impressionist Kate Bush genius
Kate Bush's unique art pop has been imitated, but she sees it as flattery. She praised a singer who parodied her song.
Kate Bush is truly one of a kind. With her unique blend of powerful vocals and otherworldly soundscapes, she carved out a niche for herself in the world of art pop that has continued to captivate audiences to this day. Despite the singularity of her talent and work, like all artists, Bush has been the subject of imitation and mimicry.
While some artists might take offense to having their artistry or personality imitated, Bush seems to embrace the idea that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. When singer and impressionist Faith Brown took on the challenge of imitating Bush in a parody of the literary-inspired 'Wuthering Heights', Bush responded with nothing but praise.
The song itself seems impossible to recreate. No matter how hard we try, someone will inevitably butcher 'Wuthering Heights' at karaoke. The accompanying music video for the song was just as iconic as Bush's vocalizations. Following a wide-eyed Bush through a graceful routine that often coincides with the lyrics, the distinctive choreography and iconic red dress have been endlessly imitated.
It was this choreography that formed the basis for Brown's imitation, as she sought to replicate Bush's famed dance moves. Bush was impressed by Brown's level of commitment, calling her a "genius" and commending the research behind the performance during an appearance on the Saturday Morning Show.
"I'd just like to say that I think the amount of research [that] she must have done," Bush enthused, "I mean, she must have watched that video so many times, because the movements are just... they're better than mine, you know, even when she falls over, it's great." It must have taken Brown intense research to perfectly recreate Bush's intricate and controlled choreography.
During an interview with Nineteen, Bush reiterated how impressed she was by Brown's commitment to learning the dance before admitting, "Of course, it's very flattering to be mimicked." But Bush's complimentary attitude towards Brown's mimicry was not just limited to her interviews.
The singer even extended her admiration for Brown's performance to the impressionist personally, reportedly sending her a lengthy letter of appreciation. While many artists might have taken the imitation as a form of mockery or a reduction of their artistry, Bush had nothing but admiration for Brown's commitment to her craft.
As gracious as she is talented, it seems that Bush knew that any imitation of 'Wuthering Heights' only further served to compliment her artistry. It's clear that Kate Bush is a true original, and her influence continues to be felt in the world of music.
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