• March 1, 1958
• Nik Kershaw is a British singer-songwriter known for his songs "Wouldn't It Be Good" and "The Riddle." Those are his only songs to make much impact in America, but in the UK he had a run of five Top 10 hits from 1984-1986.
• Kershaw says he "kind of drifted into" becoming a pop star. His first job was at an unemployment benefit office, which was when he decided to pursue something creative. He considered drama but decided on music.
• Kershaw has a slight build and soft features, attributes the UK music press often mentioned in stories about him. In a 1984 profile for Smash Hits, his costume designer let slip that she often dressed him in women's clothes because they fit him better.
• Kershaw's '80s hits combined modern synthesizer sounds with thought-provoking lyrics. He was often compared to Howard Jones.
• Unlike many of his peers (Duran Duran come to mind), he wasn't much interest to the gossip columnists. He was already married when he became famous, and was more interested in family life than indulgence. To relax, he would play chess.
• He tried to break into the American market in 1985 by touring there as the opening act for Paul Young, who had a #1 hit in the US with "Everytime You Go Away."
• After releasing his fourth album, The Works, in 1989, his record deal expired, so he started writing for other artists. The first song he wrote for someone else was "The One And Only," a #1 UK hit for Chesney Hawkes in 1991 that also reached #10 in America thanks in part to its use in the Michael J. Fox movie Doc Hollywood.
• Kershaw performed at Live Aid but was so nervous he forgot the words to his big hit, "Wouldn't It Be Good."
  
  "I sang the wrong words but did at least sing something," he said.

Comments

More Songfacts:

Mr. BojanglesThe Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

The Texas songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker wrote "Mr. Bojangles" after a weekend in jail where a fellow inmate told him his life story.

All ApologiesNirvana

When the Christian band DC Talk covered Nirvana's "All Apologies" at concerts, they would change the line "Everyone is gay" to "Jesus is the Way."

Don't Go Back To RockvilleR.E.M.

The R.E.M. song "Don't Go Back To Rockville" is about Mike Mills' girlfriend at the University of Georgia, who had to go back to Rockville, Maryland, for the summer.

Closer To FineIndigo Girls

The "Doctor of philosophy" in the Indigo Girls' song "Closer To Fine" is based on a teacher Emily Saliers had who had a poster of Rasputin on his door.

Fallin'Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys got a huge break when Oprah had her perform her debut single "Fallin'" on her show.

Dirty WorkSteely Dan

"Dirty Work" is one of the few Steely Dan songs not sung by Donald Fagen. The lead vocal is by David Palmer, who sang on two tracks from their debut album.

Editor's Picks

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.