Kate Bush ‘Running up That Hill’ Taking Over Radio Stations After Dominating Charts

Kate Bush
Chris Moorhouse/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Stranger Things became a way for Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" to regain recognition and take over the charts in the previous weeks after the series was released, but will it dominate radio stations too?

According to Billboard, the track currently sits at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is the song's highest position since it was released 37 years ago. It previously peaked at No. 30 in 1985.

The song got its position due to sales and streams on online music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

It also dominated the Digital Song Sales and Streaming Songs chart this week.

After its success on the charts, it appears that Bush will have to celebrate even more as the track is starting to take over radio airplay.

Per the outlet, the song posted 5.3 million in all-format radio airplay audiences from June 9 to 15.

Billboard also has an Alternative Airplay chart where they based the numbers on radio stations that play songs.

Initially, Bush dominated the chart in 1989 with her song "Love and Anger." Today, "Running Up That Hill" sits at No. 26, making it her comeback on the list since 1994.

The song's success on the radio isn't stopping anytime soon as it became mainstream on top 40 stations.

According to Houston's KHMX's brand manager, Melissa Chase, the song's recent popularity is surprising, and it's not unwelcome.

Speaking of its success, the manager said, "when a song from the '80s comes back as a major point plot in a massive show [and] jumps back on the charts and tops the downloads and streaming charts, you have to pay attention and realize there is an appetite for this song."

TikTok and other platforms used by younger generations significantly contribute to its success. Kate Bush also became a trending topic because of memes.

The manager added that the track is an artist's "magical power" to connect different generations, and she thinks it's beautiful.

In other radio stations like Detroit's WDVD, director of FM programming David Corey said their station has been playing the song an average of five times a day in the past two weeks.

The song's radio takeover comes a few weeks after Bush reacted to the song in a rare statement.

Taking to her official website, the English singer said the song had been given a "whole new lease of life" by younger generations, and it's exciting for her.

Tags
Kate Bush, Stranger Things, News, Music
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