Violin - Kate Bush Encyclopedia

Table of Contents

‘Violin’ is a song written by Kate Bush. It was recorded in 1979 and released on the album Never For Ever.

Versions

The studio version is the only officially released version. However, a demo version of ‘Violin’ has also surfaced. It appears on the bootleg 7″ single ‘Cathy Demos Volume Three’ and various bootleg CD’s.

Performances

‘Violin’ was premiered during the Tour of Life, when it was performed as the eighth song of the first act. At the end of 1979, Kate performed ‘Violin’ during the Christmas Special, after which she never performed the song again.

Cover versions

‘Violin’ was covered by Theo Bleckmann and Yuri Kono.

Kate about ‘Violin’

‘Violin’ is for all the mad fiddlers from ‘Paganini’ to ‘Old Nick’ himself.
Kate Bush Club newsletter, September 1980

Lyrics

Four strings across the bridge
Ready to carry me over
Over the quavers, drunk in the bars
Out of the realm of the orchestra
Out of the realm of the orchestra

Filling me up with the shivers
Filling me up with the shivers and quivers
Filling me up with the shivers

Get the bow going!
Let it scream to me:
Violin! Violin! Violin!
Get the bow going!
Let it scream to me:
Violin! Violin! Violin!

Paganini up on the chimney,
Lord of the dance,
With Nero and old Nicky
Whack that devil
Into my fiddlestick!
Give me the Banshees for B.V.s
Give me the Banshees for B.V.s

Jigging along with the fiddle, oh, Johnny
Jigging along with the fiddle-dee-dee
Jigging along with the fiddle, oh, Johnny
Jigging along with the fiddle-dee-diddle-dee-dee!