80s icon Kate Bush is making headlines again due to her recent appearance in Stranger Things. In season 4, episode 4 of the Netflix series, Bush's song "Running Up That Hill" plays a pivotal role in saving Sadie Sink's character, Max, from the evil Vecna. The song, which goes: "And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God, and I'd get him to swap our places," makes several appearances in season 4 as Max's favorite song, and describes her feelings towards her brother, Billy (Dacre Montgomery), who died the season prior.
Safe to say, fans were emotional over this song choice and its use in the season's most climactic scene. As Max is possessed by Vecna and taken to the Upside Down, the gang works tirelessly to bring her back and discover music is Vecna's weakness. Blasting Max's favorite song, her happiest memories flash before her eyes and she finds the strength to escape the Upside Down and join her friends in the real world. It's an emotionally charged scene that, paired with an emotionally charged song, has the ingredients to go down in TV history. And Stranger Things isn't the only TV series improved by Kate Bush; from Glow to Firefly Lane, here are five more shows blessed by the singer's music.
Glow (2017-2019)
Created by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch for Netflix, Glow is a comedy-drama series that follows a group of female wrestlers in 1980s LA. Alison Brie leads the cast as Ruth Wilder, an out-of-work actress who, along with former soap star Debbie Eagan (Betty Gilpin), attends a casting call and becomes a member of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW).
"Running Up That Hill" makes an appearance in season 3, episode 9 of Glow, titled "The Libertines." At the Libertine Ball — an AIDS charity event, hosted by drag queen Bobby Barnes (Kevin Cahoon) — former Vegas Showgirl Sandy Devereaux St. Clair (Geena Davis) is mid-act when she smells smoke. Sure enough, there's a fire backstage, and when everyone evacuates the building they find the grounds outside graffitied with homophobic slurs. It's at this moment Kate Bush chimes in with, "C'mon baby, c'mon on darling. Let me steal this moment from you now."
The Handmaid's Tale (2017-)
Based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel of the same name, The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian TV series created by Bruce Miller for Hulu. Set in the fictional totalitarian state of Gilead, where women are subjugated and assigned oppressive roles, it follows Handmaid June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) who wishes to return to her previous life and reunite with her husband and daughter.
Bush makes two notable appearances in The Handmaid's Tale; first in season 2, episode 1 with "This Woman's Work" and then in season 3, episode 11 with "Cloudbusting." In the first, June and a group of other Handmaids are led to a row of nooses where they are about to be hanged, however when the lever drops — and Bush mournfully sings, "Just make it go away now" — nothing happens: it was a mock execution. In the second, a group of Martha's (servants) cover up a crime scene where, earlier, June murdered a rapist. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Bush's lyrics: "I just know that something good is gonna happen," provide hope for viewers.
Pose (2018-2021)
Groundbreaking drama series Pose is a trip into NYC's underground ball culture during the height of the AIDS epidemic. Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals for FX, it boasts the largest transgender cast in TV history. At the heart of the series is Blanca (Mj Rodriguez), an HIV-positive woman who opens her door to a dancer, drifter, and sex worker, and forms the legendary House of Evangelista.
In the pilot episode of Pose, "Running Up That Hill" holds sentimental value for sex worker Angel (Indya Moore), and the wealthy businessman she begins seeing, Stan (Evan Peters). After spending the night together, Angel and Stan are kissing in his car when Bush's song plays on the radio. "It's you and me," the singer croons, before Angel looks at Stan and tells him, "This song is going to be our song from now on." Things don't pan out for the couple, but fans remember this scene with fondness.
It's A Sin (2021)
British drama miniseries It's A Sin is also set during the AIDS epidemic, albeit in London, UK. Created by Russell T Davies for Channel 4, it stars Olly Alexander, Callum Scott Howells, and Omari Douglas as three young gay men whose lives are threatened by a virus most of the world chooses to ignore. The series follows the characters over a decade, capturing the highs and very low lows of their youth.
Another "Running Up That Hill" entry, this time the song appears in a much sadder scene between Ritchie (Alexander) and his close friend, Jill (Lydia West). In the final episode of It's A Sin, Ritchie is losing his battle with AIDS and Jill is doing everything in her power to save him. "Come on you, bedtime. It's late, nearly half-past seven," she tells him, as the drum sound kicks in, and Ritchie is escorted to his room. Here, viewers watch the bittersweet exchange of Jill feeding Ritchie pills as Bush sings those heartbreaking words: "And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God..."
Firefly Lane (2021-)
Another Netflix series, Firefly Lane is created by Aaron Au and follows best friends Tully (Katherine Heigl) and Kate (Sarah Chalke) throughout three decades of friendship. First meeting in the 70s, it sees them transform from angsty teenagers (played by Ali Skovbye and Roan Curtis, respectively) to accomplished career women with problems of their own. As they go through life's ups and downs, all that remains constant is their inseparable bond.
In season 1, episode 10 of Firefly Lane, "This Woman's Work" plays as a young Tully is taken to live with her grandmother after her mother is charged with drug possession. As Tully sits in the back of a police car crying, Kate runs after her as Bush sings, "I know you have a little life in you yet. I know you have a lot of strength left." And whilst Kate might not have been able to save Tully on this occasion, as the song continues in the current timeline, she is able to show up for her now.