SAT IN YOUR LAP

The Dreaming (1982) saw Kate Bush really coming out as a strong, individual artist who bravely followed her own risk-taking musical visions as her own producer. The notoriously "difficult" album was preceded (15 months prior!) by this single that amazingly peaked at No. 11 despite being rather peculiar as a pop song.

It's notably faster and more percussive than her earlier output, having almost a frenzy atmosphere. I have actually never quite "got" it completely: it is said to deal with existential frustration and quest for knowledge. Nevertheless, I am impressed by its hilarious uniqueness.

The B sider is Kate's first cover, Donovan's 'Lord of the Reedy River'. I'm not familiar with the original, but I presume her version to be quite personal. The tempo is very slow, and her frail vocals are backed by delicate flute-reminding synths. Now this is a perfect example of an interesting, small-scale non-album song.