‘Wow’ is a song written by Kate Bush. It was originally released on her second album Lionheart, and issued as the album’s second single on 9 March 1979.

According to Kate, the song was about the music business and show business in general.

Versions

There are two versions of the studio recording of ‘Wow’: the album version and the single version. The single version is an edited version of “Wow”, although it is not labelled as such on most editions. On all European “Wow” singles, the first 12 seconds of synthesiser chords have been removed. There was also a live version from Hammersmith Odeon.

Formats

‘Wow’ was released as a 7″ single in various territories. The Canadian single featured a unique sleeve and was pressed on transparent yellow vinyl.

Music video

A video was filmed for the single release, featuring Bush performing the song in a darkened studio, and then backed by spotlights during the chorus. When a video compilation was released in 1986 for the compilation album The Whole Story, a new video was made of “Wow”, featuring a montage of Bush performing live in concert.

Performances

Kate performed ‘Wow’ on a handful of TV programmes.

30 December 1978: Rockpop (Germany)
14 January 1979: San Remo (Italy)
22 March 1979: Top of the Pops
16 April 1979: ABBA Easter Special
16 June 1979: Numéro Un (France)

Critical response

I hear this mediocre chanteuse crooning her way through this silly song. (…) I realise that a lot of people would like to go to bed with her, but buying all her records seems a curious way of expressing such desires.

Sounds, 24 March 1979

An eerie gentle number with perceptive lyrics. The verses still sound a little muddled but get better with playing.

Record Mirror, 24 March 1979

The most precisely focused Kate Bush single since Wuthering Heights despite the self-indulgent lush production.

Melody Maker, 24 March 1979

Cover versions

‘Wow’ was covered by Andi Fraggs, Göteborgs Symfoniker, The Hounds Of Love, Yuri Kono, Liza Lee and Niki Romijn.
‘Wow’ was sampled in a track by Ellis Dee.

Kate about ‘Wow’

I’ve really enjoyed recording ‘Wow’. I’m very, very pleased with my vocal performance on that, because we did it a few times, and although it was all in tune and it was okay, there was just something missing. And we went back and did it again and it just happened, and I’ve really pleased with that, it was very satisfying.

Lionheart Promo Cassette, EMI Canada, 1978

‘Wow’ is a song about the music business, not just rock music but show business in general, including acting and theatre. People say that the music business is about ripoffs, the rat race, competition, strain, people trying to cut you down, and so on, and though that’s all there, there’s also the magic. It was sparked off when I sat down to try and write a Pink Floyd song, something spacey; Though I’m not surprised no-one has picked that up, it’s not really recognisable as that, in the same way as people haven’t noticed that ‘Kite’ is a Bob Marley song, and ‘Don’t Push Your Foot On The Heartbrake’ is a Patti Smith song. When I wrote it I didn’t envisage performing it – the performance when it happened was an interpretation of the words I’d already written. I first made up the visuals in a hotel room in New Zealand, when I had half an hour to make up a routine and prepare for a TV show. I sat down and listened to the song through once, and the whirling seemed to fit the music. Those who were at the last concert of the tour at Hammersmith must have noticed a frogman appear through the dry ice it was one of the crew’s many last night ‘pranks’ and was really amazing. I’d have liked to have had it in every show.

Kate Bush Club newsletter, Summer 1979

Highest chart positions

Canada: 28
Ireland: 17
UK: 14

Lyrics

Emily…

We’re all alone on the stage tonight.
We’ve been told we’re not afraid of you.
We know all our lines so well, uh-huh.
We’ve said them so many times:
Time and time again
Line and line again

Ooh, yeah, you’re amazing!
We think you’re incredible

You say we’re fantastic
But still we don’t head the bill

Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Unbelievable!
Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Unbelievable!

When the actor reaches his death,
You know it’s not for real. He just holds his breath
But he always dives too soon, too fast to save himself

He’ll never make the screen.
He’ll never make the ‘Sweeney’,
Be that movie queen.
He’s too busy hitting the vaseline

Ooh, yeah, you’re amazing!
We think you are really cool
We’d give you a part, my love,
But you’d have to play the fool

Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Unbelievable!
Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Unbelievable!

We’re all alone on the stage tonight
We’re all alone,
On the stage,
Tonight

Credits

Drums: Charlie Morgan
Guitars: Brian Bath
Bass: Del Palmer
Electric guitar: Ian Bairnson
Mandolin: Paddy Bush
Piano: Kate Bush
Synthesizer: Duncan Mackay

References

  • Wow (Kate Bush song). Wikipedia, retrieved 27 September 2014.
  • Krystyna Fitzgerald-Morris (ed.), Peter Fitzgerald-Morris (ed.) & Dave Cross (ed.), Homeground: The Kate Bush Magazine Anthology One, 2014. ISBN 978-1861714794