The 80's were a part of the golden age of the recording industry, so music really had its significance at the time. Songs like this still get a lot of airplay on the radio to this day, whereas back then, songs from the 1940's didn't necessarily.
From 1984 totp to 2024 still incredible. Truly wish they still made music like this. The 80's were and always will be the best in my heart for music. Thanks Nik. ❤️ 🙏
The 80s was really a decade of innovation. Every decade has its highlights - the 60s and 70s weren't shabby, but the 80s had a completely new type of instruments. Electronic and synth. The fashion and the gender bendering!. It's the music I grew up with
Nik was forced to release his first two albums in a space of 9 months by the A+R guys at his music company. He also fitted a world tour in during this time. The lyrics are nonsense, purely to fit into the tune he wrote very fast. The guy is a legend of the British music industry.
@@LightningShade12 Some of the key changes are like fingernails down a blackboard... they grate against the soul... almost four/four, three/four, seven/four...!
@@LightningShade12 The point is it's a dime a dozen when you here both the verse and the chorus playing (singing) in the same key (approx. 95% of pop songs), sometimes there is a transposition or key relationship (of any kinds) in the middle of the song or at the ending (about 4%) and.... such thing like this masterpiece (many transposition, "illegal" chords etc. and still sounds great though) - that kind of art is IMO ~1% of total output - that's why this song is unique. I hope that I helped a bit.
Similar feelings here... This song was probably few years before I started listening western pop music, so it was rarely being played on the radio chaneles. I was a little boy and had no possibility to obtain a copy. So I was literally looking forward to hear it on the radio. I live in Istanbul, by the way.
Can still remember how I loved this as a kid growing up and wondering now how such a young guy as Nik was then could come up with such sophisticated stuff. The lyrics meant nothing as an 8 year old but I have a good musical ear and the melody captivated me I recall. I still love this today.
The lyrics still mean nothing. They weren't intended to mean anything. Kershaw just recorded whatever bullshit came into his head as a guide vocal, with the intention of writing real lyrics later, but he never got round to doing that.
As a 17 year old portuguese boy back in 1984 who didn't really know the lyrics I used to sing some made up stuff. It took me 35 years to realize that what I sang back then made as much sense as this song's real lyrics. :)
@@naotomori5974 well yes, that is a valid point, but modern songs are really cheated, they use voice synthesizers and refluxulating technology to totally change their voice
In Kershaw's own words, "'The Riddle' is nonsense, rubbish, bollocks, the confused ramblings of an 80s popstar." I mean, it's a great song, but the lyrics don't mean anything, nor are they meant to.
He wasnt underrated at al in the 80s..he was on the front of magazines, interviewed plenty..Its only after 30 years or so when u dont hear of someone every week thy call em "underrated"..in the 80s he was even overrated..
One of the songs that defined my youth. Nik was the first gig I was allowed to go to with a friend by ourselves, we were 13 and I still remember it. The 80's was just a great time to be alive.
Agreed! The 80's and early 90's were magical. I guess every generation says that about their early years but honestly I'm sad my kids will never see the like of it in more ways than one - not just the music.
@@gottawonder9091 It's so cliché these days I know, but I honestly think this era of kids and teens were the last that grew up just being able to be kids and enjoying the relative freedoms that came with that. Playing out on the streets until the street lights came on, parents not worried every time you stepped out the door, no hyper pressure at school. We were probably much more innocent in our knowledge of the world, but we had street smarts and self confidence. I am so sad children today can't have any of that, that the world has changed so much and there is so much more pressure on them to understand it's problems and dangers so much younger than we had to. I think we ask too much of our young people these days and I'm just forever grateful I got to experience the childhood I did. And the music of that time is unsurpassed being totally biased lol
@@carenza163 You're not wrong! I think the exact same..I had posters on my walls of Duran Duran and A- ha! My biggest problem was choosing which friend to walk home from school.with and if my mum and dad said no - I might of pouted but I didnt ask twice. We didnt care what each other wore or what you had - we just played and pretended and fell out of trees ! I think no matter how much I try and give my kids the same experiences the world just won't let them not worry or care...about everything ! Its heartbreaking really. I'm grateful I got to grow up then too.
This song contains one of the most ear catching melodies ever written & once you have heard this song once & up to a thousand times the melody just sticks in your head like glue & you whistle & hum it until everybody around you just gets cheesed off! I am sure a symphony can be written based on this melody. Love the hair style by the way, real 1980's!
No kidding! I discovered this song a few days ago and I've been constantly humming and whistling it. I can't stop, it's totally stuck in my head! Glad I found it though, I really love this song.
I believe the London Philharmonic Orchestra did a compilation of his songs. I has seen it mentioned many times in the past, haven't successfully found it yet.
@@kayadoobie9277 I'm 28 so maybe you grew up with this other version too but Gigi D'Agostonia released his remix of the song in the early 2000s, that was my first exposure to it and it was great memories!
@@cooney2011 actually the Gigi d’agonistio remix came on one of my playlists the other night which made me come here and listen to the real and best version 😂😊
@@kayadoobie9277 I'm in Berlin at the moment and while a generic playlist was being played in a beer garden they played the song out of no where, it was lovely surprise👍
well, not really... no offense, but someone who wrote for Elton John, wrote and produced several chart hits like "the one and only" and was in the top ten worldwide for dozens of weeks can hardly be classified as "underrated". 😉
I've heard this song on the radio or in passing throughout my entire life and never picked up the title or who did it. I called it "That pirate song" because of the whistling melody. In recent years I'd try remember the lyrics so I could Google search them when I got home. Always forgotten. Now finally, FINALLY I have found it!
