For this month’s The Original Vs. Cover, we are going to talk about a song that became famous again because of a TV show 37 years after it’s release. The song is “Running Up That Hill” which was released way back in 1985 by Kate Bush. It did really well going to #30 on the Hot 100 Charts. Thanks to the show ‘Stranger Things’, that same song became a hit again in 2022 going all the way to #23 so it did a little better the second. Here’s the thing, I don’t remember this song back in 1985. Nope, first time I remember really hearing this song was back in 2016 when Norway’s Jorn Lande recorded the song for his covers album, 2016’s ‘Heavy Rock Radio’ which he released as a single. Now, it didn’t chart anywhere in the U.S., but that is the song I remember.

The song was written by Kate Bush is about the lack of understanding between men and women. They can’t really communicate with each other. At least not very well. It was like running up a hill that would never end. She imagined that if they made a deal with God, they could exchange places with each other and gain a better understanding of how the other half thinks.. The song was originally called “Deal With God” but record executives felt that some more religious companies might not like it much.

KATE BUSH:

Kate’s version is pure 80’s with the luscious keyboards, the electronic drums and everything about it screams 80’s to me. I would consider Kate’s version to be more art pop than new wave. It feels epic in styling, there is an urgency to it, a seriousness, a real dramatic tone to the song. The song feels like it is getting bigger and bigger as the music seems to get more intense as the drums beat a little harder, the vocals get a little more intense and then it slows down again. The keyboards have a cello sounding effect at times giving it a whole orchestration feel to it. Kate’s vocals are a little monotonous at times, and drone on although they are impactful at times also as I do feel the emotion she is feeling. There are lots of layers and added effects with her vocals as well making her her own background vocalist as well.

JORN LANDE:

Jorn Lande covered the song for his Heavy Rock Radio covers album so if you know Jorn, you know this song is going to rock hard and heavy. And it does just that. The keyboards are replaced with guitars, bass and some real damn drums. Jorn made it his own as this song sounds nothing like the original. If it wasn’t for the lyrics, you’d have no idea this was the same song. Jorn gives it his all vocally with his David Coverdale-esque vocals and the emotion he musters is more angry then the type of emotion Kate has with hers. That intensity of emotion is missing here. Here you get a plain and simple rock version of the song and it doesn’t have the feels it should. You get a fantastic guitar solo, a great instrumental break and an explosive ending with some sirens…huh?

THE VERDICT:

In 1985, I wouldn’t have given this song the time of day as I was in to Def Leppard and Ratt at the time. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great song, just not something I enjoyed back then. Jorn’s version is so much more up my alley as far as what I enjoy and like. The problem with Jorn’s version is the emotion, the heart of the song is totally missing. You don’t feel the desperation in the fact the man and the woman can’t communicate or understand with each other. Kate’s original version has those feelings even if the keyboards and electronic drums I can’t stand. So, I could say I don’t like either version and that would be true, but I do need to pick a winner. I will go with Kate’s for the fact it at least has the intended emotions needed for the lyrics. Plus, my youngest daughter really liked this song and put it in her playlist of songs so Kate wins this one.

THE LYRICS:

“Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”

It doesn’t hurt me
Do you wanna feel how it feels?
Do you wanna know, know that it doesn’t hurt me?
Do you wanna hear about the deal that I’m making?
You, it’s you and me

And if I only could
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
Say, if I only could, ooh

You don’t wanna hurt me
But see how deep the bullet lies
Unaware I’m tearing you asunder
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts

Is there so much hate for the ones we love?
Oh, tell me, we both matter, don’t we?
You, it’s you and me
It’s you and me won’t be unhappy

And if I only could
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
Say, if I only could, ooh

You
It’s you and me
It’s you and me won’t be unhappy

Oh, come on, baby. Oh, come on, darling
Let me steal this moment from you now
Oh, come on, angel. Come on, come on, darling
Let’s exchange the experience, ooh

And if I only could
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
I’d be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems

Say, if I only could
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems

So if I only could
And make a deal with God
I’d get him to swap our places
I’d be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems

So if I only could
Be running up that hill
With no problems

If I only could, be running up that hill
If I only could, be running up that hill