Hammer Horror (song)
| "Hammer Horror" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Kate Bush | ||||
| from the album Lionheart | ||||
| B-side | "Coffee Homeground" | |||
| Released | 27 October 1978 | |||
| Recorded | July–September 1978 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:39 4:25 (edit) | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Kate Bush | |||
| Producer(s) | Andrew Powell assisted by Kate Bush | |||
| Kate Bush singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Hammer Horror" on YouTube | ||||
"Hammer Horror" is a song by
UK Singles Chart.[1] The parent album, released on 13 November 1978 reached No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart. "Hammer Horror"'s low chart position proved to be a temporary phenomenon, as Bush's next single returned her to the top 20. In other countries it fared better, including in Ireland and Australia, where the song reached No. 10 [2]
and No.17 respectively.
While in Australia during a promotional tour, Kate Bush devised the dance routine for the song in her
Countdown.[3]
The song references
The Hunchback of Notre Dame after the original actor dies in an accident on the film set.[4]
The guilt-ridden narrator of the song is haunted by the ghost of the jealous original actor, who was a former friend. A promotional video was made for the single featuring Bush and a black-masked dancer performing the song against a black background.
The B-side of the song was "Coffee Homeground", which also featured on Lionheart.
Track listing
All tracks written and composed by Kate Bush.
7" vinyl
- "Hammer Horror" – 4:38
- "Coffee Homeground" – 3:39
7" vinyl (Japan)[5]
- "Hammer Horror" – 4:15
- "Coffee Homeground" – 3:39
Personnel
Musicians
- Stuart Elliot – drums, percussion
- Del Palmer – bass ("Hammer Horror")
- David Paton – bass ("Coffee Homeground")
- Kate Bush – vocals, harmony vocals, piano
- Ian Bairnson – electric and acoustic guitar ("Hammer Horror"), rhythm guitar ("Coffee Homeground")
- Duncan Mackay – synthesizer
- harmonium("Hammer Horror")
Production
- Andrew Powell – producer
- Kate Bush – assistant producer
- Patrick Jaunead – assistant engineer
- David Katz – orchestra contractor
- Jon Kelly – recording engineer
- Nigel Walker – assistant engineer, mixing, mixing assistant
Charts
| Chart (1978–79) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 17 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[2] | 10 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[7] | 25 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[8] | 25 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[9] | 21 |
| Spain (AFE)[10] | 35 |
| 44 |
References
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Hammer Horror". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ "Countdown [Australia]".
- ^ "Cloudbusting / Music / Hammer Horror". Gaffa.org. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
- ^ "Kate Bush = ケイト・ブッシュ* - ハンマー・ホラー = Hammer Horror (Vinyl)". Discogs. 20 January 1978. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Kate Bush" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ "Kate Bush – Hammer Horror" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ "Kate Bush – Hammer Horror". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
