King of the Mountain (Kate Bush song)

Last updated

"King of the Mountain"
King of the mountain single.jpg
Single by Kate Bush
from the album Aerial
B-side "Sexual Healing"
Released24 October 2005 (2005-10-24)
Recorded1994–2005 [1]
Length4:26
Label EMI
Songwriter(s) Kate Bush
Producer(s) Kate Bush
Kate Bush singles chronology
"And So Is Love"
(1994)
"King of the Mountain"
(2005)
"Deeper Understanding (Director's Cut)"
(2011)
Music video
"King of the Mountain" on YouTube

"King of the Mountain" is a song by British singer-songwriter Kate Bush. Taken from her eighth album, Aerial (2005), it was released on 24 October 2005 as the album's only single and became her biggest hit in over a decade, peaking at number four in the United Kingdom and reaching the top 20 in several other European countries and Canada.

Contents

Overview

"King of the Mountain" was released as a single by EMI Records on 24 October 2005, [2] Bush's first single since "And So Is Love", which had been released 11 years before. It was first played on BBC Radio 2 on 21 September 2005. Written about ten years before most of the songs on Aerial, [1] the lyrics enquire whether Elvis Presley might still be alive someplace, "...looking like a happy man..." and playing with "Rosebud", Kane's childhood's sled, and comment on the pressures of extreme fame and wealth. In a November 2005 interview with BBC Four's Front Row Bush said, "I don't think human beings are really built to withstand that kind of fame." [1] Sung in a slightly slurred Elvis-type manner, [1] the track was produced by Bush; the recording was engineered by Del Palmer and mastered by James Guthrie. The cover art is a drawing by her son Bertie.

The B-side of the UK single is a cover version of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing", which features Irish musician Davy Spillane on uilleann pipes, originally recorded for his 1994 A Place Among the Stones album. The track was left off the Spillane album as it didn't fit with the sound of the rest of the record and before the 2005 release, Bush's version of "Sexual Healing" had only been heard publicly once, at the 1994 Kate Bush fan club convention in the Hippodrome, London.

Chart performance

Upon its release, the single entered the UK Singles Chart at number four, becoming Bush's first top-10 single in nearly 20 years (since "Don't Give Up", her duet with Peter Gabriel, reached number nine in 1986). The single also reached the top five in Canada and charted in several other countries. It is the only single from the album Aerial .

Music video

The music video received its first airing on the UK's Channel 4 on 15 October 2005. It was directed by Jimmy Murakami, produced by Michael Algar, edited at The Farm (Dublin) by Hugh Chaloner with flame and 3D effects by Niall O hOisin, Arron Inglis, Brian O'Durnin and Mark from Australia.

Live performances

The track was performed live at the Before the Dawn residency in 2014, and a live version released on the Before the Dawn album in 2016.

Track listing

Standard [3] [4] [5]
No.TitleLength
1."King of the Mountain"4:53
2."Sexual Healing"5:58

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "King of the Mountain"
Chart (2005)Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [6] 71
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) [7] 5
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [8] 12
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [9] 3
Germany (Official German Charts) [10] 42
Greece (IFPI Greece) [11] 31
Ireland (IRMA) [12] 13
Italy (FIMI) [13] 24
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [14] 13
Scotland (OCC) [15] 4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [16] 47
UK Singles (OCC) [17] 4

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Bush</span> British singer-songwriter (born 1958)

Catherine Bush is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer and dancer. In 1978, at the age of 19, she topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks with her debut single "Wuthering Heights", becoming the first female artist to achieve a UK number one with a self-written song. Bush has since released 25 UK Top 40 singles, including the Top 10 hits "The Man with the Child in His Eyes", "Babooshka", "Running Up That Hill", "Don't Give Up" and "King of the Mountain". All ten of her studio albums reached the UK Top 10, with all bar one reaching the top five, including the UK number one albums Never for Ever (1980), Hounds of Love (1985) and the compilation The Whole Story (1986). She was the first British solo female artist to top the UK album charts and the first female artist to enter the album chart at number one.

