The Big Sky (song)

For the Kinks' song, see Big Sky (song). For other uses, see Big Sky (disambiguation).

"The Big Sky" is a song by English singer-songwriter Kate Bush. Released in April 1986, it was the fourth and final single to be released from her No. 1 album Hounds of Love. The single peaked at No. 37 and spent 5 weeks in the UK Singles Chart.^[2]

"The Big Sky"
Standard artwork
Single by Kate Bush
from the album Hounds of Love
B-side	"Not This Time" "The Morning Fog" (12" only)
Released	21 April 1986 (1986-04-21)[1]
Recorded	1984
Genre	Art rock
Length	4:34 (special single mix) 4:42 (album version)
Label	EMI
Songwriter(s)	Kate Bush
Producer(s)	Kate Bush
Kate Bush singles chronology
"Hounds of Love" (1986) "The Big Sky" (1986) "Don't Give Up" (1986)
Music video
"The Big Sky" on YouTube

The 7" single was released as the "special single mix", which includes a different intro and edited dubs before the final refrain. This version appears as a B-side on the 1994 CD single "The Red Shoes". The 12" single includes an extended version of "The Big Sky" called the "Meteorological mix". A limited edition 7" picture disc was also released.

The song is about remembering some of the simple pleasures enjoyed as children that most no longer find the time for, such as spending the afternoon looking at the sky, watching the clouds take on shapes.^[3]

The B-side is "Not This Time". The 12" single B-side includes an additional track, "The Morning Fog" from the Hounds of Love album. The music video was directed by Bush herself. In 1987, "The Big Sky" was nominated for Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards.^[4]

Track listing

7-inch single (UK)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Big Sky" (special single mix)	4:34
2.	"Not This Time"	3:41

12-inch single (UK)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Big Sky" (Meteorological mix)	7:44
2.	"Not This Time"	3:41
3.	"The Morning Fog"	2:35

Personnel

• Kate Bush – vocals, Fairlight CMI, piano
• Paddy Bush – didgeridoo
• Alan Murphy – guitar
• Martin Glover – bass guitar
• Charlie Morgan – drums, handclaps
• Del Palmer – LinnDrum programming, handclaps
• Morris Pert – percussion

Charts

Chart (1986)	Peak position
Europe (European Top 100 Singles)[5]	88
Irish Singles Chart[6]	15
UK Singles Chart[7]	37

References

1. "Music Week" (PDF). p. 62.
2. "THE BIG SKY". Official Charts. 10 May 1986. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
3. "The Garden". Gaffaweb. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
4. "MTV Video Music Awards 1987". MTV. Archived from the original on 30 August 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
5. "European Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. 3 (20). 24 May 1986. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
6. "irishcharts.ie search results for Kate Bush". Retrieved 9 December 2008.
7. "everyhit.com search results for Kate Bush". Retrieved 9 December 2008.