This song refers to Georges Ivanovich Gurdjieff (1877-1949), a Greek-Armenian mystic and spiritual teacher who used stylized dance to help people to unleash the powers within themselves and develop their full capabilities.
In the lyrics, the knowledge-hungry singer wants to learn from a variety of teachers, not just Gurdjieff, whom she heard her father and brother discussing while she was writing the tune. She explained in a 1979 fan club article: "I thought it was important not to be narrow-minded just because we talked about Gurdjieff. I knew that I didn't mean his system was the only way, and that was why it was important to include Whirling Dervishes and Jesus, because they are strong, too. Anyway, in the long run, although somebody might be into all of them, it's really you that does it - they're just the vehicle to get you there."
Them Heavy People
Kate Bush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rolling (rolling) the ball, rolling (rolling) the ball, rolling (rolling) the ball to me
They arrived at an inconvenient time
I was hiding in a room in my mind
They made me look at myself
I saw it well, I'd shut the people out of my life
So now I take the opportunities
I must work on my mind
For now I realize
Everyone of us has a heaven inside
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Them heavy people help me
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Rolling the ball (rolling), rolling the ball (rolling), rolling the ball to me
They open doorways that I thought were shut for good
They read me Gurdjieff and Jesu
They build up my body, break me emotionally
It's nearly killing me, but what a lovely feeling!
I love the whirling of the dervishes
I love the beauty of rare innocence
You don't need no crystal ball
Don't fall for a magic wand
We humans got it all, we perform the miracles
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Them heavy people help me
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Rolling the ball (rolling), rolling the ball(rolling), rolling the ball to me
Kate Bush's "Them Heavy People" is a song about the benefactors in our lives, those people who come along and inspire us to see ourselves more clearly and to become better versions of ourselves. In the song's opening lines, she sings "rolling the ball to me," a metaphor for these benefactors giving her the tools she needs to change. She goes on to explain that when these people appeared in her life, it was an inconvenient time, and she was already hiding away in her mind. But with their help, she's realizing that shutting people out of her life was a mistake, and that everyone has a heaven inside of them that they can tap into if they only know how.
Throughout the song, Bush highlights how these heavy people hit her in a soft spot, breaking her emotionally but building up her body and mind at the same time. She loves the whirling of the dervishes, and the beauty of rare innocence, and she sees humans as capable of achieving miracles without needing a magic wand or crystal ball. Ultimately, she celebrates the heavy people who helped her see all of these things and improve herself, reconnecting with the world around her and feeling at peace with who she is.
Overall, "Them Heavy People" is a powerful message about the importance of having teachers and guides in our lives who can help us become the best versions of ourselves. Kate Bush uses her unique musical stylings and clever lyrics to turn this message into an uplifting and inspiring song that resonates with listeners across generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Rolling (rolling) the ball, rolling (rolling) the ball, rolling (rolling) the ball to me
The universe is presenting me with opportunities and guidance.
They arrived at an inconvenient time
These opportunities emerged when I least expected them.
I was hiding in a room in my mind
I was avoiding facing my own issues and challenges.
They made me look at myself
These opportunities forced me to confront my own flaws and weaknesses.
I saw it well, I'd shut the people out of my life
I realized that I had been isolating myself from others.
So now I take the opportunities
I am actively pursuing these chances for growth and enlightenment.
Wonderful teachers ready to teach me
I have encountered mentors who are willing to guide and instruct me.
I must work on my mind
I know that I still have much to learn and improve upon.
For now I realize
I have had an epiphany and awakened to a new understanding.
Everyone of us has a heaven inside
We all have the potential for spiritual enlightenment within us.
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
These opportunities and mentors have impacted me profoundly.
Them heavy people help me
These experiences are aiding me in my personal growth.
They open doorways that I thought were shut for good
These opportunities have revealed paths that I previously believed were closed off to me.
They read me Gurdjieff and Jesu
These mentors have introduced me to new spiritual teachings and philosophies.
They build up my body, break me emotionally
These experiences are both physically challenging and emotionally impactful.
It's nearly killing me, but what a lovely feeling!
Although these challenges are pushing me to my limits, I am also experiencing a beautiful sense of growth and transformation.
