Behind the Melody: The Deep Dive into Kate Bush’s This Woman’s Work Lyrics and Its Cinematic Journey

13th August, 2023

Introduction

Kate Bush, an iconic figure in the world of music, has been captivating audiences with her unique voice and poetic lyrics for decades.

Her song Running Up That Hill is a testament to her ability to blend profound lyrics with haunting melodies.

However, another masterpiece, This Woman’s Work by Kate Bush, released in 1989 and later added to her album The Sensual World, stands out for its deep emotional resonance and cinematic connection.

This article aims to explore the creation, profound This Woman’s Work lyrics, cultural impact, and notable covers of this song, especially by the R&B artist Maxwell.

Inspiration and Creation of the Song

When John Hughes, the director of the 1988 film She’s Having a Baby, approached Kate Bush, her journey with This Woman’s Work began.

He envisioned a song that would resonate with the film’s climax, a heart-wrenching scene where the husband grapples with the potential loss of his wife during childbirth.

After viewing the scene, Bush crafted the song from the husband’s perspective, aligning the This Woman’s Work lyrics with the film’s visuals.

Despite challenges like capturing the right mood, technical issues, and tight deadlines, Bush’s dedication resulted in a musical masterpiece.

As Kate Bush recalled in an interview with The Guardian, she wanted to write a song that would “make people cry”.

She said, “I was very moved by the story. It was about a man who suddenly realises how much he loves his wife when she might die. It was such a powerful idea.“

She also revealed that she had to work under pressure to finish the song in time for the film’s release.

She said, “I had to write it very quickly. They sent me a video of the film, and I wrote it for the visuals. It was very difficult because there were lots of sound effects and dialogue over the top.”

She also faced some technical problems while recording the song in her home studio. She said, “The tape kept breaking, and we had to splice it back together. It was a nightmare.“

Lyrics and Musical Elements of the Song

At the heart of This Woman’s Work lie its poignant lyrics, which delve deep into the emotions of fear, guilt, regret, love, and hope experienced by the husband during his wife’s life-threatening situation.

The song’s musical composition is a masterclass in evoking emotion. The piano melody, which sets the tone, builds tension throughout the song, drawing listeners into its narrative.

Bush’s vocal performance is nothing short of mesmerising, showcasing her range and emotion and bringing the meaning of This Woman’s Work to life.

The strategic use of silence, pauses, and breaths adds drama and contrast, while the background vocals provide depth and harmony.

The inclusion of strings further amplifies the song’s emotional impact, making it a timeless piece.

The lyrics of This Woman’s Work are divided into three verses and a chorus that repeat throughout the song.

The first verse introduces the husband’s situation as he waits outside the operating room while his wife undergoes an emergency caesarean section.

He reflects on how he has taken her for granted and how he wishes he could have done more for her:

I should be crying, but I just can’t let it show. I should be hoping, but I can’t stop thinking Of all the things I should’ve said that I never said, all the things we should’ve done that we never did All the things I should’ve given, but I didn’t. Oh, darling, make it go. Make it go away.

The chorus expresses his fear of losing her and his hope that she will survive:

Give me these moments back. Give them back to me. Give me that little kiss. Give me your hand.

The second verse shows his regret for not being more supportive of her dreams and aspirations:

I know you have a little life in you yet I know you have a lot of strength left. I know you have a little life in you yet I know you have a lot of strength left. I should be crying, but I just can’t let it show. I should be hoping, but I can’t stop thinking. Of all the things we should’ve said that we never said All the things we should’ve done that we never did All the things that you needed from me All the things that you wanted for me All the things that I should’ve given but I didn’t

The third verse reveals his love for her and his gratitude for their life together:

Oh, darling, make it go away. Just make it go away now.

The musical elements of This Woman’s Work complement and enhance its lyrics, creating a powerful and moving song.

The piano melody, composed by Bush herself, is simple yet effective, consisting of a few chords that repeat with slight variations.

It sets the mood of the song, which is sombre and melancholic, and builds up tension throughout the song, mirroring the husband’s anxiety and anticipation.

The melody also matches the rhythm and pace of the film’s visuals, creating a seamless integration of sound and image.

Bush’s vocal performance is one of the most remarkable aspects of This Woman’s Work.

She sings with a high-pitched and airy voice that conveys the fragility and vulnerability of the husband’s situation.

She also uses her voice as an instrument, creating different sounds and effects that add emotion and drama to the song.

For example, she uses silence, pauses, and breaths to create contrast and suspense, such as at the beginning of the song, where she inhales sharply before singing the first line, or at the end of the song, where she exhales softly after singing the last line.

She also uses background vocals, sung by herself and other singers, to add depth and harmony to the song.

The background vocals echo, repeat, or respond to her main vocals, creating a dialogue or a chorus effect.

For instance, in the chorus, she sings “Give me these moments back” while the background vocals sing “Give them back to me”, creating a sense of urgency and desperation.

The use of strings in This Woman’s Work is another musical element that enhances its emotional impact.

The strings, arranged by Michael Kamen, are subtle yet powerful, adding texture and richness to the song.

The strings follow the piano melody and Kate Bush’s vocals, accentuating their expressions and movements.

While the strings also create a contrast between the low and high notes, reflecting the husband’s highs and lows.

For example, in the first verse, the strings play low notes that create a sense of dread and sadness, while in the third verse, they play high notes that create a sense of hope and love.

Reception and Legacy of the Song

Upon its release, This Woman’s Work received acclaim from critics and audiences alike.

