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.
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
@@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.
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.
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.
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.
@@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
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. :)
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..
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.
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!!!!
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.
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'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!
i was only a kid in the 80’s and had this tune on the tip of my tongue for weeks but just couldn’t figure out what i was trying to remember, randomly started whistling it the other day then whistled it into google song search and here i am 🙌🏻 what an absolute banger this is and brings back a shit ton of memories. i’m gonna use this melody in a bounce track now i’ve tracked it down 😀
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...
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
@@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👍
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.
@@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.
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 always say music is a time machine that can bring back time...listening to this song brings me back to when nothing really matters...days were actually stress free n care free...of course it was during those days whwn i was a young boy...but im 46 married with a kid n this song still gives me that serenity...
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.
Awesome as it still sounds so fresh like it did when it came out in the 80's. The production of all the music of the 80's was the best. This one of my favourite 80's songs. Plus I love Nik Kershaw...
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.
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.
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
![Pet Shop Boys - Always on my mind (Official Video) [4k Upgrade]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bDMCwSP5nf0/mqdefault.jpg)
"For a strange kind of fashion, there's a wrong and a right."
Coming from the guy with the best mullet of the 80's, I have to believe that.
McGyver wants to have a word with you about who's got the best mullet.
Honestly this song was written in a week and the tune in 20 mins
David Bowie had the best mullet ever
@@Leon_der_Luftige Too right!!
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.
It's incredible how the 80's has produced the best songs ever. It still amazes me.
Completely agree
Absolutely !
The Beatles may have something to say about that...
Lots, lots and lots of drugs. And sexual freedom. Also an economic crunch followed by the biggest boom in history.
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. ❤️ 🙏
This will always be one of the best which never dies :)
czcams.com/video/cvvd-9azD1M/video.htmlsi=cqxM0dJNKinj6Rpo
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
@CathyKitson yes I feel the same I was born in 70s so 80 were my favourite always will be.
I am a music teacher and these chord changes are brilliant , from a F minor to a A major is really unique !
These chord changes are insane and i love it!
you should check out the 1970s and especially bands like Earth Wind and fire.
Somebody changed from f sharp minor to a minor, with an intro i g major jumping to e flat major.
As someone who knows nothing about music, I haven't a notion what you're saying, but I do know I love this song! 🤣
Interesting, I never realized.
I think this song represents the moment of confusion before sleep, when you think about random words and images
Or when trying to solve a very difficult riddle.
That's always a great moment
No, it has a meaning.
Of course, sometimes, the moment just as you wake up, after sleep, is the moment you figure things out. :)
When i watch that i got a strange feeling and strange nostalgia, maybe by this
When I try to sleep I get everything about to slam open from demons someone help me
The chord sequence is insane. Random key changes where they technically shouldn't be. Genius.
Very fun, especially that bridge. But random only to people who have a strict idea of what a pop song is allowed to do.
@@LightningShade12 Agreed. I have no clue what all that musical slang is about. Please someone teach us!
are you American? typical chords for brit rock 70s
@@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.
2024---60yrs old and still loving it
😮
@@hitasaavedragamboa7251😳
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.
same
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.
@@quasarsphere the checker board he avoids walking on is a masonic thing lts in this song to the person with knowledge
same feelings with talk talk songs
i want to give this song to my literature teacher, she told us every song has a meaning
You should try with lil pump
the meaning is LSD
talk to Nik he said himself this song is literal non-sense
shes in trouble.....
It’s a riddle I guess 😂
Teacher: The test isn’t hard
The first question in the test:
😂😂😂
Yeah(＠_＠;)
😅😅😅
noob
😂😂😂😂😂 LOL
I'm 14 and the first time I've heard this was back when I was around 6 on the radio. Truly a great song.
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.
It sure was
I haven't heard this song in ages and didn't know its name. Now I feel like a part of my childhood has been retrieved
123 456 same here, I’m so happy I found this song
Same
Ya literally I thought this video got billion views but was quite shocked to discover that
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.
