The Best of Nik Kershaw
Nik Kershaw · 1993
79 min · 18 tracks · new wave
A collection of glossy synth-pop anthems infused with poignant storytelling and a touch of new wave flair.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wouldn’t It Be Good (extended 12″ mix) Start here — This track showcases Kershaw's signature blend of catchy hooks and emotionally charged lyrics, exemplifying the height of his pop prowess during the 1980s.
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The Riddle — With its enigmatic lyrics and infectious melody, this song became one of Kershaw's defining hits and remains a staple of 80s pop culture.
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I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me — This powerful ballad highlights Kershaw's vocal range and lyrical depth, resonating with themes of resilience that continue to engage listeners today.
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Wide Boy — This track combines a vibrant beat with witty commentary on youth culture, showcasing Kershaw's ability to merge fun with social observation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This compilation showcases Kershaw's successful tracks but lacks a cohesive narrative flow typical of studio albums.
What we noticed
- The album features several extended mixes, which add length and variation to the original tracks.
- Many songs utilize prominent synthesizers and layered vocals, characteristic of the new wave genre.
- The lyrical themes often revolve around personal struggles and societal observations, enhancing the storytelling aspect.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- nostalgic synth-driven melodies
- dynamic collection of hits
- wave-like pacing throughout
- sing-along anthems with friends
- reflective moments between tracks
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer standalone single tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Starting Point — This compilation introduces Kershaw's most successful tracks to new listeners.
- Themes
- 1980s pop culture· synth-driven nostalgia
- Career context
- Released in 1993, this compilation marked a significant moment in Nik Kershaw's career as it gathered his most successful tracks from the mid-1980s. At this point, Kershaw had transitioned away from the mainstream spotlight but remained a respected figure in pop music, having achieved notable success with hits like Wouldn’t It Be Good and The Riddle earlier in his career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Howard Jones· a-ha· Duran Duran
Tracklist
- 1 Wouldn’t It Be Good (extended 12″ mix) Start here 6:46
- 2 The Riddle 3:52
- 3 Dark Glasses 4:16
- 4 Don Quixote 4:47
- 5 Monkey Business 3:28
- 6 When a Heart Beats 4:25
- 7 City of Angels 3:57
- 8 Dancing Girls 3:44
- 9 Progress 3:00
- 10 I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me 3:24
- 11 So Quiet 3:09
- 12 Radio Musicola 5:45
- 13 She Cries 3:47
- 14 Nobody Knows (extended 12″ mix) 7:21
- 15 Cloak and Dagger 4:52
- 16 Wide Boy 3:25
- 17 One of Our Fruit Machines Is Missing 3:38
- 18 Human Racing (extended 12″ mix) 5:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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