Kate Bush - The Empty Bullring

This was the b-side of the 1980 single "Breathing". The song is also featured on the "This Woman's Work" box set.

Lyrics:

Disappears through a window.
Out of my mind
Trying to keep him at home.
Out into Rome
In the early hours,
Leaving me here
Like Tamlaine in her Tower.
You are going
To the empty bullring,
Taking your red cloak
To regain something.

Oh, you rolling matador,
Kill in your eyes
For the toro
That shut the door
To glory and gore.
The throw of the rose--
It's all you lived for,
But you've lost it all.

Your red streak
On the plot where many feet
Left it incomplete.
But you kept the meaning.
You feel him charge again,
And you feel him cut you down
Right on the spot
Where you thought
You were ground for good.
These flights of fantasy
Make your wounds more sore,
But you've every right
To even grab at the last straw.
Oh, Lord...

Oh, you rolling matador,
Kill in your eyes
For the toro
That shut the door
To glory and gore.
The throw of the rose--
It's all you lived for,
But you've lost it all.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• kate
• bush
• the
• empty
• bullring

[hiraethchild]

Oh I miss this song! I lived with someone who had "This Woman's Work" so I could hear all the B sides whenever I wanted. Thank you for posting and it's so clear and wonderful.

LOVE LOVE LOVE you Kate!!

[Symphonyofflowers]

@hiraethchild You're welcome!

[TruthofDilly]

KT Bush is a Goddess!

Pls contact me if you have a copy of "This Woman's Work cd 1 and 2".

Thank you sooo much for posting x

[Symphonyofflowers]

@TruthofDilly You're welcome!

Yes, I have both albums but I'm not selling them.

[DebbyTessy]

Another GREAT one from our beloved Kate and our good friend SOF ;)!

[Symphonyofflowers]

Thank you!

[arosegrowingold]

Was her voice at its peak here?

Listen to 'to regain something' - how many octaves does she drop in a second?

Yet again, KT and her piano - just sublime - better than a full orchestra

[gbooster]

Kate and a piano. Just perfect.

[TruthofDilly]

@mimosf please contact me again. Sooooooooooooooooo strange...i had a dream of KT last night and that i had DISCOVERED some new songs by her!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have psychic dreams every night but occassionally they blow my mind if they are literal. So yeah, please contact me again mate! Peace and love to evryone, especially the KT fans (coz like her, we're special) lol x

[mimosf]

@TruthofDilly I have them both

[IAmPlaysWithSquirrel]

So perfect. This shouldn't have been a b-side, this should've been on the album as its own track. Her voice is absolutely gorgeous,

And the melody reminds me of Billy Joel, for some reason.

[heathblanch]

um I am a big K8 fan, but (rose growing old) "to regain something" actually only covers one octave! Lovely song though.

[pepitapepino]

Kate:AMAZING.

[TruthofDilly]

@Symphonyofflowers - I wouldn't dream of asking you to part with them, really, they are worth their weight in Gold. Where could I get a copy? x