Kate Bush: The Stranger Things Revival Story

How Stranger Things Resurrected Kate Bush’s Biggest Hit

In 1985, Kate Bush released Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) — a powerful and haunting track from her iconic album Hounds of Love. The song explored themes of love, empathy, and the human desire to truly understand another person’s struggles. It became a cult favorite in the UK, reaching number three on the charts, but it barely made an impact in the United States at the time. For decades, it remained a beloved classic among dedicated fans, but it never reached its full mainstream potential.

Nearly forty years later, everything changed. In 2022, Netflix’s Stranger Things Season 4 used Running Up That Hill in one of its most unforgettable moments: the scene where Max, played by Sadie Sink, escapes Vecna’s curse through the power of her favorite song. This emotional sequence instantly connected with millions of viewers around the world, and suddenly Kate Bush’s music was everywhere.

The results were staggering:

Spotify streams of the song jumped by over 9,000% in one week.

The track climbed into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 for the first time ever, peaking at number three.

In the UK, it finally reached #1 on the Singles Chart, breaking the record for the longest gap between number-one hits in chart history.

On TikTok, the song went viral, with millions of edits, memes, and tributes.

Kate Bush herself issued a rare public statement, thanking Netflix and her new fans for giving the song “a whole new lease of life.”

This video explores the full story: Kate Bush’s rise to fame, the original release of Running Up That Hill, her reclusive years away from the spotlight, and how Stranger Things transformed the track into a global phenomenon nearly four decades later. It’s not just the story of a song — it’s a story about the power of art, nostalgia, and pop culture to bridge generations.

If you’ve ever wondered how an ‘80s classic suddenly became the most talked-about song in the world, this is the video for you.

📌 Watch as we uncover:

The original meaning behind Running Up That Hill.

Why Kate Bush avoided fame and remained private.

How Stranger Things carefully chose the perfect song for Max’s scene.

The record-breaking success that followed.

Kate Bush’s emotional reaction to her unexpected comeback.

👉 What do you think? Which other songs deserve a second chance in the spotlight? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

If you enjoy deep dives into music, TV, and pop culture history, make sure you like this video, subscribe to Story Vaulted, and click the bell so you never miss the next story.





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