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| album = [[Lionheart (Kate Bush album)|Lionheart]]
| album = [[Lionheart (Kate Bush album)|Lionheart]]
| B-side = Fullhouse
| B-side = Fullhouse
| released = {{Start date|1979|03|05|df=y}}
| released = {{Start date|1979|03|09|df=y}}
| recorded = 1978
| recorded = 1978
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = *[[Art rock]]
| genre =
*[[baroque pop]]
*[[progressive pop]]
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=41}} (single edit)<br />4:00 (album version)
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=41}} (single edit)<br />4:00 (album version)
| label = [[EMI]]
| label = [[EMI]]
Line 24: Line 22:
| next_title = [[Symphony in Blue]]
| next_title = [[Symphony in Blue]]
| next_year = 1979
| next_year = 1979
| misc = {{External music video|type=single|header=Music video|1={{YouTube|ZyuxXWxKSTg|"Wow"}}}}{{Audio sample
| misc = {{External music video|type=single|header=Music video|1={{YouTube|ZyuxXWxKSTg|"Wow"}}}}
| type = single
| file = Kate Bush Wow Sample.ogg
| description = "Wow"
}}
}}
}}
⚫
"'''Wow'''" is a song by the English musician [[Kate Bush]]. Originally released on her second album ''[[Lionheart (Kate Bush album)|Lionheart]]'' in 1978, it was issued as the album's second single in March 1979. The song became a top 20 hit in the UK and in Ireland.


⚫
"'''Wow'''" is a song by the English musician [[Kate Bush]]. Originally released on her second album ''[[Lionheart (Kate Bush album)|Lionheart]]'' in 1978, it was issued as the album's second single in March 1979. The single peaked at No. 14 and spent 10 weeks in the [[UK singles chart|UK Singles Chart]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1979-03-17 |title=WOW |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/kate-bush-wow/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Official Charts |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
"'Wow' is about the music business," she told her ''KBC'' fan club magazine in 1979. "Not just [[rock music|rock]] music but [[show business]] in general. It was sparked off when I sat down to try to write a [[Pink Floyd]] song – something spacey."<ref>Quoted in ''Never Forever'' fanzine, No. 17, December 1991</ref>


⚫
"'Wow' is about the music business," she told her ''KBC'' fan club magazine in 1979. "Not just rock music but show business in general. It was sparked off when I sat down to try to write a Pink Floyd song – something spacey."<ref>Quoted in ''Never Forever'' fanzine, No. 17, December 1991</ref>
⚫
The video for "Wow" was censored by the [[BBC]], as the song was considered risqué as it had Bush patting her butt while singing “he's too busy hitting the Vaseline” - where Vaseline was once considered as a personal sexual lubricant. <ref name="Point 53 in article">{{cite web |last1=Petridis |first1=Alexis |title=Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! 60 unbelievable facts about Kate Bush |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/25/60-unbelievable-facts-about-kate-bush |website=The Guardian |access-date=22 May 2021}}</ref>


== Overview ==
== Overview ==
The single version is an edited version of "Wow", although it is not labelled as such on most editions. On all European "Wow" singles, the first 12 seconds of synthesiser chords have been removed. Brazil and Canada used the full-length LP version. The Canadian single featured a unique sleeve and was pressed on transparent yellow vinyl. The song was a moderate hit on Canada's [[Adult Contemporary]] singles chart in [[RPM Magazine]].
The single features an edited version of "Wow", although it is not labelled as such on most editions. On all European "Wow" singles, the first 12 seconds of synthesiser chords have been removed. Brazil and Canada used the full-length LP version.


