In an interview with Phil Sutcliffe published in the August 30, 1980 issue of Sounds, composer and performer Kate Bush spoke of her fascination with guns: “Not about what they do, but detach them from their purpose and they’re… fantastic, beautiful.”

At a stretch this song, could be about James Bond, but it was actually inspired by a contemporary thriller, The Day Of The Jackal. Based on the book of the same name by English author Frederick Forsyth, this 1973 release featured Edward Fox in the title role of the nameless would-be assassin of Charles de Gaule, who was President of France from 1959-69. The film is set in 1963, the same year American President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

A live version of “James And The Cold Gun” was released on the 12 inch EP Kate Bush Live On Stage. Running to 6 minutes 25 seconds, it was recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London on May 13, and released September 3, 1979. (thanks, Alexander Baron – London, England, for all above)

This was also pushed by EMI to be the first single, but Kate insisted “Wuthering Heights” be released instead.