Me too guys, i feel the samee and i'm from Brazil.
This song still has more meaning than most modern pop songs...
Really.
And modern pop songs doesn't have lips on the wall
@@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
@@naotomori5974 The fact that this songs lyrics are nonsense is the songs meaning but go off
Haha
Saw Nik Kershaw last night live with Go West in Brisbane Australia. Great night and Talent
ずっと探していた曲です。中学生の時、ラジオから良く
流れていた。懐かしい。名曲です。
Me alegro intensamente de que la hayas encontrado.
Un gran abrazo desde Colombia,Continente Americano.
a tu hermana......
私も幼い頃聴いていつまで経っても忘れられずにいた曲です。大人になって「どっちの料理ショー」だったと思いますが、そのテレビ番組のエンディングか何かで聴いてテレビ局に聞いた記憶があります。
当時FMでフルで聴いたときにフェードアウトが主流の中、ぴったり終わるので好印象だった記憶。
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. :)
LOL
:D
This was my favorite song as a 17 year old and still b is
what were the lyrics please i gotta hear em lol
I'm portuguese too, I didn't know there are people in our country that listen to this masterpiece, good thing there are
This melody is so beauty and strange at the same time
YES and I can't stop listinening it
I just realized that these lyrics are DEEP!!!...Being grown-up with that music and now 35 it's a good result...
same here, my friend
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.
I was 9 years old. After 40 years I still love this song. Now as then.
i was 3 years old and after 20 years i still love this perfect song. Good day from Czech Republic
I'm fifty.HELLO
I'm . ..old. Good Nice Song.March 2023
@@hesssabine4364 stop being ashamed of your age. You are who you are.
@@joannefalkinder393 Merci.This is Nice 🦋
I think Nik Kershaw is vastly under rated. His songs are all excellent and the musicians he used were very good as well.
Underrated how? He was a huge star back in the day.
Jego piosenki można słuchać bez końca super.
Was shocked to read that he's never won any major music awards!
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..
Not agree !! Absolute that He' s given wrote music-Book ; to make songs
Nik Kershaw himself has said in interviews that the lyrics aren't meant to make any sense. It's lyrical nonsense, but enjoyable nonsense
With at least a tiny bit of original wit he could have titled the song "Lorem Ipsum".
@@Dowlphin the riddle sounds cooler
He's lying! It's an aural treasure map; he just doesn't want us to know where the gold is buried...
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 can’t believe I am crying so happy watching 80s videos. My youth ❤❤❤❤❤
There is better than have known the 80's
It was being born in 79 and discover the music as a kid in the 80's
1979 forever !!!
Nik Kershaw: the first person in escape room ever XD
Actually he's McGyver.
What about Alice in Wonderland?
POV in cinema terminology
Polska? XDD
@@Kaizzer yes this is Alice
One minute of silence for the ones who didn‘t find this song.
I found now
After many years
23/12/20
BAAH! 4yo me heard and do remember - to THIS day ;-)
Lol..it popped into my head to day so when I got on here all I typed in was 'goes around and around' and I found it straightaway....lol
I came by accident 🤣
@@catey62 ahah, could have been "you spin me round" from Dead or alive :P
The riddle is why is he so underrated? He is a very talented musician and songwriter, and really handsome
His video were to abstract then , he wasn't like Jackson or George Michael...Perhaps really underestimated
something odd about how peoples faces looked back in the day
the masses don't understand great art
@@Killuminati23 Never heard a truer sentence in my life
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!!!!
Brilliant...
You finally solved the RIDDLE of what this song was!!
Excellent song by Nik Kershaw, very underrated singer...
Probably one of the most criminally underrated talents of the 80s. Gets overlook a lot. He was a solid performer.
He's literally *the* 80s guy.
Whenever i think of the 80s his image comes up
@@unloadedone he was huge in the UK. Top tier.
