Running Up That Hill

If you’re right around my age (or older) you might fondly remember Kate Bush’s 1985 hit, Running Up That Hill. I was in second grade when that came out. Like everything from the 80’s — it’s a reminder of a far more optimistic and uncomplicated decade. That’s really the genius of Netflix’s Stranger Things. Their ongoing templet can reemerge the 80’s, season after season, and we’ll all love it, every time.

Kate Bush was known for her odd lyrical syncopation. I would characterize Bjork as a similar vocalist, who’s unbound by convention. In terms of a fingerstyle guitar arrangement — the relatively simple chord progression is complicated by the odd vocal timing.

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How to play Running Up That Hill | fingerstyle guitar

The guitar tab for Running Up That Hill is beautifully written across 2 pages. I recommend this piece for intermediate guitar players and up. Enjoy! The guitar tab is available below:

In accordance with the tab, my song structure looks like this:

Intro, Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus

Intro, Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus

Intro (as the outro).

For all the two note intervals on the 1st and 2nd strings — I’m using a swiping motion with the middle finger of my fingerstyle hand. I’ve picked this up over the years by watching John Mayer, and Gustavo Santaolalla. It has an imprecise strumming tone rather than a plucking tone. I suggest you do it, as it’s easier, and it can be a widely used tool in your arsenal. The technique is most obvious at the 0:39 Chorus section of the video.

**Kate Bush: Running Up That Hill (Stranger Things) fingerstyle guitar

The tuning for this piece is a pseudo Opening G tuning. From Low to high: D G D G B E. Then a capo on the 2nd fret. For the actual key of the original song, put your capo on the 3rd fret.