I love the whirling of the dervishes
I find beauty and meaning in spiritual practices and rituals.
I love the beauty of rare innocence
I value innocence and purity in others and in myself.
You don't need no crystal ball
You don't need external tools or methods to enlighten yourself.
Don't fall for a magic wand
Don't rely on quick fixes or easy solutions.
We humans got it all, we perform the miracles
We all have the potential for greatness and the ability to achieve amazing things.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATE BUSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FocusOnThePositive
I will forever associate this song with my own spiritual awakening. It was 3am on a weeknight with work a few hours away, as I had been eyeballs deep for months in a search for truth in ancient cultures and religions.
When I stumbled upon this song, I broke down and weeped for a good 15 minutes, pure joy and happiness. "Because now I realize...everyone of us has a Heaven inside!" And THAT is the secret of the ancients. THAT is what we are not supposed to know...that we have limitless potential if we expand our consciousness.
"I must work on my mind!" "We perform the miracles!" We are the Energy of the Universe operating at a certain vibration, and we are all connected. Our divisions are creations of our conscious egos, nothing more, nothing less.
Why would I not be kind and happy and giving and peaceful to everyone I meet? Why would I give and receive anything other than Love?
Thank you, Kate Bush - you beautiful, Enlightened woman - for having an incredibly positive effect on my life. Every time I hear this song now, my crown tingles and energy shoots up my spine :)
Thanks for reading, and I hope this comment has a positive effect on someone else. Love.
Gabriel Henrique
Rolling (rolling) the ball, rolling (rolling) the ball, rolling (rolling) the ball to me
Rolling (rolling) the ball, rolling (rolling) the ball, rolling (rolling) the ball to me
They arrived at an inconvenient time
I was hiding in a room in my mind
They made me look at myself
I saw it well, I'd shut the people out of my life
So now I take the opportunities
Wonderful teachers ready to teach me
I must work on my mind
For now I realize
Everyone of us has a heaven inside
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Them heavy people help me
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Rolling the ball (rolling), rolling the ball (rolling), rolling the ball to me
They open doorways that I thought were shut for good
They read me Gurdjieff and Jesu
They build up my body, break me emotionally
It's nearly killing me, but what a lovely feeling!
I love the whirling of the dervishes
I love the beauty of rare innocence
You don't need no crystal ball
Don't fall for a magic wand
We humans got it all, we perform the miracles
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Them heavy people help me
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Rolling the ball (rolling), rolling the ball(rolling), rolling the ball to me
Alexandre Cruz
[LYRICS]
Rolling the ball, rolling the ball, rolling the ball to me
They arrived at an inconvenient time
I was hiding in a room in my mind
They made me look at myself, I saw it well
I'd shut the people out of my life
So now I take the opportunities
Wonderful teachers ready to teach me
I must work on my my mind
For now I realize everyone of us
Has a heaven inside
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Them heavy people help me
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Rolling the ball, rolling the ball, rolling the ball to me
They open dooways that I thought were shut for good
They read me Gurdjieff and Jesu
The build up my body
Break me emotionally, it's nearly killing me
But what a lovely feeling
I love the whirling of the dervishes
I love the beauty of rare innocence
You don't need no crystal ball
Don't fall for a magic wand
We humans got it all, we perform the miracles
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Them heavy people help me
Them heavy people hit me in a soft spot
Rolling the ball, rolling the ball, rolling the ball to me
Alwyn Tomlinson
singer , actress and storyteller, she looks and sounds fantastic- no one compares
David x.
I'm 59 and still have many of her albums and tapes, she had a beautiful voice.
Audra Perkins
@YAKITA all round fabulous, she's just wonderful , a delight to hear .
Annarita Ranalli
That woman has got so many talents
YAKITA
Actriz y narradora? Perdón es que apenas la conozco, me podrías explicar?
Sean14
Your description is perfect
Amorr Winterstorm
Her facial expressions are superb like always
leukdagen11
And such a gorgeous face.
Sean14
What a beautiful woman ....she's got it all
Damoiselle CADILLAC Du CARLADEZ
@Gus MacLeod c'était une AFFRIMATION pas une question. Sinon, il y aurait un POINT D INTERROGATION qui finirait mon commentaire, pas 3 petit points de suspension !