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.
Sexual Healing
Kate Bush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need some lovin'
And baby, I can't hold it much longer
It's getting stronger and stronger
And when I get that feeling
I want sexual healing
Sexual healing makes me feel so fine
Sexual healing, baby
Sexual healing is something
That's good for me
Whenever blue tear drops are falling
And my emotional stability is leaving me
There is something I can do
I can get on the telephone and call you up, baby
And honey, I know you'll be there to relieve me
The love you give to me will free me
If you don't know the things you're dealing
Ooh, I can tell you, darling, that it's sexual healing
Sexual healing
Let's make love tonight
'Cause you do it right
Baby, I got sick this morning
A sea was storming inside of me
And baby, I think I'm capsizing
The waves are rising and rising
And when I get that feeling
I want sexual healing
Sexual healing makes me feel so fine
Helps to relieve your mind
Sexual healing, baby
Sexual healing is something
That's good for me and it's good for me
And it's so good to me, my baby
Ooh, come take control
Just grab a hold
Of my body and mind
Soon we'll be making it, we will doin' it fine
You're my medicine
Open up and let me in
Darling, you're so great
I can't wait for you to operate
When I get that feeling, I need sexual healing
When I get that feeling, I need sexual healing
When I get that feeling, I need sexual healing
When I get that feeling
Heal me, baby
Kate Bush's rendition of Sexual Healing, originally performed by Marvin Gaye, is a sultry and intimate ballad about the healing power of sexual intimacy. Set to a slow and rhythmic beat, the song speaks of physical and emotional longing, and the powerful release and relief that sexual healing can bring. The song opens with Bush's beautiful and haunting voice singing, "Uuh, baby, I'm hot just like an oven, I need some lovin'," which sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The song speaks about the transformative power of sexual healing, and how it can change one's emotional state. The lyrics, "Whenever blue tear drops are falling, and my emotional stability is leaving me, there is something I can do," suggest that sexual intimacy can help comfort and heal an individual in their moments of sadness and despair. The song speaks to the importance of human connection, and how physical touch and intimacy can be a source of comfort and solace in difficult times.
Overall, Kate Bush's rendition of Sexual Healing is a beautiful and sensual interpretation of the original song, exploring themes of desire, need, and emotional release through the power of physical intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Uuh, baby, I'm hot just like an oven
I desire sexual pleasure so intensely that I feel hot like an oven.
I need some lovin'
I am in need of some affection and sexual pleasure.
And baby, I can't hold it much longer
My desire for sexual pleasure is so strong that I cannot suppress it for much longer.
It's getting stronger and stronger
My craving for sexual pleasure is intensifying continuously.
And when I get that feeling
Whenever the desire for sexual pleasure overwhelms me
I want sexual healing
I crave sexual pleasure
Sexual healing makes me feel so fine
Sexual pleasure is exhilarating for me and makes me feel amazing
Helps to relieve my mind
Sexual pleasure takes away my stress and anxiety
Sexual healing, baby
I am yearning for sexual pleasure
Sexual healing is something
The exhilaration of sexual pleasure is important to me.
That's good for me
Sexual pleasure is good for my mental and physical well-being.
Whenever blue tear drops are falling
Whenever I am feeling sad and emotional
And my emotional stability is leaving me
I am losing control of my emotions.
There is something I can do
I can do something to make myself feel better
I can get on the telephone and call you up, baby
I can call up my lover to have sexual pleasure with me
And honey, I know you'll be there to relieve me
My lover will always be there to help me feel better.
The love you give to me will free me
Sexual pleasure will help me escape my worries and make me feel free.
If you don't know the things you're dealing
If you don't understand my needs and desires
Ooh, I can tell you, darling, that it's sexual healing
I want sexual pleasure and intimacy from you
Let's make love tonight
Let's engage in sexual pleasure tonight
'Cause you do it right
I want to engage in sexual pleasure with my lover because they know how to satisfy me
Baby, I got sick this morning
I am feeling physically and mentally unwell in the absence of sexual pleasure
A sea was storming inside of me
I feel a lot of emotions and sexual desire within me
And baby, I think I'm capsizing
My desires are becoming unmanageable and overpowering me
The waves are rising and rising
My desires are becoming stronger and stronger
Sexual healing, baby
I am seeking sexual pleasure
Sexual healing is something
Sexual pleasure is important to me
That's good for me and it's good for me
Sexual pleasure is good for my mental and physical well-being.
And it's so good to me, my baby
Sexual pleasure is amazing and satisfying for me
Ooh, come take control
I want my lover to take control of me during sexual pleasure
Just grab a hold
I want my lover to physically dominate me during sexual pleasure
Of my body and mind
I want my lover to have complete control of me both physically and mentally during sexual pleasure.
Soon we'll be making it, we will doin' it fine
We will be engaging in sexual pleasure soon and it will be satisfying
You're my medicine
Sexual pleasure is a cure for my physical and mental problems
Open up and let me in
I want my lover to let me enter their body to engage in sexual pleasure
Darling, you're so great
My lover is amazing and satisfying during sexual pleasure
I can't wait for you to operate
I am looking forward to engaging in sexual pleasure with my lover.
When I get that feeling, I need sexual healing
Whenever I feel the desire for sexual pleasure, I want to engage in sexual healing
Heal me, baby
I want my lover to help me fulfil my sexual desires and help me feel better.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: David Ritz, Marvin Gaye, Odell Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Connor S.
I don't feel any pressure to make some sort of statement as to which version is best, they are both phenomenal in their own ways. I will say Kate perfectly integrated her production style/melodic flourishes into this tune. Its completely her own
Tivkaa Gladys
it will only take someone who's a big fan and connects deeply to the message of this song to be able to do a version as pure and good as this..and that's what Kate has proven...kudos Kate, best version for me so far...
Tivkaa Gladys
lol nt reli sure of dat,but certainly it was a gud one...like am so in love with her..cheers
Let's Reconnect
It’s the B side of her King of the Mountain single.
Michael Nguyen
I love how Kate Bush does a whispy cover of this song. Her interpretation is delicate, inviting, sensual and assertive. Very similar to indiefolk and indiepop singers today. I quite like it. She also doesn’t completely remove the RNB element from the original which I like. It’s nice, faithful to the Gaye version. But original
TheDaveyBoy
I like that she keeps the original beat of the song, which I think is a sign of a good cover. It's like it reminds the listener of the original as a tribute in and of itself. Where she makes it her own is in her voice, where she doesn't copy Marvin Gaye's tempo. A good cover, all in all.
Brendan
Ms Bush has always been a fan of a powerful, male voice; as in a voice that can 'throw you against the wall.' Therefore I have no doubt she is a massive Marvin Gaye fan, hence this cover. Her love for male singers shine through in her powerful voice...
Daniel Dantas
It seems to me this song had made for Kate's fantastic voice. Thanks, Marvin! Thanks, Kate!
Larryj Williams
What else could match this great tribute to Marvin Gaye, a writer and performer who ranks right up there with all-time artists worldwide. No one else could have done it so well as Kate Bush.
Steve Od
Yes, you would have though nobody could top MG's version - then along comes Kate! She was, and is, incredible. Just a wonderfully sensual production.