<i>The Dreaming</i> (album) 1982 studio album by Kate Bush

The Dreaming is the fourth studio album by English art rock singer Kate Bush, released on 13 September 1982 by EMI Records. Recorded over two years, the album was produced entirely by Bush and is often characterised as her most uncommercial and experimental release. The Dreaming peaked at No. 3 on the UK album chart and has been certified Silver by the BPI, but initially sold less than its predecessors and was met with mixed critical reception. Five singles from the album were released, including the UK No. 11 "Sat in Your Lap" and the title track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dare (song)</span> 2005 single by Gorillaz and Shaun Ryder

"Dare" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz, taken as the second single from their second studio album, Demon Days. The track features Happy Mondays and Black Grape frontman Shaun Ryder and is also sung by Rosie Wilson with backing vocals from Damon Albarn. It peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart in September 2005, becoming the band's only UK number one. "Dare" additionally reached the top 10 in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, and Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dirty Harry (song)</span> 2005 single by Gorillaz and Bootie Brown

"Dirty Harry" is a song from British alternative rock virtual band Gorillaz' second studio album, Demon Days (2005).

<i>Aerial</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Kate Bush

Aerial is the eighth album by English singer-songwriter and musician Kate Bush. It was released as a double album in 2005, twelve years after her 1993 album The Red Shoes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tripping (song)</span> 2005 single by Robbie Williams

"Tripping" is a song by British singer Robbie Williams from his sixth studio album Intensive Care (2005). The single was released as the album's lead single on 3 October 2005 through Chrysalis Records. Backed with the track "Make Me Pure", also from the same album, it was sent to radio stations around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Advertising Space</span> 2005 single by Robbie Williams

"Advertising Space" is a song by British singer Robbie Williams, for his sixth studio album, Intensive Care (2005). It was released as the third single from the album on 12 December 2005 and reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart. Williams jokingly called the song his "Candle in the Wind". In the video, largely filmed in a room above the Belle Vue pub in Blackpool in the United Kingdom, Williams emulates Elvis in movement, appearance, and habits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spending My Time</span> 1991 song by Roxette

"Spending My Time" is a song by Swedish duo Roxette, released as the fourth single from their third studio album, Joyride (1991). It was written by Per Gessle and Mats Persson, and produced by Clarence Öfwerman. The single attained moderate success, reaching the top ten in Germany and Italy, and the top twenty in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, while peaking at number twenty-two on the UK Singles Chart and thirty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sensual World (song)</span> 1989 single by Kate Bush

"The Sensual World" is a song by the English singer Kate Bush. It was the title track and first single from her album of the same name, released in September 1989. The single entered and peaked at No. 12 on the UK Single Chart. It was later re-recorded using only words taken from Molly Bloom's soliloquy from James Joyce's 1922 novel Ulysses, as Bush had originally intended whilst recording The Sensual World album. This version, re-titled "Flower of the Mountain", appears on the 2011 album Director's Cut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rubberband Girl</span> 1993 single by Kate Bush

"Rubberband Girl" is a song by English singer-songwriter Kate Bush that was the first of five singles released from her seventh studio album, The Red Shoes, in 1993. The song marked Bush's return from her third three-year hiatus. Not counting "Rocket Man", this was her first UK release in 39 months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shot You Down</span> 2005 single by Audio Bullys

"Shot You Down" is a song by English electronic music project Audio Bullys featuring vocal samples from American singer Nancy Sinatra from her cover of the 1966 song "Bang Bang ". It became a No. 3 hit in the United Kingdom in mid-2005 and reached the top 20 in Australia and the Netherlands the same year. Sinatra is credited as being featured on the song since her vocal samples are an integral part of the song. The song is featured on the album Generation, released on 31 October 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roc Ya Body (Mic Check 1 2)</span> 2005 single by MVP

"Roc Ya Body " is the debut single of American hip hop group MVP featuring rapper Stagga Lee. Released on June 20, 2005, the single peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart, number six on the Irish Singles Chart, number 15 on the Dutch Single Top 100, and number 82 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The group released a follow-up single called "Bounce, Shake, Move, Stop!" in the United Kingdom the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Again (Faith Evans song)</span> 2005 single by Faith Evans

