this video.. it’s really very very good damn it Good!
thenutbar44
I love this! Im sitting here replaying it over and over lol
Unknown
1:30 She kinda looks like Cher in that photo but still with out a doubt, she is the most beautiful creature that is still alive and I’m happy to say it’s true.
0:14 what a transition to young shy Kate to drop dead gorgeous Kate. It’s crazy to imagine that this was Kate and nothing has change right?
Silverbirch4444
Another wonderful gem of a song. Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than the Beatles - 4 grown blokes. She was only a teen when she creayed these.