The song was released in the UK on 9 March 1979 and peaked at number 14 in the [[UK Singles Chart]], remaining on the chart for ten weeks.<ref name=occ>{{cite web|title=Kate Bush – Full Official Chart History|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27937/kate-bush/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=20 January 2016}}</ref> This was an improvement on Bush's previous single, "[[Hammer Horror (song)|Hammer Horror]]" which had stalled at No.44 a few months earlier. A video was filmed for the release, featuring Bush performing the song in a darkened studio, and then backed by spotlights during the chorus. She also made a guest appearance on the TV Special ''ABBA in Switzerland'', where she performed this song in April 1979.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abbaontv.com/1979/description-switzerland.html|title=''ABBA in Switzerland''|website=Abbaontv.com|access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref> Also around the time of this release, Bush embarked on her first of only two [[The Tour of Life|live concert tours]]. Due to this and the release of the single, Bush's second album ''[[Lionheart (Kate Bush album)|Lionheart]]'' saw a resurgence of interest in the [[UK albums chart]], by making a re-entry into the top twenty for several weeks.<ref name=occ/> The song became a hit in other countries such as Ireland where it reached No.17.<ref name="Ireland"/> "Wow" was a target for comedian [[Faith Brown]] who parodied it on her show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/8381089/Top-5-Kate-Bush-spoofs.html|title=Top 5 Kate Bush spoofs|website=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref> In 2012 ''[[The Guardian]]'' called "Wow" the "undisputed highlight" of the ''Lionheart'' album.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jan/25/old-music-kate-bush-wow?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|title=Old music: Kate Bush – Wow|first=George|last=Chesterton|date=25 January 2012|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
Bush made a guest appearance on the TV Special ''ABBA in Switzerland'', where she performed this song in April 1979.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abbaontv.com/1979/description-switzerland.html|title=''ABBA in Switzerland''|website=Abbaontv.com|access-date=24 April 2021|archive-date=5 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605091222/http://www.abbaontv.com/1979/description-switzerland.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Around the time of this release, Bush embarked on her [[The Tour of Life|live concert tour]]. Due to this and the release of the single, Bush's second album ''[[Lionheart (Kate Bush album)|Lionheart]]'' saw a resurgence of interest in the [[UK albums chart]], by making a re-entry into the top twenty for several weeks.<ref name="occ">{{cite web |title=Kate Bush – Full Official Chart History |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27937/kate-bush/ |access-date=20 January 2016 |publisher=Official Charts Company}}</ref>


The song became a hit in other countries such as Ireland where it reached No.17.<ref name="Ireland" /> The Canadian single featured a unique sleeve and was pressed on transparent yellow vinyl. The song was a moderate hit on Canada's [[Adult Contemporary]] singles chart in [[RPM Magazine]].
==Release==
"Wow" was released on 5 March 1979.<ref name="ws-sleeve">{{cite AV media notes |title=[[The Whole Story]] |publisher=EMI Canada |id=PWAS17242}}</ref>


"Wow" was a target for comedian [[Faith Brown]] who parodied it on her show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/8381089/Top-5-Kate-Bush-spoofs.html|title=Top 5 Kate Bush spoofs|website=Telegraph.co.uk|date=14 March 2011 |access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref> In 2012 ''[[The Guardian]]'' called "Wow" the "undisputed highlight" of the ''Lionheart'' album.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jan/25/old-music-kate-bush-wow?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|title=Old music: Kate Bush – Wow|first=George|last=Chesterton|date=25 January 2012|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

==Releases==
"Wow" also appears on Bush's compilation hits album ''[[The Whole Story]]'', released in 1986. For the video compilation of this album, a new video was made of "Wow", featuring a montage of Bush performing live in concert.
"Wow" also appears on Bush's compilation hits album ''[[The Whole Story]]'', released in 1986. For the video compilation of this album, a new video was made of "Wow", featuring a montage of Bush performing live in concert.


This song was featured in the 2002 [[Rockstar North]] video game ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]'' as part of the [[power ballad]]s radio station [[Emotion 98.3]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.katebushnews.com/2002/11/11/new-grand-theft-auto-game-features-kate/|title=New Grand Theft Auto Game Features Kate! |website=Katebushnews.com|date=11 November 2002|access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref> However, it was not featured on the 10th anniversary edition re-release.
This song was featured in the 2002 [[Rockstar North]] video game ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]'' as part of the [[power ballad]]s radio station [[Emotion 98.3]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.katebushnews.com/2002/11/11/new-grand-theft-auto-game-features-kate/|title=New Grand Theft Auto Game Features Kate! |website=Katebushnews.com|date=11 November 2002|access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref> However, it wasn't featured on the 10th anniversary edition re-release nor the ''[[Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition|Definitive Edition]]'' of the game.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Jeff |title=GTA Trilogy Music List: Songs Missing from the Original Games |url=https://gamerant.com/gta-trilogy-definitive-edition-music-tracklist-missing-songs/ |access-date=November 26, 2024 |work=Game Rant |date=November 19, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Music video==
A video was filmed for the release, featuring Bush performing the song in a darkened studio, and then backed by spotlights during the chorus.

