THE RIDDLE is Nik Kershaw's second solo album. It was released in 1984.
Three singles were taken from this album and some featured exclusive tracks as B-sides.
Hereafter, you'll find a list of all songs from the THE RIDDLE period, including their different known mixes, demos or official live versions.
Lyrics here
:
Note that unofficial bootleg live versions or TV performances won't be mentioned in this list.
(*) More notes : Some songs appear on several collections CDs. Their sound quality may vary from one collection to another.
Some have very poor quality. Some have enhanced remastered versions. Even Bpm speed of a song may change on some collections.
Even more notes : Some songs have an important number of alternate versions (live, remixes, demos...).
Listing on these versions all together simply brings too much information on just one page.
Some songs (those having more than FIVE different versions) require to have their own specific pages to make every a lot clearer...
B02.01
Don Quixote
This song requires to have its own page.
Click HERE to discover all the official different versions.
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 6330001C
ISWC: T-011.302.880-0
ICE work key: 12571737
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: December 8th 2014
Probably written in 1984.
Single (NIK8) release date: March 4th 1985
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 6330000A
ISWC: T-011.302.879-7
ICE work key: 12571732
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: April 16th 1985 // December 19th 2009
Registration Number: PA0000244415
Date of publication: November 19th 1984
Written in 1984.
Album version (4:52)
Available on the 1984 "The Riddle" album (vinyl LP, tape, CD and online digital file).
Also available as track 7 on the 2022 "Essential Nik Kershaw" collection.
A remastered version was released for the first time on the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
The remastered version was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 2 of Disc 2 ("The Riddle" album) from the MCA YEARS box set.
Live at the Hammersmith Odeon 1984 (4:53)
This live version was recorded on December 31st 1984 at the Hammersmith Odeon, London (England).
It was released on VHS tape in 1985
A remastered version was released as track 3 on disc 2 of the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album.
Most of the vocal parts were re-recorded for this version.
Nik Kershaw: "Alas, time has been cruel and parts of the recordings had deteriorated a fair bit. Modern day technology was able to rescue most of it but a couple of things were lost to the years.
It didn't help that nobody bothered to plug in one of Keith's keyboards but the thing that most caused me to reach for the tranquilizers was the poor quality of the lead vocal track.
I was mystified as to why, whilst my excellent band was in Hammersmith, I seemed to be delivering my performance from a call center in Mumbai.
One visit to YouTube later and I had the explanation. The dreaded head microphone. I was using one of the first.
I was great when you wanted to run around like a deranged toddler on you new, expensive stage set for no perceivable artistic reason but not so good if you wanted to sing into it.
For one thing, any words containing the letters 'S", 'F', 'T' or 'P' produced a sound only otherwise achieved by discharging a fire extinguisher in a public toilet.
Another drawback was that anything I wondered closer to got louder. Add to that the general low bandwidth and out of phase, nasal quality and you'll understand my pain.
I was left with a choice:
a) preserve the integrity of the recording and inflict the full horror on the world, or
b) replace the vocal and save the planet.
Three if the least offensive original vocals survived. Three ("Know How", "You Might" and "Wild Horses") did not and the 26-year-old me had to be replaced with a 54-year-old one.
The music business term for this process is "cheating". I don't know how I sleep nights".
An audio only recording was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 2 of Disc 9 ("Live at the Hammersmith Odeon - Disc One") from the MCA YEARS box set.
Note that the audio only version has a fade-in and a fade-out.
The remastered video version was released as track 2 on February 21st 2025 on the unique DVD from the MCA YEARS box set.
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 6330003H
ISWC: T-011.302.882-2
ICE work key: 12571753
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: April 16th 1985 // December 19th 2009
Registration Number: PA0000244420
Date of publication: November 19th 1984
Written in 1984.
Album version (3:16)
Available on the 1984 "The Riddle" album (vinyl LP, tape, CD and online digital file).
Also available as track 5 on the 1997 "Wouldn't It Be Good" collection (slightly different bmp speed).
A remastered version was released for the first time on the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
The remastered version was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 3 of Disc 2 ("The Riddle" album) from the MCA YEARS box set.
Live at the Hammersmith Odeon 1984 (3:28)
This live version was recorded on December 31st 1984 at the Hammersmith Odeon, London (England).
Note : This track was NOT on the 1985 VHS release.
A remastered version was released as track 9 on disc 2 of the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album.
Most of the vocal parts were re-recorded for this version.
An audio only recording was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 9 of Disc 10 ("Live at the Hammersmith Odeon - Disc Two") from the MCA YEARS box set.
Note that the audio only version ends with a fade-out.
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 6330004J
ISWC: T-011.302.883-3
ICE work key: 12571759
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: April 16th 1985 // March 24th 1986
Registration Number: PA0000244419
Date of publication: November 19th 1984
Written in 1984.
Album version (3:58) (= B-Side of the "When A Heart Beats" Single version)
Available on the 1984 "The Riddle" album (vinyl LP, tape, CD and online digital file) and on the B-side of 1985 NIK9 "When A Heart Beats" 7" single.
