The Meaning Behind The Song: Cloudbusting by Kate Bush
Kate Bush has always been known for her unique style and imaginative storytelling in her music. One of her most memorable songs is “Cloudbusting,” released as the lead single from her 1985 album, “Hounds of Love.” The song was inspired by the life and work of Wilhelm Reich, an Austrian psychoanalyst and scientist who explored the concept of orgone energy, which he believed could be used for healing and weather control. In this article, we will unravel the meaning behind the song and the inspiration behind it.
The Story Behind the Song
In 1953, Reich built a machine called the Cloudbuster, which he claimed could manipulate the weather by altering the atmospheric orgone energy. He used the machine to create rainfall in arid regions and carried out experiments to demonstrate its effectiveness. The machine had metal tubes that were pointed at the sky, and when he concentrated his energy on them, he claimed he could create clouds and even make them disappear.
In “Cloudbusting,” Kate Bush takes the perspective of Reich’s son, Peter, who witnessed his father’s experiments and the persecution he faced from the government for his unconventional ideas. The song is a tribute to Wilhelm Reich and the bond he shared with his son, who believed in his father’s work.
The Sound and Lyrics of the Song
“Cloudbusting” opens with a haunting melody played on the keyboard and is followed by the sound of drums and bass. Kate Bush’s voice is soft and ethereal, as she sings the opening lines, “I still dream of Orgonon.” Orgonon is the name of the estate where Wilhelm Reich built his laboratory and carried out his experiments.
The song tells a story and is written in the first person from the perspective of Peter Reich, who recalls the time he spent with his father and the Cloudbuster. The lyrics are poetic and full of imagery, such as “On a tightrope wire, we dance while the world beneath us shakes” and “You don’t want a lover, you just want to be alone.”
The chorus of the song has a catchy tune, and the lyrics are simple and repetitive, “Oh, you, you, you make the rain fall.” This is a reference to the Cloudbuster and the idea that Reich could control the weather.
The Legacy of Wilhelm Reich and “Cloudbusting”
Wilhelm Reich’s theories and experiments were controversial and faced opposition from the government and the scientific community. He was eventually imprisoned and died in prison in 1957. Despite this, his legacy has lived on, and his work has influenced various artistic and cultural movements, including the counter-culture of the 1960s.
“Cloudbusting” is a tribute to Wilhelm Reich and his ideas, and has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The song has been covered by various artists, including The Futureheads and Just Jack. In 2020, the music video for “Cloudbusting” was ranked as one of the 100 greatest music videos of all time by Rolling Stone.
FAQs
1. Who is Wilhelm Reich, and what is orgone energy?
Wilhelm Reich was an Austrian psychoanalyst and scientist who developed the concept of orgone energy. He believed that there was a universal life force that permeated all living things and that this energy could be harnessed for healing and weather control. However, his ideas were controversial and did not gain widespread acceptance in the scientific community.
2. What is the Cloudbuster, and how does it work?
The Cloudbuster was a machine built by Wilhelm Reich to manipulate the weather by altering the atmospheric orgone energy. The machine had metal tubes that were pointed at the sky, and Reich claimed that by concentrating his energy on them, he could create clouds and even make them disappear.
3. What is the story behind the song “Cloudbusting”?
“Cloudbusting” was inspired by the life and work of Wilhelm Reich and is written in the first person from the perspective of his son, Peter Reich. The song tells the story of Peter’s experiences with his father and their experiments with the Cloudbuster.
4. When was “Cloudbusting” released, and what was its reception?
“Cloudbusting” was released as the lead single from Kate Bush’s 1985 album, “Hounds of Love.” The song was a critical and commercial success and reached the top 20 in the UK charts.
5. Who has covered “Cloudbusting”?
“Cloudbusting” has been covered by various artists, including The Futureheads and Just Jack.
6. What is the legacy of Wilhelm Reich?
Wilhelm Reich’s ideas and experiments were controversial but have influenced various artistic and cultural movements, including the counter-culture of the 1960s.
7. Has Kate Bush referenced Wilhelm Reich in any of her other songs?
No, “Cloudbusting” is the only Kate Bush song that directly references Wilhelm Reich and the Cloudbuster.
8. What genre of music is “Cloudbusting”?
“Cloudbusting” is a pop song with elements of art rock and experimental music.
9. What is the meaning of the lyrics in “Cloudbusting”?
The lyrics in “Cloudbusting” tell the story of Wilhelm Reich and his son, Peter, and their experiences with the Cloudbuster. The song is a tribute to Wilhelm Reich and his unconventional ideas.
10. What is the significance of the music video for “Cloudbusting”?
The music video for “Cloudbusting” was directed by Julian Doyle and is considered one of the most innovative and memorable videos of the 1980s. The video features actor Donald Sutherland playing the role of Wilhelm Reich and depicts the experiments with the Cloudbuster.
11. Who influenced Kate Bush’s music?
Kate Bush has cited various influences on her music, including David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, and Peter Gabriel.
12. What is Kate Bush’s legacy in music?
Kate Bush is known for her innovative and imaginative music and has influenced various artists in the music industry. She has been recognized for her contributions to music and was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2013 by Queen Elizabeth II.
