Army Dreamers

"Army Dreamers" was released on 22 September 1980 and peaked at number 16 in the UK Singles Chart. The song is about the effects of war and about a mother who grieves for her young son, who was killed on military maneuvers. Saddened by his unnecessary death, she wrestles with her guilt over what she could have done to prevent it.

The single includes two B-sides, "Delius" and "Passing Through Air". "Delius" is Bush’s tribute to English composer Frederick Delius. The subtitle, "Song of Summer", comes from one of Delius’ works, and from a BBC documentary Bush saw about the composer’s life. "Passing Through Air" is a simple composition using weather phenomena as metaphors for love. This is one of Bush's earliest works — originally recorded in 1973 at David Gilmour's studio, a few weeks after her 15th birthday.

[edit] Charts

Chart (1980)	Peak position
Irish Singles Chart	14
UK Singles Chart	16
Dutch Singles Chart	36

[edit] Music video

The music video opens on a closeup of Kate Bush, dressed in dark green camouflage, holding a child. She blinks in synchronisation with the song's sampled gun cocks. The camera pulls out and a child with white hair on her lap walks off and returns as an adult. Bush and two soldiers make their way through the jungle avoiding explosions. As the song progresses Bush is seen looking for the child / adult behind trees but each time coming up blank, signifying the child's death while young.