Overview
#RunningUpThatHill exploded in May-June 2022 when Kate Bush’s 1985 song experienced a shocking resurgence after being featured prominently in Stranger Things Season 4. The track, which saved character Max Mayfield from the villain Vecna, introduced Bush’s music to an entirely new generation and became the soundtrack of summer 2022.
Cultural Phenomenon
The song’s revival was unprecedented: it climbed to #1 on iTunes 37 years after its original release and topped streaming charts globally. Kate Bush herself expressed shock at the song’s second life, thanking the Stranger Things creators for their “beautiful use” of the track.
On TikTok, users created emotional edits pairing the song with the show’s pivotal scenes, personal stories of escaping trauma, and fan theories. The “What’s your favorite song?” question became a meme format, with people joking that their answer could literally save their life from Vecna.
Key Statistics
- Peak chart position: #1 in 8 countries (including UK for first time)
- Streaming surge: 8,700% increase on Spotify week-over-week
- TikTok impact: Over 2 billion video views using the sound
Legacy
The resurgence made Kate Bush the oldest female artist to top the UK singles chart with a self-written song, and proved that Gen Z’s appetite for ’80s music remains insatiable when paired with compelling storytelling.