Bush explained that the lyrics describe a man and a woman who love each other deeply but struggle to understand their partner's perspective. She imagined that if they could make a "deal with God" to swap places, they would finally understand what it feels like to be the other person, clearing up their misunderstandings.
Bush initially titled the song "A Deal with God," but her label, EMI, feared the word "God" would lead to a radio ban in religious countries. They eventually compromised by using "Running Up That Hill" as the main title while keeping the original name as a subtitle on the album. Musical Composition & Production Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill - Music
The song explores the and the longing for true empathy. Bush explained that the lyrics describe a man