Cloudbusting

Kate Bush

About Cloudbusting

"Cloudbusting" is a song written, produced and performed by British singer Kate Bush. It was the second single released from her number one 1985 album Hounds of Love. "Cloudbusting" peaked at No. 20 in the UK Singles Chart. Taking inspiration from the 1973 memoir A Book of Dreams, the song is about the very close relationship between psychologist and philosopher Wilhelm Reich and his young son, Peter, told from the point of view of the mature Peter. It describes the boy's memories of his life with Reich on their family farm, called Orgonon, where the two spent time "cloudbusting", a rain-making process which involved using a machine designed and built by Reich – a machine called a cloudbuster – to point at the sky. The lyrics further describes the elder Reich's abrupt arrest and imprisonment, the pain of loss the young Peter felt, and his helplessness at being unable to protect his father. The song was inspired by Peter Reich's 1973 memoir, A Book of Dreams, which Bush read and found deeply moving. In a retrospective review of the single, AllMusic journalist Amy Hanson praised the song for its "magnificence" and "hypnotic mantric effects". Hanson wrote: "Safety and danger are threaded through the song, via both a thoughtful lyric and a compulsive cello-driven melody. Even more startling, but hardly surprising, is the ease with which Bush was able to capture the moment when a child first realizes that adults are fallible."In 2014, the song was performed live for the first time and was also chosen as the closing encore track in Bush's comeback live shows titled Before the Dawn, following her 35-year hiatus from the stage. 


Year:
2004
56 
#1

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I still dream of orgonon
I wake up crying
You're making rain
And you're just in reach
When you and sleep escape me

You're like my yo-yo 
That glowed in the dark
What made it special 
Made it dangerous
So I bury it 
And forget

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

On top of the world
Looking over the edge
You could see them coming
You looked too small 
In their big, black car
To be a threat to the men in power

I hid my yo-yo 
In the garden
I can't hide you 
From the government
Oh, god, daddy
I won't forget

'Cause every time it rains
You're here in my head
Like the sun coming out
Ooh, 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

But every time it rains
You're here in my head
Like the sun coming out
Looks the sun coming out
Ooh, 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

Just saying it could even make it happen
The sun's coming out 
Your son's coming out

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Kate Bush

Catherine "Kate" Bush (born 30 July 1958) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years. more »

7 fans

Written by: Kate Bush

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Concept
"Cloudbusting" is inspired by a book called "A Book of Dreams," which was written by Peter Reich. The book is about the turbulent relationship of author Peter Reich and his father, Wilhelm Reich, a psychiatrist, and his research.
Musical Composition
The song exudes a strong, rhythmic resonance achieved by mixing cellos and drums. The unique blend provides a haunting soundscape that many consider emblematic of Kate Bush's distinctive sound.
Chart Performance
"Cloudbusting" achieved significant success in the UK, reaching number 20 on the UK Singles Chart in 1985.
Music Video
The music video is notable for featuring actor Donald Sutherland, who played the role of Wilhelm Reich in the depiction of the narrative included in the song's lyrics.
Unique Instrument
The song utilizes a rare musical instrument called the "Bulgarian tapan drum," which enhances the overall tune and amplification of the song.
Album Success
"Cloudbusting" is a track from the album "Hounds of Love," which was one of the most successful albums of Kate Bush's career. The album topped the UK Albums Chart upon its release.
Wilhelm Reich's Cloudbuster
The song revolves around the concept of the "Cloudbuster," a rain-making device. This device was one of Wilhelm Reich's experiments that he believed could create rain by manipulating 'orgone energy' in the atmosphere.
Lyrics
Bush's lyrics empathize with the young Peter Reich during the time when his father was taken away by the American government and imprisoned.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by numerous artists, including the British band "Utah Saints" and Canadian musician "Neil Young".
Pop Culture
The song has left its mark in pop culture, being referenced in TV shows like "Doctor Who," and the music video was parodied in an episode of "French and Saunders".

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