Although it only reached No. 25 in the UK charts, it has since become one of Bush’s most beloved creations.

The song’s emotional depth and relatability have made it a classic, touching on themes of womanhood, motherhood, and gender roles.

Its influence can be seen in its numerous covers, references in other media, and its use in social movements.

Critics praised This Woman’s Work for its lyrical and musical brilliance, as well as its cinematic connection.

Rolling Stone called it “one of Bush’s most stunning achievements”, describing it as “a devastating ballad that captures a man’s fear of losing his wife during childbirth”.

The New York Times described it as “a haunting song that matches words to images with eerie precision”, noting that “it is rare for a pop song to be so perfectly suited to a movie scene”.

The Guardian ranked it as one of Bush’s best songs, stating that “it is hard to think of another song that packs such an emotional punch in such a short space of time”.

Audiences also responded positively to This Woman’s Work, especially women who related to its themes of womanhood, motherhood, and gender roles.

Many women found the song empowering and inspiring, as it highlighted the strength and resilience of women in the face of adversity.

Some women also used the song as a source of comfort and support during their own experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, or loss.

For example, one woman wrote on a fan forum: “This song helped me through a very difficult time in my life when I had a miscarriage. It made me feel less alone and more hopeful.“

This Woman’s Work has also been covered, sampled, referenced, or used in various forms of media, demonstrating its widespread appeal and influence. Some of the most notable examples are:

She’s Having a Baby (1988), where the song was originally featured and synced with the climax scene.
In the film Love & Basketball (2000), Maxwell’s cover of the song was used in a similar scene of a woman giving birth while her partner plays basketball.
The TV show ER (2001), where the song was used in an episode where a pregnant woman suffers a stroke and her husband has to decide whether to save her or their baby.
The TV show The Handmaid’s Tale (2017), where the song was used in an episode where a handmaid gives birth in a dystopian society where women are oppressed and enslaved.
The TV show Pose (2018), where the song was used in an episode where a transgender woman undergoes gender confirmation surgery and faces complications.
The social movement #MeToo (2017–present), where the song was used as a rallying cry for women who have experienced sexual harassment or assault.

Most Notable Covers of the Song

One of the most renowned covers of This Woman’s Work is by American singer-songwriter Maxwell.

His neo-soul rendition, first performed for his MTV Unplugged session in 1997 and later released as a single in 2001, brought a fresh perspective to the song.

Maxwell’s Woman’s Work introduced an urbanised sound with a longer instrumental intro and a distinct vocal delivery and interpretation.

The cover found its way into movies like Love & Basketball, showcasing its widespread appeal.

Maxwell’s version of This Woman’s Work differs from Kate Bush’s original in several ways, both musically and lyrically.

Musically, Maxwell’s version has a more contemporary and urban sound, featuring elements of R&B, soul, and hip-hop.

He also extends the instrumental intro of the song, adding drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, and horns to create a groove and a build-up.

He also changes the key of the song from A minor to C minor, making it lower and darker.

Lyrically, Maxwell’s version alters some of the words and phrases of Kate Bush’s original, giving it a different meaning and tone.

For example, he changes “I should be crying, but I just can’t let it show” to “I should be hoping, but I can’t stop thinking“, implying that he is more hopeful than fearful.

He also changes “All the things I should’ve given but I didn’t” to “All the things that you wanted for me“, suggesting that he is more regretful than guilty.

He also adds some lines that are not in Kate Bush’s original, such as “I know you hate me” or “I’m sorry for all I’ve done“, expressing his remorse and apology.

Maxwell’s cover of This Woman’s Work was well received by critics and fans alike, who praised his vocal performance and his reinterpretation of the song.

Rolling Stone called it “a stunning remake” that “transforms Bush’s ethereal meditation on childbirth into a soulful plea for forgiveness.”

Fans also expressed their admiration and appreciation for Maxwell’s version, calling it “beautiful”, “emotional”, or “powerful”.

Conclusion

Kate Bush’s This Woman’s Work is an exploration of raw human emotions during moments of crisis.

From its inception for She’s Having a Baby to its lasting impact on popular culture and social issues, the song remains relevant today.

As we reflect on its profound lyrics, musical brilliance, and enduring legacy, it’s evident that This Woman’s Work will continue to resonate with generations to come.

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Kate Bush This Woman’s Work Lyrics

Verse 1
Pray God you can cope
I stand outside this woman’s work
This woman’s world
Ooh, it’s hard on the man
Now his part is over
Now starts the craft of the father

Pre-Chorus
I know you have a little life in you yet
I know you have a lot of strength left
I know you have a little life in you yet
I know you have a lot of strength left

Chorus
I should be crying, but I just can’t let it show
I should be hoping, but I can’t stop thinking
Of all the things I should’ve said
That I never said
All the things we should’ve done
That we never did
All the things I should’ve given
But I didn’t
Oh, darling, make it go
Make it go away

Verse 2
Give me these moments back
Give them back to me
Give me that little kiss
Give me your hand

Pre-Chorus
I know you have a little life in you yet
I know you have a lot of strength left
I know you have a little life in you yet
I know you have a lot of strength left

Chorus
I should be crying, but I just can’t let it show
I should be hoping, but I can’t stop thinking
Of all the things we should’ve said
That were never said
All the things we should’ve done
That we never did
All the things that you needed from me
All the things that you wanted for me
All the things that I should’ve given but I didn’t
Oh, darling, make it go away
Just make it go away now