Maybe you could help me...I'm trying to find a song which has The Riddle's music but the lyrics are different. From what I remember the chorus part is something like "...and your body is the same is the same". I heard it in my gym but cant find it online. Please help!
ive literally searched for this song for 2 years now and finally found it. I couldnt remember the lyrics just the tune, and anyone who i asked told me that the tune is familiar but they have no clue. FINALLY!!!!
Love this song 'cause it's more on prog-art rock territory than it's on the pop-music territory. Those "insane" chord sequences and key changes - even instruments arrangement - brilliant!
@@LightningShade12 maybe you are listening to the voice only. Hear the bass and keyboards, both go to crazy in places, almost random. It´s a very free and interesting chord progression.
@@LightningShade12 they're subtle but lend lots of color. The most fun one (in my opinion) is the final chorus being a half step up from all the other choruses. you will never even notice that one until you listen to it back to back from an earlier chorus.
Still a classic. My sister was buying Nik Kershaw records and I was buying Kim Wilde records in the 80's. It's been great to see them on stage together since then.
I read somewhere that the music that's really hardwired into you is the stuff you listen to from between 10 and 15 years of age. So happy for 1982-1987 . :)
Perhaps. But I think I need to look much further back than 10 year old me to find the reason for why Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits just calms me down. It's like I am subconsciously hardwired to take a nap when I listen to it.
i beg to differ "near a tree by a river there's a hole in the ground where an old man of aron goes around and around" sounds like mixed plot to star wars and harry potter to me!
Is it though? What is the riddle? Why red not white colour question mark? Who the hell is the person taking it away? So many questions... Made in 1984.
I got two strong arms Blessings of Babylon Time to carry on and try For sins and false alarms So to America the brave Wise men save Near a tree by a river There's a hole in the ground Where an old man of Aran Goes around and around And his mind is a beacon In the veil of the night For a strange kind of fashion There's a wrong and a right But he'll never, never fight over you I got plans for us Nights in the scullery And days instead of me I only know what to discuss Oh, for anything but light Wise men fighting over you It's not me you see Pieces of valentine And just a song of mine To keep from burning history Seasons of gasoline and gold Wise men fold Near a tree by a river There's a hole in the ground Where an old man of Aran Goes around and around And his mind is a beacon In the veil of the night For a strange kind of fashion There's a wrong and a right But he'll never, never fight over you I got time to kill Sly looks in corridors Without a plan of yours A blackbird sings on bluebird hill Thanks to the calling of the wild Wise men's child Near a tree by a river There's a hole in the ground Where an old man of Aran Goes around and around And his mind is a beacon In the veil of the night For a strange kind of fashion There's a wrong and a right But he'll never, never fight Near a tree by a river There's a hole in the ground Where an old man of Aran Goes around and around And his mind is a beacon In the veil of the night For a strange kind of fashion There's a wrong and a right But he'll never, never fight over you No he'll never, never fight over you
This is a very complex song. Those chord changes are profound for an 80s hit song, and the lyrics, while nonsensical, are fun to sing and have a great flow, they work really well with the rhythm. If you're a musician, try make a cover of this song just to appreciate how intricate it is.
@@eryck123 Because it's a man apparently it's ok to say 'was'. Never ever ever say that about a woman though, cos that would be highly offensive . We're supposed to believe once a beautiful woman, always a beautiful woman. Woman don't age you see lol.
Nik used to live a couple of miles from me. Never saw him. But at 45 now...christ I miss the 80s. Such a great time to be alive. Good films, good music and hot women
The same date Croatian town of Vukovar fell into fuc***g Serb hands back in 1991. After 87 days of siege. I know it's not the theme here, but always somebody mention that date or the 20.november i get sad...
one of the greatest popsongs of the 80'es. The melody. The harmonies. The progression. No chorus. Just plain good verses and theme. And not to forget... like A Whiter Shade of Pale and American Pie, some pretty weird lyrics to make your mind go crazy
+Martin Gerup Beautifully worded appreciation of a great song , Martin. Haven't seen many better ways to adequately express a good testimonial to a musical genius.
+Martin Gerup No chorus? There's a very clear chorus in this song, "Near a tree by a river (...)". And the lyrics are just placeholder gibberish, Nik Kershaw has said so himself. They decided to go with the lyrics anyway. Pre-internet trolling at its best.
I also agree with you the 80s music is the best option but I also quite like some of Katy Perry songs and George ezra songs and older music Karen carpenter songs and John denver songs ❤️❤️❤️❤️
was 11 years old german blond boy...a destroyed kid w. bad family. now im a strong tall man with big heart who fights for his friends. think. back hard times when i hear this song. really strong experience
The bridge that precedes the chorus modulation is brilliant once I tried to figure it out on guitar. I'm no music theorist but there's a bit of playful key tricks going on for a pop song. The song is in F#minor then the bridge goes all over the place to modulate to G minor. The bridge basically goes G - C - F- Bb - Amaj - F#m - G - F - E7 - Am G/B C - D - C - Bb - Eb - Cm Bb/D Eb then modulation to G minor. The pre-chorus is very interesting as well.
I have a >70 years old valve tape recorder and on one of the tapes is this song from 40 years ago. Listening to that old machine with this song makes me feel being home.
The superb sound of the 1980’s with Nick Kershaw and his “The Riddle” which was a mish mash of lyrics that meant absolutely nothing at all but nevertheless a fantastic tune from a superb decade for popular music.
