Music

Kate Bush to publish book of lyrics in December

‘How to Be Invisible’, a collection of lyrics from across the singer’s 40-year career, will have introduction by novelist David Mitchell

Kate Bush: treasure trove of lyrics. Photograph: AFP/ FIsh People/Trevor Leighton

Mon Sep 10 2018 - 14:09

She is famous for incorporating the work of Emily Brontë, James Joyce and Grimm's fairytales into her work: now Kate Bush will publish her first book, a collection of lyrics from across her 40-year career.

Faber will release How to Be Invisible: Selected Lyrics on December 6th, with a comprehensive introduction from the novelist David Mitchell. Mitchell, who has described Bush as his "hero", wrote three spoken-word sections of Bush's 2014 Before the Dawn performances – which marked her first live shows in 35 years.

“For millions around the world Kate is way more than another singer-songwriter: she is a creator of musical companions that travel with you through life,” said Mitchell. “One paradox about her is that while her lyrics are avowedly idiosyncratic, those same lyrics evoke emotions and sensations that feel universal.”

Bush is considered one of the greatest lyricists of all time for her command of literature, sensuality, gender dynamics and childlike innocence. In 2002, she was awarded the Ivor Novello award for outstanding contribution to music.

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Bush’s last musical release was a live recording from the Before the Dawn performances, released in November 2016. She is nominated for induction into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame; 2018’s inductees will be revealed in December.

Bush recently released a short tribute to the dancer and mime artist Lindsay Kemp , with whom she worked early in her career, following his death in August. “The world has lost a truly original and great artist of the stage,” she wrote. “To call him a mime artist is like calling Mozart a pianist.”

Faber has published a number of collections of lyrics from noted British artists including Jarvis Cocker, Van Morrison, Joy Division's Ian Curtis and Billy Bragg. They will release the lyrics of Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant in November. How to Be Invisible is their first collection by a female musician. – Guardian

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