Song written by Kate Bush. It was inspired by the gothic horror movie The Innocents, which in turn was inspired by Henry James’ novel ‘The Turn Of The Screw’. The story is about a governess who believes the ghost of her predecessor’s dead lover is trying to possess the bodies of the children she is looking after. The song was released on the album Never For Ever.
Versions
There are two versions of this song: the original album version and a French version, entitled Un Baiser d’Enfant, released two years later.
Music video
American Kate Bush fan Chris WIlliams made a video for ‘The Infant Kiss’ using scenes from the movie ‘The Innocents’. According to Kate, who contacted him after she saw the video, he’d chosen the exact scenes that were in her head upon writing the song.
Cover versions
‘The Infant Kiss’ was covered by Kat Devlin.
Kate about ‘The Infant Kiss’
‘The Infant Kiss’ is about a governess. She is torn between the love of an adult man and child who are within the same body. (Kate Bush Club newsletter, September 1980)
Lyrics
I say good night-night
I tuck him in tight
But things are not right
What is this? An infant kiss
That sends my body tingling?
I’ve never fallen for
A little boy before
No control
Just a kid and just at school
Back home they’d call me dirty
His little hand is on my heart
He’s got me where it hurts me
Knock, knock. Who’s there in this baby?
You know how to work me
All my barriers are going
It’s starting to show
Let go. Let go. Let go.
I cannot sit and let
Something happen I’ll regret
Ooh, he scares me!
There’s a man behind those eyes
I catch him when I’m bending
Ooh, how he frightens me
When they whisper privately
(“Don’t Let Go!”)
Windy-wailey blows me
Words of caress on their lips
That speak of adult love
I want to smack but I hold back.
I only want to touch
But I must stay and find a way
To stop before it gets too much!
All my barriers are going
It’s starting to show
Let go. Let go. Let go.
(Don’t let go!)
Credits
Viol: Adam Sceaping
Lironi: Jo Sceaping
Electric guitar: Alan Murphy
String arrangement: Jo & Adam Sceaping
References
- Graeme Thomson, Under The Ivy: The Life & Music Of Kate Bush, cop. 2012. ISBN 9781780381466.
- The Infant Kiss (fan-made video). YouTube, retrieved October 10, 2014.
