The Kick Inside

Album: The Kick Inside (1978)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is about a brother and sister who fall desperately in love with each other. When she becomes pregnant by her own brother, she commits suicide. The song itself is the suicide note. She does not want her brother to be hurt or her family to go through the unspeakable shame of incest. The note (or song) is telling her brother not to feel responsible for her death: "I'm giving it all in a moment or two, giving it all in a moment for you. This kicking here inside, makes me leave you behind. No more under the quilt to keep you warm. Your sister I was born, you must lose me like an arrow shot into the killer storm."
  • This song was inspired by an old traditional English-Scottish song titled "Lucy Wan." When Kate heard the tune, she was intrigued by the idea of writing an unusual love song about a taboo topic. "It was an area that I wanted to explore because it's one that is really untouched and that is one of incest. There are so many songs about love, but they are always on such an obvious level," she explained. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Lee - Ottawa, Canada, for above 2
  • Some were surprised at the 19-year-old, convent-schooled Kate Bush writing a song with the controversial topic of brother-sister incest. She told Q magazine's Phil Sutcliffe that keeping constant faith with the characters that she'd created was important, and she didn't judge them.

Comments: 4

  • Jambo from WalesThe line is actually "you must loose me like an arrow" - since to 'loose' an arrow means to shoot it
  • Melody from VancouverActually Lee, I am a big fan too, but/and Kate said it herself. The song is about incest. Your mom may be a big fan but maybe in denial about what it is really about due to what it means esp when we associate to a song in a particular way, we can be adverse to associating it in another. http://gaffa.org/cloud/music/the_kick_inside.html
  • Lee from Ottawa, CanadaHello Sara.Actually,Kate Bush,who wrote the song,has said herself that it is about a brother and sister.To verify this you could check out the website "Cloudbusting:Kate Bush in her own words"Then select Kate talks about her music.There is a wealth of interesting information in there from Kate herself.Enjoy.
  • Sara from Madison, WiActually, my mother is a huge Kate Bush fan and she says that that whole brother/sister thing is just what everybody thinks the song's about, but it really isn't. Also, Kate Bush is so cool!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.