"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter Jon Bryant, which is a cover of Kate Bush's original song. The lyrics explore themes of empathy, love, and the desire to understand and connect with another person on a deeper level. The song begins with the narrator expressing their willingness to show someone else how it feels to not be hurt. They offer to make a deal with God, imagining a scenario where they could swap places with the person they want to understand. The narrator describes running up a road, a hill, and even a building, symbolizing their determination to overcome obstacles and bridge the gap between them. The lyrics switch perspective as the narrator acknowledges that the other person does not want to intentionally hurt them. However, the "bullet" of emotional pain lies deep within, causing emotional turmoil. Despite this, the narrator believes there is thunder in their hearts, suggesting a strong passion or love between them. They question why there is so much hate for the ones they love and express a desire for validation and reassurance from the other person. The repeated line "It's you and me, it's you and me, won't be unhappy" emphasizes the importance of their relationship and the desire for happiness together. The song portrays a struggle to overcome obstacles and find mutual understanding and happiness, with the narrator suggesting that swapping experiences could lead to solutions. Overall, "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" conveys a longing for emotional connection, empathy, and a willingness to go to great lengths to understand and be understood by another person.
