Kate Bush – NZ Film Freak

Cloudbusting – Kate Bush

I am a huge Kate Bush fan, but Cloudbusting has to be my favourite song.

I just know that something good is going to happen
And I don’t know when
But just saying it could even make it happen

I never knew what the song was about until now. I thought it was like a pep-talk about good things being just around the corner.

In fact, Cloudbusting is about a real-life father-son duo in the 1950s who believed they had invented a machine, called a cloudbuster, to make it rain. This invention would result in crops being saved during a drought if successful.

But every time it rains
You’re here in my head
Like the sun coming out

However, the father became paranoid and began to get into trouble with the government after suspicions of his invention being phoney spread. He refused to go to court, and along with other reasons, he was arrested. (I think I’ve understood this correctly; it’s quite a complicated story.)

I can’t hide you
From the government
Oh, god, daddy
I won’t forget

Kate Bush’s song is from the point of view of the son who watches his beloved father getting taken away by the government.

You could see them coming
You looked too small
In their big, black car
To be a threat to the men in power

It’s such a haunting song because of the cello and the lyrics. But it’s equally uplifting, as she interprets the feeling of breaking new ground and the excitement of it.

Let’s Make This Earth From House To Home – Lyrics of Two

lyrics of two

Lyrics of Two is an indie/folk/pop band from California with a unique style. They have been the #1 band in Los Angeles Deli Music Charts, a chart for emerging and indie artists, and have been well-received by a dedicated following.

Their recent single, Let’s Make This Earth From House to Home, is a tender and idealistic song about how our world could be a blissful utopia.

The lyrics are written by published poet and author, Marie Helen Abramyan, who founded Lyrics of Two Publishing and recently released a children’s book titled ‘The Rhyming Tales Of The Helpful Friends And The Garden Show’. Her story-like song writing captures your imagination. The rhymes and imagery used reminds me of a simplified Johanna Newsom or Kate Bush sort of style of song writing.

A mother’s gentle love, an elder’s wise words
Same heart and soul, no matter where in the world
So in this one world, we got one chance, under this one sky
Let’s come together for all mankind

Lyrics of Two’s single certainly channels eco-warrior values, with a gentle, swaying tune that taps into the idealistic point-of-view of how today’s world should be. To bring countries and cultures and peoples together, rather than living in war-town and fractured societies.

Let’s bring peace to this world
No more sadness, hate or hurt
Only kindness, compassion, and unity
For the sake of all humanity
Let’s make this earth from house to home

This song strongly echoes a less-dramatic and a more soothing Earth Song by Michael Jackson. It’s a nurturing and embracing song that features breathy and passionate vocals, which evokes the authenticity of the band’s message.

Check out their website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Listen to Let’s Make This Earth From House to Home here.

Top 4: Favourite Christmas Songs

Best Christmas songs

I’m honestly not a massive fan of festive music. However, here are four (and a half) songs in my December play list:

Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Written by Frank Loesser in 1944, the original was sung by Ricardo Montalban and Esther Williams, which I just think is a gorgeously dramatic and almost comedic rendition. I love this!

Although the second part is by Betty Garrat and Red Skelton, their version just looks creepy…

However, the first version I heard was by Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone, which I heard in the hilarious movie, Elf.

Updated 2015: Just found this song done by Sharon Van Etten and Rufus Wainwright (he’s on the Moulin Rouge soundtrack)… This is definitely awesome.

Lady Gaga and the handsomely dashing Joseph Gordon-Levitt have done a cover of it too, but I don’t think it was that great…

—
December Will Be Magic Again
Okay, sure, Kate Bush is a little on the peculiar side, but so is Fiona Apple and Joanna Newsom, and yet we have enjoyed their music. Or at least covers of their songs like when The Decemberists covered Newsom’s song: Bridges And Balloons. So, give Kate a chance with this one, please.

I found it the most magical song to listen to, particularly when reading the lyrics along with the song. Her stories are so enchanting.

Upon the black-soot icicled rooves,
Ooh, and see how I fall.
See how I fall…

Come to cover the lovers.
(But don’t you wake ’em up.)
Come to sparkle the dark up.
(With just a touch of make-up.)
Come to cover the muck up.
(Ooh, with a little luck.)

—
Merry Christmas Everybody
Written and composed by Slade in 1973 – I love this song. It’s a tad melancholy, but I think Christmas can be slow, reflective time of year anyway.

—
Sleigh Ride
Composed by Leroy Anderson during a heat wave in 1946, the lyrics were written by Mitchell Parish in 1950.

However, my favourite version is by KT Tunstall. She’s made it rockier.

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Just as a side note, although not a Christmas song as such, 17 by Kings of Leon weirdly makes me think of Christmas..? Maybe it’s just the use of bells.

So those are a few to add to your play list this Christmas! Enjoy!
Jodie.