It's a good song:

ah, there's an elephant standing in the room
ah, though we're all alone
it's not just me and you

and it's crushing me, there's no room to breathe
got me backed against the wall
and i just can't see, cause it's blinding me
coming closer, so i can't relax

It's a song about a saying.. You couldn't (if applying it to a relationship) get it any better. It does its job lyrically.

I do too, but some don't....hey...that's life
I think it's far better acoustic. It works for her voice.

I don't see what is profound about it though. I get that it's based on the phrase an elephant in the room, but there's no subtlety, no depth. You can't take those lyrics and get deeper meaning from them, in my opinion. But hey, I'm not slagging her off, I'm just saying she isn't in the same league as Kate lyrically. I can't think of many who are. She takes her influences from literature, politics, nature, death, sex, love, maternal bonding and she touches darker subjects with aplomb. Sorry, but it sounds like Elephant is about some boyfriend. Nothing new there.

But the thread is about the best vocalist, not writer or dancer etc. For me, the best all round UK vocalist (taking into account tone, versatility etc) is currently Alexandra Burke. If we're going to talk about all round artist and take everything into account then yes Kate is an incredible writer, but she can't move around the stage and dance like many other female artists can. As per the title of the thread though, in my opinion Alexandra is the best UK vocalist at the moment.

Kate Bush can't dance?! She was taught by Lindsay Kemp,who also taught David Bowie amongst other people. She is famous for her intense interpretative dance. She pioneered the use of a microphone strapped around the head for better movement, in the 1970s.

I don't mean to offend but if you are going to talk about Kate, please know what you're talking about. I don't mind having debates about things I may not agree with, but when people pretend they know things when actually they're talking rubbish, it's annoying.

In my opinion, no. You seem shocked that I don't agree with your views on Kate Bush. Sorry, it's called an opinion.

Well it's her first attempt at writing so it's not too bad. Of course it won't be billie jean.

I really don't get the whole "Alexandra has an incredible voice" thing, I always thought she was good on the X Factor (apart from that horribly cringey performance with Beyonce), but I find in her live performances it sounds like shes straining and it sounds hoarse and not all that powerful.

No doubt, I'll get bombarded with youtube videos to prove me otherwise but thats just always what I've found when I've seen her performances. I do think she's a great performer though!

Anyway, I voted Florence, because her voice soars and soars in a way that none of the other females get close too in my humble opinion. After seeing her last week it makes me think so even more. That voice is a gift that most performers could only dream of.

I believe the poster means full on choreo. When people go 'Kate Bush' the first though isn't brilliant dancer to most.

It isn't about opinion. She can dance. You could say you don't like the way she does it, but she can dance. You're just showing a total lack of knowledge. It would be like me saying Alexandra Burke can't sing. She can, I'm just not a fan.

Ah but you mentioned all-rounder and that's about more then vocals and in my opinion Kate excels in that department. And as for she can't move around the stage, that's rubbish, have you not seen her tour videos? The Running Up That Hill video? The Red Shoes film? She was a great mover in her prime!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp43OdtAAkM

Again though, she choreographed the majority of her videos as well as doing a full on tour full of dancing. So I don't know what they are talking about.

Sorry, but as far as I can see at no point during this thread have I been rude to you, so I'm a bit confused as to why you're starting to get a bit of an attitude. As I said, I don't think she can move around the stage and dance as well as other UK female vocalists can. That's my opinion...your opinion differs. What's the issue?

Let's keep it on vocals. And WHY we chose who we did. I can't be bothered with Alex vids, we all know she can go for it and be understated and powerful and all. I also said Joss stone. She has soul in her bones and a magnificent voice.

I don't see what is rude about pointing out your lack of knowledge when it comes to Kate Bush. You said she couldn't dance. I pulled you up.

Sorry what?! She is/was widely regarded and widely known for how she controlled the stage and moved around it. From the minute she went on stage she danced (in an interpretive manner) and did so fantastically I might add.

I didn't say she "can't dance". I think she can dance...just not as well as other UK vocalists.

But I didn't...I said she can't dance as well as other UK vocalists. If you think Kate Bush is the best female dancer in the UK then fine...but I disagree.

Sade.

Ok well we'll leave it there. I've made my point, you've made yours. I'd rather not have a Kate Bush debate with someone unfamiliar with her. It's not that I want you to agree, far from it I love a debate. But a debate without prior knowledge is just pointless.

This is what I mean, she is very famous for the way she can dance. Anyone who isn't aware of her reputation doesn't know enough about her to debate on it.

No prior knowledge is needed . It's nothing whatsoever to do with knowledge. I've seen her dance thousands of times. I just think there's other UK females who dance better than her.

Mainstream. Sade isn't anymore. I will include her in my big poll next month. It's gonna be hot! Get everyone talking! I'll do it at about 6AM...

Leona Lewis by a country mile.

There is no other female voclist that can hit the notes she does.

Just a shame that the material from her last album was weak, her voice merits having the best material available.