Note that this song is track B3 on the 1984 US release of "The Riddle" album (Tape & Vinyl).
This version is also available on four collections.
bpm speed is slightly different on some collections.
1994 Wouldn't It Be Good (Track 3 - 4:00)
1995 Anthology (Track 14 - 3:59)
1997 Wouldn't It Be Good (Track 10 - 4:00)
2000 The Essential (Track 14 - 3:59)
2001 I Won't Let the Sun Go Down On Me (Track 14 - 3:59)
A remastered version was released for the first time on the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
The remastered version was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 4 of Disc 2 ("The Riddle" album) from the MCA YEARS box set.
Extended 12" Remix (6:48)
This version was released as B-side of the 1985 NIKT9 and NIKTP9 "When A Heart Beats" 12" records.
Also released as track 20 of the 2022 online only "Extended Versions" collection.
The remastered version was released on February 21st 2025 as track 3 of Disc 7 ("Extended Mixes" CD) from the MCA YEARS box set.
Live at the Hammersmith Odeon 1984 (3:57 // 4:01)
This live version was recorded on December 31st 1984 at the Hammersmith Odeon, London (England).
It was released on VHS tape in 1985
A remastered version was released as track 7 on disc 2 of the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album.
Most of the vocal parts were re-recorded for this version.
It is also available as track 9 on disc 2 of the 2022 "Essential Nik Kershaw" collection.
It was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 7 of Disc 9 ("Live at the Hammersmith Odeon - Disc One") from the MCA YEARS box set.
Note that the audio only version has a fade-in and a fade-out.
The remastered video version was released as track 7 on February 21st 2025 on the unique DVD from the MCA YEARS box set.
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 6330005K
ISWC: T-011.302.884-4
ICE work key: 12571768
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: January 23rd 1985 // April 16th 1985
Registration Number: PAu0000244414
Date of publication: November 19th 1984
Written in 1984.
Album version (4:12)
Available on the 1984 "The Riddle" album (vinyl LP, tape, CD and online digital file).
Also available as track 13 on the 1995 "Anthology" collection (slightly different bmp speed).
A remastered version was released for the first time on the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
The remastered version was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 5 of Disc 2 ("The Riddle" album) from the MCA YEARS box set.
This song requires to have its own page.
Click HERE to discover all the official different versions.
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 021770AQ
ISWC: T-011.302.881-1
ICE work key: 2176904
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: January 23rd 1985
Written in 1984.
Single (NIK6) release date: November 5th 1984
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 6330006L
ISWC: T-011.302.885-5
ICE work key: 12571780
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: April 16th 1985 // March 24th 1986
Written in 1984.
Registration Number: PA0000244413
Date of publication: November 19th 1984
Album version (3:55)
Available on the 1984 "The Riddle" album (vinyl LP, tape, CD and online digital file).
Note that this song is NOT on the 1984 US release of "The Riddle" album (Tape & Vinyl).
It was replaced by the "Edit version" of "Wouldn't It Be Good".
This song is also available as track 7 on the 1993 "Best Of NK" collection (slightly different bmp speed).
A remastered version was released for the first time on the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
The remastered version was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 7 of Disc 2 ("The Riddle" album) from the MCA YEARS box set.
Live at the Hammersmith Odeon 1984 (3:57 // 4:13)
This live version was recorded on December 31st 1984 at the Hammersmith Odeon, London (England).
Note : This track was NOT on the 1985 VHS release.
A remastered version was released for the first time as track 5 on disc 2 of the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
It is also available as track 15 CD on disc 2 of the 2022 "Essential Nik Kershaw" collection.
An audio only recording was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 5 of Disc 9 ("Live at the Hammersmith Odeon - Disc One") from the MCA YEARS box set.
Note that the audio only version ends with a fade-out.
A remastered video version was released as track 2 on February 21st 2025 on the unique DVD from the MCA YEARS box set.
The way the DVD chapters are cut includes extra seconds at the end of the track during which Nik Kershaw introduces the next song ("Cloak and Dagger").
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 6330007N
ISWC: T-011.302.886-6
ICE work key: 12571788
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: April 16th 1985 // December 19th 2009
Registration Number: PA0000244416
Date of publication: November 19th 1984
Written in 1984.
Album version (3:58)
Available on the 1984 "The Riddle" album (vinyl LP, tape, CD and online digital file).
Note that this song is track B4 on the 1984 US release of "The Riddle" album (Tape & Vinyl).
Also available as track 5 on disc 2 of the 2022 "Essential Nik Kershaw" collection.
A remastered version was released for the first time on the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
The remastered version was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 8 of Disc 2 ("The Riddle" album) from the MCA YEARS box set.
Live at the Hammersmith Odeon 1984 (4:02 // 4:43 // 5:22)
This live version was recorded on December 31st 1984 at the Hammersmith Odeon, London (England).
It was first released on the 1985 VHS.
Based on the live version from the Hammersmith Odeon concert that was broadcasted and released on VHS in 1985.
