Now trying to get chronologically back on track there's a bit of a lull in good 1980 single territory at the mo (the calm before the storm...) although I did notice that this single by Kate Bush was in the charts at this time of year thirty years ago.
And pretty 'wow amazing' stuff it was too; our Kate comes back from the luke-warmly received second album Lionheart with a slow, complex song ("my little symphony") about a foetus, and the perils of smoking and nuclear fallout. Wow.
Musically it's far from catchy let alone danceable or radio-friendly (over five minutes long) and in complete contrast to a lot of the pop pap that was going around (think Johnny Logan, Nolan Sisters) and even the post-punk pop of, say, Blondie, Undertones et al. Its chart success however just shows how well established Ms Bush' fan base was, and although Breathing hardly makes for easy listening the single is a classic in its own right and is a testament to Kate as a unique and 'who gives a toss about the rest' recording and performance artist. Released a full three months ahead of the Never Forever album (more of that later, readers) Breathing reached an amaaaazing number 16 on the British charts.
Kate Bush: "um, my next song is about a foetus and nuclear fallout. Sing along if you like.."
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