Night of the Swallow
| "Night of the Swallow" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Kate Bush | |
| B-side | "Houdini" |
"Night of the Swallow" is a song written, recorded and produced by Kate Bush. It was only released in Ireland, and this was the fifth single release from her album The Dreaming.[1]
Background
The lyrics concern a smuggler planning his next clandestine journey, Bush takes on the role of his lover, who begs him not to go ("I won't let you do it. If you go, I'll let the law know"). The song ends with the smuggler speaking in defiance ("Would you break even my wings, like a swallow. Let me, let me go").[2] Bush herself has commented on the lyrics, saying:
"In this song she wants to control him and because he wants to do something that she doesn't want him to she feels that he is going away. It's almost on a parallel with the mother and son relationship where there is the same female feeling of not wanting the young child to move away from the nest. Of course, from the guy's point of view, because she doesn't want him to go, the urge to go is even stronger. For him, it's not so much a job as a challenge; a chance to do something risky and exciting."[3]
The B-side of the single was another track from The Dreaming, "Houdini". This song is about the story of Bess Houdini and her attempts to communicate with her deceased husband Harry, using a plan they developed while he was still alive.
The song's release in Ireland only is most likely due to the Irish nature of the song, featuring instrumental accompaniment by Irish musicians. These include members of Planxty and The Chieftains: Bill Whelan on Bagpipes and String arrangement, Liam O'Flynn on Uillean pipes and Penny whistle, Seán Keane on Fiddle and Dónal Lunny on Bouzouki.[4] Whelan is credited as writing the string parts for the song, although this was in close association with Bush herself.[5] Bush was to explore Irish themes in later works also, such as "Jig of Life" from Hounds of Love (1985) and the single "Rocket Man" (1991). Bush's mother was Irish and so Kate had listened to traditional Irish music from a young age and was eager to explore this style. Her brother Jay also influenced her due to his appreciation of the group Planxty.[6]
The single was released over a year after the album and therefore failed to chart in Ireland.[7] It also went unpromoted, with no music video made for the song.
References
- ^ Gaffaweb - Release information
- ^ "Night of the Swallow" lyrics
- ^ Melody Maker interview, 1982
- ^ The Dreaming sleeve notes
- ^ Gaffaweb - Donal Lunny and Liam O'Flynn on the writing of "Night of the Swallow"
- ^ Kate Bush in her own words - Bush on her Irish roots in reference to "Night of the Swallow"
- ^ Irish Charts - Kate Bush