⚫
The video for "Wow" was censored by the [[BBC]] because the song was considered risqué. The video shows Bush patting her bottom while singing "he's too busy hitting the [[Vaseline]]". Vaseline was once defined as a personal sexual lubricant.<ref name="Point 53 in article">{{cite news |last1=Petridis |first1=Alexis |title=Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! 60 unbelievable facts about Kate Bush |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/25/60-unbelievable-facts-about-kate-bush |website=The Guardian |date=28 July 2018 |access-date=22 May 2021}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
Line 93: Line 93:


==Cover versions==
==Cover versions==
* Jazz singer Liza Lee covered the song on her 2009 album ''Anima''. Lee donated proceeds of the album to the [[Society for Women's Health Research]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1857654.htm|title=Jazz Artist Liza Lee Releasing Exciting New CD, Anima, with a Personal Mission on January 27, 2009|website=Prweb.com|access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref>
* Jazz singer Liza Lee covered the song on her 2009 album ''Anima''. Lee donated proceeds of the album to the [[Society for Women's Health Research]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1857654.htm|title=Jazz Artist Liza Lee Releasing Exciting New CD, Anima, with a Personal Mission on January 27, 2009|website=Prweb.com|access-date=24 April 2021|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107085713/https://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1857654.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}


{{Kate Bush}}
{{Kate Bush songs}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


Latest revision as of 14:06, 26 November 2024

"Wow"
Single by Kate Bush
from the album Lionheart
B-side"Fullhouse"
Released9 March 1979 (1979-03-09)
Recorded1978
Length3:41 (single edit)
4:00 (album version)
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)Kate Bush
Producer(s)Andrew Powell
assisted by Kate Bush
Kate Bush singles chronology
"Hammer Horror"
(1978) 		"Wow"
(1979) 		"Symphony in Blue"
(1979)
Music video
"Wow" on YouTube

"Wow" is a song by the English musician Kate Bush. Originally released on her second album Lionheart in 1978, it was issued as the album's second single in March 1979. The single peaked at No. 14 and spent 10 weeks in the UK Singles Chart.[1]

"'Wow' is about the music business," she told her KBC fan club magazine in 1979. "Not just rock music but show business in general. It was sparked off when I sat down to try to write a Pink Floyd song – something spacey."[2]

Overview

[edit]

The single features an edited version of "Wow", although it is not labelled as such on most editions. On all European "Wow" singles, the first 12 seconds of synthesiser chords have been removed. Brazil and Canada used the full-length LP version.

Bush made a guest appearance on the TV Special ABBA in Switzerland, where she performed this song in April 1979.[3] Around the time of this release, Bush embarked on her live concert tour. Due to this and the release of the single, Bush's second album Lionheart saw a resurgence of interest in the UK albums chart, by making a re-entry into the top twenty for several weeks.[4]

The song became a hit in other countries such as Ireland where it reached No.17.[5] The Canadian single featured a unique sleeve and was pressed on transparent yellow vinyl. The song was a moderate hit on Canada's Adult Contemporary singles chart in RPM Magazine.

"Wow" was a target for comedian Faith Brown who parodied it on her show.[6] In 2012 The Guardian called "Wow" the "undisputed highlight" of the Lionheart album.[7]

Releases

[edit]

"Wow" also appears on Bush's compilation hits album The Whole Story, released in 1986. For the video compilation of this album, a new video was made of "Wow", featuring a montage of Bush performing live in concert.

This song was featured in the 2002 Rockstar North video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City as part of the power ballads radio station Emotion 98.3.[8] However, it wasn't featured on the 10th anniversary edition re-release nor the Definitive Edition of the game.[9]

Music video

[edit]

A video was filmed for the release, featuring Bush performing the song in a darkened studio, and then backed by spotlights during the chorus.

The video for "Wow" was censored by the BBC because the song was considered risqué. The video shows Bush patting her bottom while singing "he's too busy hitting the Vaseline". Vaseline was once defined as a personal sexual lubricant.[10]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks written and composed by Kate Bush.

7-inch vinyl

  1. "Wow" (edited version) – 3:46
  2. "Fullhouse" – 3:13

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1979) Peak
position
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[11] 28
Ireland (IRMA)[5] 17
UK Singles (OCC)[12] 14

Cover versions

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "WOW". Official Charts. 17 March 1979. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  2. ^ Quoted in Never Forever fanzine, No. 17, December 1991
  3. ^ "ABBA in Switzerland". Abbaontv.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Kate Bush – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  5. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Wow". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Top 5 Kate Bush spoofs". Telegraph.co.uk. 14 March 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  7. ^ Chesterton, George (25 January 2012). "Old music: Kate Bush – Wow". The Guardian.
  8. ^ "New Grand Theft Auto Game Features Kate!". Katebushnews.com. 11 November 2002. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  9. ^ Barnes, Jeff (19 November 2021). "GTA Trilogy Music List: Songs Missing from the Original Games". Game Rant. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  10. ^ Petridis, Alexis (28 July 2018). "Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! 60 unbelievable facts about Kate Bush". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 4519." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  12. ^ "Kate Bush: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  13. ^ "Jazz Artist Liza Lee Releasing Exciting New CD, Anima, with a Personal Mission on January 27, 2009". Prweb.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
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