Running Up That Hill Makes History with One Billion Streams on Spotify
In an extraordinary accomplishment, Kate Bush’s iconic track, Running Up That Hill, has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing one billion streams on Spotify. This achievement makes it the first 80s song by a female solo artist to reach such a significant number of streams on the platform. The song’s remarkable popularity soared even higher after it was featured in Season 4 of the widely popular Netflix series, Stranger Things, leading to a surge of fresh attention. Notably, Running Up That Hill broke three records simultaneously, including the longest gap between Number 1 singles, the longest time taken for a song to reach number one, and the distinction of being the oldest female artist ever to secure a UK number 1 hit.
A Song That Transcends Decades and Platforms
Running Up That Hill’s success extends beyond Spotify, as it has already amassed an additional 200 million streams on YouTube alone. This accomplishment is truly impressive considering the song’s initial release in 1985. Kate Bush expressed her elation regarding this extraordinary achievement, stating on her official website, “A billion streams! I have an image of a river that suddenly floods and becomes many, many tributaries – a billion streams – on their way to the sea. Each one of these streams is one of you. Thank you so much for sending this song on such an impossibly astonishing journey. I’m blown away.”
Resonating with New and Old Generations
The resurgence of Running Up That Hill has captivated both longtime fans and a new generation of listeners. In a heartfelt message to her fans, Kate Bush shared her excitement about the song’s remarkable popularity. She expressed her gratitude for the immense support the song received, especially from younger fans who mistakenly believed she was a new artist. Bush joyfully recounted, “It was really exciting to see it doing so well globally, but especially here in the UK and Australia, and also to see it making it all the way to No 3 in the US. It was such a great feeling to see so many of the younger generation enjoying the song. It seems that quite a lot of them thought I was a new artist! I love that!”
Running Up That Hill, originally featured on Bush’s 1985 album, Hounds Of Love, has undoubtedly stood the test of time and remains one of her most beloved songs. However, its inclusion in Stranger Things introduced the track to an entirely new audience, solidifying its place as a timeless anthem that resonates across generations.
