The pub choir’s founder has been told Kate Bush is likely to turn down her request that the group cover Running Up That Hill – before getting a personal endorsement from the British singer
The founder of Brisbane group Pub Choir has revealed their cover of the Kate Bush classic Running Up That Hill almost never happened.
Organizer Astrid Jorgensen, interviewed on Friday on Channel 10’s The Project, said Bush’s publishers warned her that the star usually says “no” to performance requests.
The 1985 hit has exploded again after starring in the Netflix series Stranger Things.
Brisbane pub choir founder Astrid Jorgensen (pictured) has revealed her explosive cover of Kate Bush classic Running Up That Hill almost never happened
And that’s exactly why Jorgensen says she wanted to cover the song.
‘I really wanted to [Running Up That Hill] because it’s so cross-generational,” said the excited musician.
“It’s a rare moment in music history when your mother and child might love the same song at the same time.”
In an interview with The Project on Channel 10 on Friday, organizer Jorgensen said Bush’s publishers warned her that the star usually says “no” to requests to appear. Pictured: Kate Bush in the 1985 music video for Running Up That Hill
After getting the green light, Jorgensen said she was just thrilled!
Over 1000 people spent an evening learning the tune before filming their performance, with the cover video going viral on social media.
“We said to everyone on the night please cherish this moment,” she said. “It’s rare, we should really appreciate spending the night with this beautiful song.”
Over 1000 people spent an evening learning the tune before filming their performance, with the cover video going viral on social media. Pictured is a scene from the Running Up That Hill Pub Choir video
After Kate Bush finally saw the performance, she sent Jorgensen a personal note of thanks.
“Dear Brisbane Pub Choir, I’ve been so busy I’ve only just had a chance to see you all sing RUTH,” she began the email, news.com.au reported.
“It is absolutely, absolutely wonderful! i love it so much! Thank you all. You sing it really beautifully.”
The Brisbane-based singing organization performed the 1985 hit after it was featured on the Netflix series Stranger Things (pictured).
“I am incredibly touched by your warmth and all your smiling faces. Thanks very much! With much love, Kate,’ she finished the note.
When asked if she thought the email was a hoax, Jorgensen confirmed that the message was sent through Bush’s publisher.
Currently number one in the UK charts and in several other countries around the world, Kate is worth an estimated £47 million (AUD82 million).
After Kate Bush finally saw the performance, she sent Jorgensen a personal note of thanks
62-year-old Bush, who is notorious for shunning the limelight, has been thrust firmly back into the limelight after season four of Netflix hit series Stranger Things catapulted her to the top of the charts for the first time in 37 years.
After starring in the fourth episode of last season, Running Up That Hill won her over a whole new generation of Gen Z fans, and for those who have supported her since the ’70s, it has prompted the singer to win several to break years of silence.
Kate, who has been a fan of the sci-fi series since its debut in 2016, told Woman’s Hour the world went “mad” and she was moved by the “extraordinary” response to the song.
“It is absolutely, absolutely wonderful! i love it so much! Thank you all. You sing it really beautifully,” wrote Kate (pictured) in her message to Pub Choir’s Jorgensen