Song written by Kate Bush. Originally released on her eighth studio album Aerial in 2005.

Versions

There are two studio versions of this song. The original studio version, included on the album Aerial, features Rolf Harris as the painter. In the remastered version, released in 2018, his voice is replaced by Kate’s son Bertie’s, taken from a live performance of the song. 
A full live version appears on the album Before The Dawn.

Performances

The song was performed live as part of Kate’s Before The Dawn shows in London, 2014.

Lyrics

Watching the painter painting
And all the time, the light is changing
And he keeps painting
That bit there, it was an accident
But he’s so pleased
It’s the best mistake, he could make
And it’s my favorite piece
It’s just great

The flick of a wrist
Twisting down to the hips
So the lovers begin, with a kiss
In a tryst
It’s just a smudge
But what it becomes
In his hands
Curving and sweeping
Rising and reaching
I could feel what he was feeling
Lines like these have got to be
An architect’s dream

It’s always the same
Whenever he works on a pavement
It starts to rain
And all the time
The light is changing

Credits

The Painter: Rolf Harris
Drums: Peter Erskine
Bass: John Giblin
Guitar: Dan McIntosh
Keyboards: Kate