An Architect's Dream

Album: Aerial (2005)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This track from English singer-songwriter Kate Bush's 2005 album, Aerial takes its name from a painting by English-born American artist Thomas Cole (1801-1848).
  • Australian musician and TV personality Rolf Harris provides vocals as "The Painter" on this track. Apart from recording several hits such as "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport," Harris is also a talented artist. In the UK and Australia he is famous for his numerous television appearances, in which he painted pictures on large boards in an apparently slapdash manner, but with detailed results. This was often accompanied by the phrase "Can you tell what is it yet?" just before the painting became recognizable. In 2006 he was commissioned to paint an 80th birthday portrait painting of Queen Elizabeth II.

Comments: 1

  • Supratad from Middlesbrough, United KingdomI feel this song is about the conception / birth of her son Bertie and the miracle of birth. By comparing the apparent ease with which an artist can create forms by just a flick of his wrist, with the immense detail and longwinded elaborateness of an architect describe their "forms" by way of detaield drawings and schedules, I feel she is drawing a parallel with the conception of a child by the act of making love, the simple creation of a life compared to the huge lengths one would have to go to, to scientifically describe that life, perhaps by way of DNA coding. The song appears to be about the joy of the moment they concieve, as a couple.
    That's how I see it (as an architect), please feel free to shoot it down like a pompous zeppelin.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.