"Again" is a song by American singer Faith Evans. It was written by Ivan Barias, Carvin Haggins, and Evans for her fourth studio album The First Lady (2005), while production was helmed by Barias and Haggins under their production moniker Carvin & Ivan. It contains a sample from "Genuine" by American 1970s soul group the Whatnauts. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Jerry Harris and Venus Dodson are also credited as songwriters. A midtempo R&B song with heavy neo soul and Motown influences, it discusses Evans's 2004 arrest for drug possession.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay (Eternal song)</span> 1993 single by Eternal

"Stay" is a song written by Bob Khozouri and Mark Stevens, and originally recorded by American singer Glenn Jones and released in 1990. It reached number six on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart. The song became a worldwide hit for British girl group Eternal in 1993 and 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Walked Love</span> 1994 single by Exposé

"In Walked Love" is a song by the American girl group Exposé. Written by Diane Warren and produced by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero, the song can be found on the group's 1992 album Exposé, their third studio album. Lead vocals on the pop ballad were performed by Ann Curless. The song features Al Pitrelli as guest guitarist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mesmerized (song)</span> 2005 single by Faith Evans

"Mesmerized" is a song by American R&B recording artist Faith Evans from her fourth studio album, The First Lady (2005). Inspired by producer Chucky Thompson's original track, which contains interpolations from Johnnie Taylor's 1968 single "Who's Making Love", written by Homer Banks, Don Davis, Bettye Crutcher, and Raymond Jackson, and George Benson's "Footin' It", crafted by Benson and Donald Sebesky, Evans wrote the song alongside Andre Johnson, Kameelah Williams, Thompson, and husband Todd Russaw; its production was handled by Johnson, Thompson and Russaw. A throwback to 1960s music, the uptempo funk song exhibits style similar to that of Lyn Collins, Aretha Franklin and James Brown, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't You Love Me (Eternal song)</span> 1997 single by Eternal

"Don't You Love Me" is a song by British R&B girl group Eternal. It was the second single to be released from their third studio album, Before the Rain (1997). The song's lyrics deal with child neglect and abuse and features the London Community Gospel Choir on backing vocals. It peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in March 1997, becoming the group's tenth top-10 entry on the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faithful (Go West song)</span> 1992 single by Go West

"Faithful" is a song by English pop duo Go West. The song is the opening track on the band's fourth album, Indian Summer (1992), and serves as the album's lead single. Written by the band and Martin Page and produced by Peter Wolf, the song reached the top 20 in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Its highest chart position was in Canada, where it peaked at number two in February 1993. It also reached number three on the adult contemporary charts of both Canada and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocket Man (song)</span> 1972 single by Elton John

"Rocket Man" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. It was originally released on 17 April 1972 in the US, as the lead single to John's album Honky Château. The song first charted in the UK on 22 April, rising to No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming a major hit single for John.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power of a Woman (song)</span> 1995 single by Eternal

"Power of a Woman" is a song by British R&B girl group Eternal. It was written by the songwriting duo of Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers, and was released as the first single from their second studio album, Power of a Woman. It was also the group's first release as a trio after the departure of Louise Redknapp. "Power of a Woman" peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart and became the group's fifth top-10 single. In Australia, the song became the group's second top-10 single, reaching number eight in April 1996.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Gaffaweb – Kate Bush – REACHING OUT – BBC4 "Front Row"" . Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  2. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . 22 October 2005. p. 33.
  3. King of the Mountain (UK CD single liner notes). Kate Bush. EMI Records. 2005. CDEM 674, 0946 343524 2 0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. King of the Mountain (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Kate Bush. EMI Records. 2005. EM 674, 0946 343524 7 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. King of the Mountain (Canadian CD single liner notes). Kate Bush. EMI Records. 2005. 09463435242 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. "Kate Bush – King of the Mountain" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  7. "Kate Bush Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  8. "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 117, no. 46. 12 November 2005. p. 55. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  9. "Kate Bush: King of the Mountain" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  10. "Kate Bush – King of the Mountain" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  11. "Top 50 Singles: Eβδομάδα 11-17/12" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 17 December 2005. Retrieved 17 December 2005.
  12. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – King of the Mountain". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  13. "Kate Bush – King of the Mountain". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  14. "Kate Bush – King of the Mountain" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  15. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  16. "Kate Bush – King of the Mountain". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  17. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 April 2020.