Does anyone here like and enjoy the music of Nik Kershaw? Here in the States he's probably known as a one hit wonder due to his most well known and catchy song "Wouldn't It Be Good" which reached #46 on the U.S. billboard charts back in 1984. But in England he had many other well known songs such as I won't let the sun go down on me, Don Quixote, Human Racing, Wide Boy, and my favorite of his "The Riddle". He's a very underrated new wave artist and his albums Human Racing and The Riddle have very nice songwriting in them. Similar to Howard Jones but even better.
found myself listening to Dancing Girls recently, cool 80 synthpop tune. I don't think Nik had much success in US for some reason
Re: Any Nik Kershaw Fans?
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:14 pm
by MissingPersons
There's another similar singer I shall mention. Belouis Some.
InvisibleMan wrote:found myself listening to Dancing Girls recently, cool 80 synthpop tune. I don't think Nik had much success in US for some reason
Bad luck. His videos didn't get much attention unlike Wang Chung or Howard Jones. I think American success in the 80s was all about MTV videos, no matter the genre you chose. And of course your lyrics should've been in English. That's why a-ha hit #1 with Take On Me, for example.
The two OP posted are probably his best. "Nobody Knows" and "Shame on You" are pretty good as well. I've only started warming up to "Dancing Girls" and "Wild Horses".
Re: Any Nik Kershaw Fans?
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:43 pm
by MarcD
WeLiveSoFastx83 wrote:The two OP posted are probably his best. "Nobody Knows" and "Shame on You" are pretty good as well. I've only started warming up to "Dancing Girls" and "Wild Horses".
Dark Glasses.
Re: Any Nik Kershaw Fans?
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2017 10:00 am
by KYYX4ever
I LOVE "Dark Glasses" and "The Riddle" ! But I have hardly heard much of his other stuff, except his singles.
Great singles artist - his tunes from the first two albums are among the best the 1980s had to offer regarding pop music. Just pure genius. Still, very uneven albums with lots of tuneless sub-Stevie Wonder stuff. Greatest hits type compilations seem to be the best bet for casual listener.
Have to single out "Dancing Girls" - somewhat surprised that the song that had more in common with "Metamatic" than with, say, Thompson Twins has been chosen as a single in 1984! And didn't flop, come to think of it. His "electronic" peak, for sure, fantastic stuff.
Not familiar with the laster albums, heard it's a bit "heavier" stuff, especially lyrically. Anyway, Nik is a likeable artist, if maybe not the top tier one. Recommended.
P.S. Oh yes, some terrific B-sides! "Dark Glasses", "Monkey Business", "Don't Lie"... Much better than some of the LP stuff!
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:25 am