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Which songs kept Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill from number one in 1985?-Rachael O'Connor-Entertainment – Metro
There was some seriously tough competition.
Kate Bush has a whole new fan base thanks to Stranger Things (Picture: Getty Images)
Kate Bush has found a whole new generation of fans thanks to the renewed success of her song Running Up That Hill – which exploded in popularity after being featured in a critical moment in the fourth season of Netflix’s Stranger Things.
And fans of the singer – who celebrates her 64th birthday on July 30 – are in for a treat on that same day, as BBC Two devotes an entire night of programmes to the singing legend.
As well as two editions of Kate Bush At The BBC, featuring some classic performances, the documentary The Kate Bush Story: Running Up That Hill is also being aired, exploring her career from 1978 chart-topper Wuthering Heights to the 2011 album 50 Words For Snow.
Of course Running Up That Hill was first released in August 1985, but on that occasion Kate’s phenomenal track failed to crack the top – or even runner-up – spot, despite being in the top 10 for weeks.
In the summer of 1985 there was a lot of competition for the top spot in the UK charts.
The top 10 included massive hits such as Billy Idol’s White Wedding, Eurythmics’ There Must Be An Angel, and a lot of Madonna.
So, which songs kept Running Up That Hill from the number one spot when it was first released?
Which songs kept Running Up That Hill from number one in 1985?
Kate Bush’s number one hit Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) may have finally earned the top spot in the charts, but it took 37 years.
The track peaked at number three in the charts, and was kept off the top spot by two songs.
Madonna – Into The Groove
Madonna’s track Into The Groove was released on July 27, 1985, and spent a total of 16 weeks in the charts – including four weeks at number one.
From the trailblazing album Like A Virgin, it featured in the film Desperately Seeking Susan which starred Madonna herself.
As well as the UK, Into The Groove hit the top of the charts around the world including in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Spain.
UB40 Ft Chrissie Hynde – I Got You Babe
Running Up That Hill was also kept from first (and second) place on the charts thanks to UB40’s version of I Got You Babe which featured Chrissie Hynde.
It spent a total of seven weeks in the top 10, clinching the top spot for just a single week.
UB40’s track was a cover of the 1960’s version by Sonny and Cher (which incidentally also reached the top spot in the UK at the time.)
Why is Running Up That Hill back in the charts in 2022?
Running Up That Hill featured in a critical scene in the new series of Stranger Things (Picture: Netflix )
Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill is back in the charts in 2022 thanks, of course, to its appearance in Stranger Things.
It plays a vital part in one of the most stand-out scenes of the phenomenal fourth season, as main character Max faces off against the monstrous Vecna.
As her music was discovered for the first time by a brand new generation, the track has shot steadily up the charts in recent weeks.
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New record-breaker Kate recently issued a rare public statement when Running Up That Hill hit number two in the charts, admitting her excitement over the ‘whole new lease of life’ it gave her track.
She added: ‘Thanks very much to everyone who has supported the song. I wait with bated breath for the rest of the [Sranger Things] series in July.’
The Kate Bush Story: Running Up That Hill is on BBC Two on Saturday night at 9pm.
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