The Whole Story is the second compilation album by English singer Kate Bush, and first greatest hits album worldwide. Released on 10 November 1986,[1] it earned Bush her third UK number-one album and went on to become her best-selling release to date, being certified four-times platinum in the United Kingdom.
The Whole Story | ||||
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Greatest hits album by | ||||
Released | 10 November 1986[1] | |||
Recorded | 1975–1986 | |||
Genre | Art rock | |||
Length | 48:53 | |||
Label | EMI | |||
Producer |
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Kate Bush chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Whole Story | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [3] |
The Great Rock Discography | 9/10[4] |
Mojo | [5] |
MusicHound Rock | [6] |
Record Mirror | [7] |
Robert Christgau | A−[8] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [9] |
Sounds | [10] |
Spin Alternative Record Guide | 9/10[11] |
The Whole Story | ||||
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Video by | ||||
Released | 1986 | |||
Recorded | 1977–1986 | |||
Genre | Art rock | |||
Length | 55 Minutes | |||
Label | ||||
Kate Bush chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMovie | [12] |
The album includes eleven of Bush's singles, plus "Experiment IV" which had been released as a single three weeks earlier and reached the UK top 30. A remix of Bush's debut single "Wuthering Heights" (1978) with newly re-recorded vocals opens the album. The album mix of "The Man with the Child in His Eyes" features on this release rather than the single version.
A home video compilation of the same name was released simultaneously, which includes the promotional videos for each song on the album. It was nominated for the Best Concept Music Video at the 1988 Grammy Awards.
In 2014, during Bush's Before the Dawn residency at the Hammersmith Apollo, The Whole Story charted at number 8 in the UK.[13]
Following a resurgence of popularity for "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" in 2022,[14][15][16] The Whole Story peaked at number 17 on the UK Albums Chart.[17]
All tracks are written by Kate Bush
No. | Title | Original album | Length |
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1. | "Wuthering Heights" (New Vocal) | The Kick Inside (1978) | 4:57 |
2. | "Cloudbusting" | Hounds of Love (1985) | 5:09 |
3. | "The Man with the Child in His Eyes" | The Kick Inside | 2:38 |
4. | "Breathing" | Never for Ever (1980) | 5:28 |
5. | "Wow" | Lionheart (1978) | 3:46 |
6. | "Hounds of Love" | Hounds of Love | 3:02 |
No. | Title | Original album | Length |
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7. | "Running Up That Hill" | Hounds of Love | 5:00 |
8. | "Army Dreamers" | Never for Ever | 3:13 |
9. | "Sat in Your Lap" | The Dreaming (1982) | 3:29 |
10. | "Experiment IV" | Previously unreleased | 4:21 |
11. | "The Dreaming" | The Dreaming | 4:14 |
12. | "Babooshka" | Never for Ever | 3:29 |
Total length: | 48:53 |
All tracks are written by Kate Bush
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Wuthering Heights" (VHS/VCD/Laserdisc editions use the original 1978 recording) | 3:34 |
2. | "Cloudbusting" | 6:55 |
3. | "The Man with the Child in His Eyes" | 2:52 |
4. | "Breathing" | 5:31 |
5. | "Wow" (VHS/VCD/Laserdisc editions feature a new alternate video produced especially for this compilation) | 3:42 |
6. | "Hounds of Love" | 3:04 |
7. | "Running Up That Hill" | 4:55 |
8. | "Army Dreamers" | 3:17 |
9. | "Sat in Your Lap" | 3:30 |
10. | "Experiment IV" | 4:41 |
11. | "The Dreaming" | 4:09 |
12. | "Babooshka" | 3:26 |
13. | "The Big Sky" (Only included on VHS/VCD/Laserdisc editions) | 4:26 |
Total length: | 56:54 |
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Belgium (BEA)[41] | Gold | 25,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[42] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Germany (BVMI)[43] | Gold | 250,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[44] | Gold | 7,500^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] | 4× Platinum | 1,200,000^ |
United States | — | 195,000[46] |
Summaries | ||
Worldwide | — | 6,000,000[47] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |