Former talent scout Rob Kahane heard unusual listener enthusiasm for Bush after their demo Honky Manchild was played on London radio in 1993. With little apparent interest from the British music industry, he travelled from Los Angeles to watch the London quartet rehearse, where he heard Everything Zen; the song would become central to Bush’s breakthrough in the United States.

The article presents Everything Zen as arising from Gavin Rossdale’s difficult feelings about ambition and success, including self-loathing, bitterness and jealousy, alongside musical and cultural influences such as David Bowie and Jane’s Addiction. Its eventual success transformed Bush from an unknown British band into American superstars, while also creating tensions for people around them.