Soaring Beyond Boundaries: The Metaphorical Flight in Kate Bush's 'Kite'

Kate Bush's song 'Kite' is a vivid exploration of the desire for freedom and the tension between the safety of the familiar and the allure of the unknown. The lyrics paint a picture of a person feeling weighed down by their current circumstances, symbolized by the heavy feet and the rootedness in 'wellios' (a playful term likely referring to wellington boots). The mention of 'Beelzebub aching in my belly-o' suggests an internal struggle or discomfort, possibly hinting at a deeper existential or emotional turmoil.

The recurring imagery of the kite serves as a powerful metaphor for liberation and transcendence. The kite, described as a 'diamond kite' on a 'diamond flight,' represents an idealized state of freedom and beauty, soaring high above the mundane world. The 'hole in the sky with a big eyeball' calling the narrator suggests a higher power or a greater purpose beckoning them to rise above their current state. This celestial imagery evokes a sense of wonder and the infinite possibilities that lie beyond the earthly realm.

However, the song also captures the ambivalence and fear that come with such a journey. The narrator experiences a 'rush along my body, like a bullet,' indicating the intense and possibly overwhelming nature of this newfound freedom. The feeling of being '2-d after a push-and-pull feeling' and the desire to return to the 'homeland dome' reflect the conflict between the exhilaration of flight and the comfort of the familiar. The narrator's uncertainty about wanting to remain 'up here' and the struggle to 'get down' underscore the complexity of the human experience, where the pursuit of freedom often comes with its own set of challenges and doubts.

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  1. Army Dreamers
  2. Oh To Be In Love
  3. Babooshka
  4. Breathing
  5. Suspended in Gaffa
  6. There Goes a Tenner
  7. The Red Shoes
  8. Between a Man And a Woman
  9. Night of the Swallow
  10. Kite
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