Wow

Kate Bush's song 'Wow' delves into the world of performance and the often harsh realities faced by those in the entertainment industry. The song opens with a direct address to 'Emily,' setting a personal and intimate tone. The lyrics describe the experience of being on stage, highlighting the performers' confidence in their lines and roles. However, despite their apparent self-assurance, there's an underlying sense of vulnerability and isolation, as they are 'all alone on the stage tonight.' This juxtaposition sets the stage for the song's exploration of the gap between appearance and reality.

The chorus, with its repeated exclamations of 'Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Unbelievable!' captures the superficial admiration and awe that often surrounds performers. This admiration, however, is tinged with irony. The performers are praised as 'amazing' and 'incredible,' yet they 'don't head the bill,' indicating that despite their talents, they remain on the fringes of true success. This reflects the often fickle nature of fame and the entertainment industry's tendency to overlook genuine talent in favor of more marketable personas.

Bush further critiques the performative nature of the industry through the metaphor of an actor's death scene. The actor's death is not real; he 'just holds his breath,' but he 'always dives too soon, too fast to save himself.' This suggests a self-destructive tendency among performers who are too eager to please and too quick to sacrifice their well-being for their art. The reference to 'hitting the vaseline' and the actor never making 'the screen' or becoming 'that movie queen' underscores the idea of unfulfilled potential and the compromises made in the pursuit of stardom. Ultimately, 'Wow' is a poignant commentary on the illusions of fame and the often unseen struggles of those who seek it.