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.
The Rare Flower
Kate Bush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That thing that is nurtured and loved.
It's quite an occasion.
It's driving me crazy.
I'm not allowed to touch on lust.
I've gotta get a hold of myself.
I mustn't admit it.
I don't see why I shouldn't,
I don't see why I shouldn't,
I don't see why I shouldn't
Pick the rare flower.
I don't see why I shouldn't,
Well I don't see why I shouldn't,
I don't see why I shouldn't
Pick the rare flower.
Whoooo
Walking in a Paradise or Eden,
Whoa, temptation:
Give me one second to succumb.
It's calling me.
With a menacing whisper of,
Magic offer a-charming me./Magical world enchanting me.
Why I've gotta get a hold of myself,
You see, but it ain't easy.
I don't see why I shouldn't,
I don't see why I shouldn't,
I don't see why I shouldn't
Pick the rare flower.
I don't see why I shouldn't,
I don't see why I shouldn't,
I don't see why I shouldn't
Pick the rare flower.
Whoooo
In the song "The Rare Flower" by Kate Bush, the lyrics describe a struggle between resisting temptation and giving in to one's desires. The singer sees beauty in something that is sacred and nurtured, perhaps an object of desire or a person, and is tempted to give in to lust. However, they acknowledge that they are not allowed to touch on this desire, and that they must get a hold of themselves and not admit their feelings. Despite this, the singer continues to be pulled towards the rare flower, which symbolizes their temptation, like a whisper of magic or a charming embrace. The lyrics repeat the refrain of "I don't see why I shouldn't/Pick the rare flower," expressing the longing and frustration of wanting something that they know they shouldn't have.
The song explores themes of temptation, desire, and self-control, as well as the tension between the sacred and the profane. The rare flower could represent various forms of temptation, such as a forbidden relationship or a dangerous addiction, and the singer's struggle to resist it reflects the universal struggle of human nature. The lyrics also suggest a longing for paradise or Eden, a place of innocence and purity before the fall of humanity, where there are no restrictions on desire. Ultimately, the singer must make a choice whether to give in to their desire or to continue to resist, and the song leaves this decision unresolved.
Line by Line Meaning
There's beauty in such a sacred structure, oh,
The beauty of something so revered is something to behold.
That thing that is nurtured and loved.
Something that is carefully cultivated and cherished.
It's quite an occasion.
It's an important event.
It's driving me crazy.
It's making me feel insane.
I'm not allowed to touch on lust.
I can't talk about or act on my desire.
I've gotta get a hold of myself.
I need to control myself.
I mustn't admit it.
I can't confess my feelings.
I don't see why I shouldn't, I don't see why I shouldn't, I don't see why I shouldn't Pick the rare flower.
I don't understand why I can't have what I desire.
Walking in a Paradise or Eden, Whoa, temptation: Give me one second to succumb.
Even in the idyllic setting of paradise, temptation still exists.
It's calling me.
I feel pulled towards it.
With a menacing whisper of, Magic offer a-charming me./Magical world enchanting me.
The allure of magic and enchantment is tempting me in a sinister way.
Why I've gotta get a hold of myself, You see, but it ain't easy.
I need to control myself, but it's difficult.
Whoooo
Musical interlude.
Contributed by Anthony J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MagicPants
That piano part is impressive on its own. Singing and playing it at the same time is amazing. She is such a good pianist, which is something people don't really mention that much.
IAmPlaysWithSquirrel
She's a much better pianist than she gives herself credit for.
Cati Glüzmann
Kate has a very marked own style, And for an artist is so.important, I really love her
mauricio castanheira
She is absolutely adorable. Voyce magical, very very talented, inteligent and unic. I love kate bush forever...
Bats&Spiders,Sweety
She is Art.
Katie Irvine
I can't believe that there is actually some stuff by my herione that I havent't heard. Thankyou so much....this is very special to me:)
spangle69
This is a fantastic record!
Wanda Slice
oddly this is the first kate bush song i was introduced too
sjorsjimmie
love the rawness of the recording, but great clarity as if she is paying in the room next door, I wish.
Stink Fistula
First of all thank you. And if they haven't been released, they should be as I would snap it up in a heartbeat. Especially the unreleased material.