Kate Bush ‎– The Whole Story

Kate Bush – The Whole Story

The Whole Story is Kate Bush's first worldwide greatest-hits compilation, bringing together twelve of the most distinctive and influential songs from the first decade of her extraordinary career. Released by EMI in November 1986, the album became Bush's third UK No. 1 album and remains one of the essential introductions to her unique blend of art rock, experimental pop, theatrical songwriting and innovative studio production.

Opening with “Wuthering Heights (New Vocal)”, the album immediately highlights one of the most unusual aspects of this compilation. Rather than using the original 1978 recording, Bush re-recorded the lead vocal for this version, giving her breakthrough single a more mature performance. The compilation then moves through highlights from The Kick Inside, Never For Ever, The Dreaming and Hounds Of Love, tracing the rapid development of her sound during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Among the many highlights is “Cloudbusting”, with its distinctive orchestral arrangement and memorable narrative, alongside the atmospheric “Breathing”, the theatrical “Wow” and the title track from Hounds Of Love. These tracks demonstrate Bush's ability to combine ambitious arrangements with highly individual songwriting and vocal performances.

Side B features some of her most recognisable and adventurous singles. “Running Up That Hill” remains one of Bush's defining recordings, while “Army Dreamers” and “Sat In Your Lap” reveal her increasingly experimental approach to rhythm, arrangement and subject matter. The previously unreleased-on-album-at-the-time “Experiment IV” was issued as a single shortly before The Whole Story and became another UK Top 30 hit.

The collection closes with “The Dreaming” and “Babooshka”, two songs that perfectly demonstrate the eccentric, dramatic and inventive qualities that set Kate Bush apart from her contemporaries. From the literary inspiration of “Wuthering Heights” to the electronic textures and unconventional rhythms of her later work, The Whole Story offers a remarkably concise overview of an artist who consistently pushed the boundaries of mainstream pop.

Commercially, the album was a major success. It reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, spending two weeks at the top, and became Bush's best-selling release up to that point. It was subsequently certified four-times Platinum in the UK, underlining the enduring popularity of her catalogue.

For collectors of Kate Bush vinyl, 1980s British art rock, art pop and experimental pop, The Whole Story is an excellent overview of one of Britain's most original singer-songwriters. With essential tracks including “Wuthering Heights”, “Cloudbusting”, “Hounds Of Love”, “Running Up That Hill”, “The Dreaming” and “Babooshka”, it remains a compelling snapshot of Kate Bush's remarkable early career.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Wuthering Heights (New Vocal) — 4:57
2. Cloudbusting — 5:09
3. The Man With The Child In His Eyes — 2:38
4. Breathing — 5:28
5. Wow — 3:46
6. Hounds Of Love — 3:02

Side B

1. Running Up That Hill — 5:00
2. Army Dreamers — 3:13
3. Sat In Your Lap — 3:29
4. Experiment IV — 4:21
5. The Dreaming — 4:14
6. Babooshka — 3:29