Song written by Kate Bush. Remixed version of the 1985 track Running Up That Hill. The song was played during the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Formats
The song was originally only available as a digital download. Promotional CD-singles were produced for press and DJ’s. On 20 April 2013, on the occasion of Record Store Day, a 10″ picture disc was made available, featuring the track, plus on the B-side the original recording of Walk Straight Down The Middle. This 10″ single was subsequently also made available on Kate’s official website for those who were unable to get the record from physical record shops.
The only commercial CD release of this track was on the compilation CD A Symphony Of British Music.
Kate about ‘Running Up That Hill 2012 Remix’
I hope you all enjoyed the remix of Running Up That Hill this evening at the Olympics Closing Ceremony. They certainly put on a brilliant show. (Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) 2012 REMIX. Official website, retrieved 11 January 2016)
I am completely thrilled and touched by the overwhelming response from everyone to the remix of RUTH. I thought the whole closing ceremony of the Olympics was extraordinary and I’d like to thank everyone there for choosing me to be a part of it. It is such a huge honour. What an incredible wealth of musical talent we have in this country. I thought everyone was fantastic. I especially loved Elbow, Annie Lennox, George Michael (who was totally brilliant) and The Who, who were simply stunning. (A Thank You from Kate… Official website, retrieved 11 January 2016)
Lyrics
“If I only could, I’d be running up that hill.
If I only could, I’d be running up that hill.”
It doesn’t hurt me.
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know that it doesn’t hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that I’m making?
You, it’s you and me.
And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with God,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh…
You don’t want to hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware I’m tearing you asunder.
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.
Is there so much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don’t we?
You, it’s you and me.
It’s you and me won’t be unhappy.
And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with God,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building,
Say, if I only could, oh…
You,
It’s you and me,
It’s you and me won’t be unhappy.
“C’mon, baby, c’mon darling,
Let me steal this moment from you now.
C’mon, angel, c’mon, c’mon, darling,
Let’s exchange the experience, oh…”
And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with God,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.
And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with God,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.
And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with God,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.
If I only could
Be running up that hill
With no problems…
“If I only could, I’d be running up that hill.
If I only could, I’d be running up that hill.”
Highest chart positions
UK: 6