The Sensual World (song)

Infobox Single
Name = The Sensual World


Artist = Kate Bush
from Album = The Sensual World
B-side = "Walk Straight Down The Middle"
Released = 18 September 1989
Format = 7" single / 12" Single / CD Single
Recorded = 1986-1989
Genre = Art rock
Length = 3:57
Label = EMI
Writer = Kate Bush
Producer = Kate Bush
Certification =
Chart position = * #6 (Ireland, US Rock)
* #12 (UK, Finland)
* #17 (Netherlands)
* #29 (Germany)
* #44 (Australia)
* #58 (Canada)
Last single = Experiment IV
(1986)
This single = "The Sensual World"
(1989)
Next single = "This Woman's Work"
(1989)

"The Sensual World" was the first single release and title track from the album "The Sensual World" by Kate Bush.

"The Sensual World" was released on September 18 1989 prior to the album and peaked at number 12 in the UK Singles Chart. "The Sensual World" marked Bush's return from her second three-year hiatus. Not counting collaborative efforts (and a couple of songs written specifically for movie soundtracks), this was her first UK release in 35 months.

The song is inspired by Molly Bloom stepping out of the black and white, two-dimensional pages of James Joyce's "Ulysses" into the real world, and is immediately struck by the sensuality of it all. It was originally supposed to be Molly Bloom's speech (from the end of "Ulysses") set to music, but Bush could not secure the rights from the Joyce estate, so she altered it.

The video, which features Kate dancing through a wood with alternately blossom and hail raining down is directed by The Comic Strip co-creator Peter Richardson.

The B-Side was "Walk Straight Down the Middle" a bonus track on the CD and Cassette editions of "The Sensual World" album. The 12" vinyl release of the single had a double-grooved A-side so that either the song or an instrumental version of the song would be played depending on where the needle was placed.