Rocktrospectiva: The Imaginative "Never For Ever" Turns 45

Released on 8 September 1980 "Never For Ever" was the third studio album by English singer-songwriter Kate Bush. It was Bush's first No. 1 album and was also the first album by a British female solo artist to top the UK Albums Chart. The album spawned the UK Top 20 singles "Breathing", "Army Dreamers" and "Babooshka".

Never for Ever was Bush's second foray into production, although Bush was keen to start producing her work and felt that this was the first album she was happy with, since it was more personal. The first two albums had resulted in a particular sound, which was evident in every track, with lush orchestral arrangements supporting the live band sound. 

The range of styles on Never for Ever is much more diverse, veering from the straightforward rocker "Violin" to the wistful waltz of hit single "Army Dreamers". Never for Ever was the first Kate Bush album to feature digital synthesizers and drum machines, in particular the Fairlight CMI, which was programmed by Richard James Burgess and John L. Walters.

Bush's literary and cinematic influences were again to the fore. "The Infant Kiss", was the story of a governess who is frightened by the adult feelings she has for her young male charge (who is possessed by the spirit of a grown man), was inspired by the 1961 film The Innocents, which in turn had been inspired by The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. "The Wedding List" drew from François Truffaut's 1968 film The Bride Wore Black. "Delius (Song of Summer)" was inspired by the 1968 Ken Russell television film Song of Summer, which portrays the last six years of the life of English composer Frederick Delius, when Eric Fenby acted as his amanuensis. "Blow Away (for Bill)" commemorates her lighting director Bill Duffield, killed in an accident at Poole Arts Centre during her 1979 tour. The song links his name to those of several music stars who died in the previous three years—Minnie Riperton, Keith Moon, Sandy Denny, Sid Vicious, Marc Bolan—and one earlier icon, Buddy Holly.

The album cover is an illustration in pencil by artist Nick Price, who had also designed the cover for the programme for her 1979 tour. Bush was pleased with the results (it depicts a multitude of animals and monsters emerging from under her skirt). Of the concept, Bush said that it reflects the title, depicting good and bad things that emerge from one's self.  

The album was favourably received by music critics at the time. Bush was voted "Best female artist of 1980" in polls taken in Melody Maker, Sounds, the Sunday Telegraph, and Capital Radio. Bush herself has said that it was her favourite album to date.

 

Never For Ever Track List: 

 

1. Babooshka

2. Delius (Song Of Summer)

3. Blow Away (For Bill)

4. All We Ever Look For 

5. Egypt

6. The Wedding List

7. Violin

8. The Infant Kiss

9. Night Scented Stock 

10. Army Dreamers

11. Breathing