Today’s Illustrated Woman in History was illustrated by Rebecca Warren and written by Christie Brewster @spawnartisticdirections.
Kate Bush, classic and influential musical artist, is many things to many people. A sophisticated pop composer whose gift for melody, chords and arrangement ranks with the best of her contemporaries. Writer and performer of hits that still stand out on nostalgic radio. An icon for womanhood and for unashamed femininity, and the strength therein. And a standard bearer for auteurship and originality in her creative field. Though sporadic, new projects from her remain much anticipated. And her contribution to the music video and choreography, and interpretations of literature, remain discussed and influential.
Kate Bush’ career began in the mid-’70s, with a record deal before she finished education. By her insistence, the first single released from her debut album was Wuthering Heights. Wildly successful and critically acclaimed, winning awards and chart success, it remains admired to this day. Between the power in performance, crisp production, lyrics one might take pause for, and how it creates impact in the first seconds, it earns its acclaim. With its impressive musical structure (try counting the beat in the chorus or guitar solo), and the breadth of audience it reached with its stylings, it’s rather a deserved classic.
The album was a strong one, setting out her musical and lyrical abilities and showing some of her hallmarks. Lyrics on far flung topics and influenced by classic novels. Literally theatrical compositional aspects and orchestration. Influences from jazz, progressive rock and a pop music tempo. It marked the beginning of her early adoption of the music video, particularly its focus on her dance style and vigour in performance. And from the outset, each part a self determined product of the artist’s personal vision.
With the precedent set, her next work confirmed it. The music stayed varied and the artistry spoke her mind. Her experimental tendencies often took her work to stronger places, while remaining well received. Her vision for the European tour in 1979 took on much more than the setlist, with her commitment to dancing onstage leading to the creation of a wearable wireless microphone.
Subsequent work moved in and out of success, remaining auteurish as ever. Smart use of modern instruments and production set a strong artistic example. Reinvention is a much discussed trope, and not inorganic in the case of the Kate Bush catalogue. Movement from one common thread to another seems to do with furthering her art and the best methods of the time, staying rooted in her established interests and lyrical and composition skill.
Kate Bush continued to represent womanhood and femininity throughout her career, with themes of tenderness in love, joy of sex, character tales of marriage and strength and fear in motherhood. The performance vigour and creativity in expression make this a strength. Her influence on modern female artists is widely acknowledged and her appreciation in LGBT+ circles is no secret. Countless performers have covered her work out of respect to her status, from influential R&B artist Maxwell, to queer punk icons Placebo, to Lady Gaga and Natalie Cole. Insistent creative control from the beginning and her willingness to be out-there in execution while accessible in message set a creative precedent that stands the test of time. And while appreciating the scope to Cloudbusting, considering troubling emotions in Army Dreamers, or hearing Get Out of My House for the first time, it’s clear to see why.
You can find more of Rebecca’s work on her blog or follow her on instagram @ _rebecca_draws