Once I wanted to be The Greatest

Fall from (expected) Greatness

The Greatest beautifully communicates the disappointment felt when childhood dreams are not realised in adulthood.

Once I wanted to be the greatest

No wind or waterfall could stall me

Then came the rush of the flood

Star of night turned deep to dust

An anthem for 'Generation Me', that is those of us who grew up in the 80's and 90's; an era where high self-esteem was encouraged from childhood. We were told to aim for the stars at a time when it is more difficult to find a good job and afford a home. Our expectations are very high, just as the world is becoming more competitive, resulting in a clash between our expectations and reality, and potentially a generation of ageing wannabe pro-bowlers in sweatpants!

P.S. Isn't the fact I am blogging about this is just sooooo very "generation me"?!

"I am the Greatest"

Alternatively, the title and lyrics could be interpreted as a nod to the self-proclaimed "greatest" Muhammed Ali and his mental decline as a result of Alzheimers.

This once extremely eloquent man "with brains that could explain any feeling" and "two fists of solid rock" has been "melted down into big black armour".

You needn't get heavy with them

This song celebrates the true power, strength and beauty of women everywhere.

True to form Kate tackles the subject with her trademark intelligence and grace. Rather than ranting and raving about the unequal treatment of women by men, she encourages us to stop the game-playing and simply be ourselves.

Lost in your men and the games you play
Trying to prove that you're better woman
But you needn't get heavy with them

She feels that femininity is a powerful force to be valued by women rather than denied, after all:

There's room for a life in your womb, woman,
Inside of you, can be two, woman

Like it or not we were built tough
Because we're woman

Some may find the idea that women are being celebrated solely for their baby-making abilities patronising, but I enjoy the imagery and feel that she is highlighting an obvious example of our capabilities as if to say "you are capable of creating life, imagine what else you can do" so...

Hey get up on your feet and go get it now

Check out the Kate Bush Dance Troupe and their creative interpretation of the song. Loving the fake pregnancy bellies!

Stuck in the Mud

This song communicates perfectly the frustration we all feel at some time in our lives when our pursuits fail to come to fruition, or at least not quickly enough, we find ourselves asking "can I have it all now?"

Suddenly my feet are feet of mud.
It all goes slo-mo.
I don't know why I'm crying.
Am I suspended in Gaffa?

As a result that self-doubt begins to creep in:

That girl in the mirror.
Between you and me
She don't stand a chance of getting anywhere at all.

It's not all doom and gloom though, as we are gently reminded that it will happen but "not until i'm ready for you". I have taken to singing this line to Spence- my very ambitious animator boyfriend who at times feels like he is wading through mud in the pursuit of his dream.

Do you know you have the face of a genius?

Suicide and Incest
Penned by Kate when she was just 17 years old, many view this as a lyrical suicide note written from the point of view of a girl who falls pregnant by her brother. She is killing herself to save him from the shame of their pregnancy: "This kicking here inside, makes me leave you behind"

A Star is Born
I like to think of this as Kate's farewell note to her former life in light of her impending fame. "This kicking here inside (her creative urges) makes me leave you behind", "Your sister I was born-you must lose me Like an arrow shot into the killer storm" of stardom.

Either way, the way she sings "old mythology he'd read" at 1.44 is bloody brilliant.