The Painter's Link

Album: Aerial (2005)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a track from English singer-songwriter Kate Bush's 2005 album, Aerial. The song features the vocals of Australian musician, artist and TV personality Rolf Harris.
  • Harris also plays the didgeridoo on this track, as the Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport singer previously did on Bush's 1982 single "The Dreaming." The didgeridoo is a wind instrument developed by the Aboriginal people of northern Australia at least 1,500 years ago and is still in widespread usage today both in Australia and around the world. The instrument is traditionally made from Eucalyptus trees, which have had their interiors hollowed out by termites or died of other causes.
  • Harris recalled recording this song with Bush to The NME: "On Aerial I did a song about painting called 'The Painter's Link.' She was the hardest taskmistress ever. I did about eight different takes. She kept saying, 'You're a bit flat, can you do it again?'"
    This did not stop Harris collaborating with Bush again as in 2010 they recorded together a version of the traditional Irish song "She Moves Through The Fair."
  • Bush and Harris were backed on this track by the LMO Orchestra and the orchestral arrangement was by American film composer Michael Kamen.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

How The Beatles Crafted Killer Choruses

How The Beatles Crafted Killer ChorusesSong Writing

The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."