A remastered version was released for the first time as track 1 on disc 2 of the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
This version has a much longer introduction that was shortened on the VHS release.
An audio only recording was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 1 of Disc 9 ("Live at the Hammersmith Odeon - Disc One") from the MCA YEARS box set.
Note that the audio only version ends with a fade-out.
A remastered video version was released as track 1 on February 21st 2025 on the unique DVD from the MCA YEARS box set.
This version has an even longer introduction than the audio only releases.
The way the DVD chapters are cut includes extra seconds at the end of the track during which Nik Kershaw introduces the next song ("Know How").
Live at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire 2012 (4:36)
Another official live version of the song, recorded in Shepherd's Bush Empire in London (England) on September 28th 2012, can be found on the 2013 DVD release of the concert.
This song requires to have its own page.
Click HERE to discover all the official different versions.
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 6230366Y
ISWC: T-011.288.189-6
ICE work key: 11718389
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: January 1st 1981
Probably written around 1978/1979.
Single (NIK7) release date: March 4th 1985
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 6370206Y
ISWC: T-011.309.307-4
ICE work key: 12947891
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: April 16th 1985 // December 19th 2009
Registration Number: PAu0000244417
Date of publication: November 19th 1984
Written in 1984.
Album version (6:04)
Available on the 1984 "The Riddle" album (vinyl LP, tape, CD and online digital file).
This version is also available on five collections.
bpm speed is slightly different on some collections.
1994 Wouldn't It Be Good (Track 12 - 6:00)
1995 Anthology (Track 15 - 5:56)
1997 Wouldn't It Be Good (Track 4 - 5:51 - Slightly shorter fade-out)
2000 The Essential (Track 18 - 6:00)
2001 I Won't Let the Sun Go Down On Me (Track 18 - 6:00)
2022 Essential Nik Kershaw (Track 12 - Disc 1 - 6:00)
A remastered version was released for the first time on the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
The remastered version was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 10 of Disc 2 ("The Riddle" album) from the MCA YEARS box set.
Live at the Hammersmith Odeon 1984 (6:04)
This live version was recorded on December 31st 1984 at the Hammersmith Odeon, London (England).
A first recording was released on the 1985 VHS.
A remastered version was released for the first time as track 11 on disc 2 of the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
The audio only recording was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 9 of Disc 9 ("Live at the Hammersmith Odeon - Disc One") from the MCA YEARS box set.
Note that the audio only version has a fade-in and a fade-out.
A remastered video version was released as track 9on February 21st 2025 on the unique DVD from the MCA YEARS box set.
The track doesn't end with a fade out.
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 021106HQ
ISWC: T-011.304.376-7
ICE work key: 2110574
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: January 1st 1984
Probably written between 1978 and 1982.
Live version - B-Side of "The Riddle" Single (3:02)
Released as B-side of 1984 NIK6, NIKP6 and NIKT6 "The Riddle" 7" and 12"singles.
This track was recorded at the Hammesmith Odeon, London, England, on April 15th 1984.
Also released as track 2 on the A side of the NIKC6 "The Riddle" limited cassette single.
Available on CD as track 9 on the 1993 "Best Of NK" collection.
A remastered version was released as track 9 of the 2022 online only "B-Sides" collection.
It was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 10 of Disc 10 ("Live at the Hammersmith Odeon - Disc Two") from the MCA YEARS box set.
Demo - That's Progress (3:09)
A demo tape containing many demo versions of Nik Kershaw's early songs leaked in the early nineties. Copies were shared amongst fans.
Digital format transfers appeared on the Internet in the late nineties.
This recording is NOT an official release and can be found on bootleg CDs such as "NK Demos Part 2 - The Early Versions".
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 6362702Y
ISWC: T-011.308.211-3
ICE work key: 12873304
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: May 3rd 1985
Probably written in 1984.
B-Side of "Wide Boy" Single (3:12)
Released as B-side of Both 1985 NIK7 and NIKT7 "Wide Boy" 7" and 12"singles.
Available on CD as track 11 on the 1993 "Best Of NK" collection.
Also released as track 5 of the 2022 online only "B-Sides" collection.
A remastered version was released for the first time as track 6 on disc 2 of the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
The remastered version was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 4 of Disc 5 ("B Sides" CD) from the MCA YEARS box set.
Written by Nik Kershaw
Tunecode: 022046KT
ISWC: T-011.317.725-5
ICE work key: 2204587
PRS/MCPS - Work registered: August 21st 1985
B-Side of "Don Quixote" Single (3:52)
This song is a duet with Sheri Kershaw.
It was released as B-side of 1985 NIK8, NIKP8 and NIKT8 "Don Quixote" 7" and 12"singles.
A remastered version was released for the first time as track 10 on disc 10 of the 2013 "The Riddle" double CD album and online digital file.
Also released as track 6 of the 2022 online only "B-Sides" collection.
The remastered version was also released on February 21st 2025 as track 5 of Disc 5 ("B Sides" CD) from the MCA YEARS box set.