I like this song
Why is the comment always _" is SO underrated!"_
He was NOT "underrated" - he was, and IS WORLD FAMOUS!!!
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.
❤
It's a happy and optimistic sweet song like a modern day fairy tale from an era we loved and still do🙏💙
Love this song.
Takes me back in time,when life was simple.
The owners of that house are going to come back and say oh the riddler security system we set up worked really well.
ok
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.
😍Kim Wilde
Good Nice Song and Singer.
Amazing your saying that...
He and she were the reigning king and queen of the good-looking mullet!!
This song is a masterpiece!!! Thank you Nik Kershaw
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'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!
Nice story, now maybe you can help us finding this: www.reddit.com/r/TheMysteriousSong/
SAAAAAAAMMMMMEEEE
Maybe that's the riddle and you solved it...
reminding you again. @Silly Skeleton
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!
The 80's is strong with this one
Yes Obi-Wan.
Singing fantastic words along with a mysterious melody. This is one of the best Nick Kershaw songs.
Indeed, alongside with 'Wouldn't it be good?'
Or wide boy, great song
I love how absolutely random and weird music videos were in the 80s.
A lot of people turning gay in 80s
2:39 nostalgia hits me hard, what a legend tune
me too , if you knew !
Yeah, this bit especially.
03:01 the best chorus line
This song doesn't make any sense. It's wonderful!
James Carmichael it’s a riddle
SAM MCD No
I miss songs like this nowadays
Kershaw have acknowledged this himself, saying "it takes a long time to write lyrics, so I wrote this dummy lyric."
There's a dum diddle diddle and a hole in a tree...
i was only a kid in the 80’s and had this tune on the tip of my tongue for weeks but just couldn’t figure out what i was trying to remember, randomly started whistling it the other day then whistled it into google song search and here i am 🙌🏻 what an absolute banger this is and brings back a shit ton of memories. i’m gonna use this melody in a bounce track now i’ve tracked it down 😀
This is one of the best 80s songs I have ever heard!
I was and still am completely obsessed with this song
+veda pierce The months past and past and this song still very good
+veda pierce me too
I love this song since I was 6 years old haha. I'm 15.😂
me too
+veda pierce Very beautiful song.
"The Riddle," Nik Kershaw. Released 19 November 1984. It will be 32 years old this month! Today is 06 Nov. 2016. Time flies!
Got to number 3 in early December 1984 - the week before Band Aid and Wham's double A side crashed in at 1 and 2 respectively.
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...
Fuck croatia! Zivela Srbija, ustaše! hahaha
It's interesting how it's easy nowadays to say/o write-Vukowar felt...in 1991,that was forbidden to say ! Zar ne ?
Ef allir hér skriflega á erlendu tungumáli, hví ekki ég að reyna á íslensku?
I am not a music teacher and these chord changes are brilliant , from a F minor to a A major is really unique !
You should be a music teacher🎉❤
I lost the chord to my xbox
lmao dude, your comment is just under the original one
Lol @@fallout8516
Dj Gigi D'Agostino did a remix in 1999 and became very famous in Brazil in the 2000s, I didn't know the original version, very cool!
This has to be the catchiest song of all time, it's impossible to listen to this only once
SO true. already on my third LOL
This is true mastery of song writing - the chord progressions and modulations are mindbendingly good.
poor people who listened on radio in the 80'ies...
Very true! Already on my 7th!
@@M0butu és boldogok.
Most is.
A háborrús híreket törli ez a dal.
És újra-újra lejátszom. Soha nem elég egyszer!
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
Of course the first time I heard this song was in Germany. Now I'm back and still enmeshed in the riddle.
I love video clips from 1980's there were so much creativity in it.
I play this song on a public piano in train stations sometimes. Only people in their 40s and up look at me and smile.
I’m early 30s and I’d give you a smile. First discovered this about 10 years ago.
:-) from France !
@@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👍
This is the most 80s music there is. And I love it.
I remember listening to this as a 6 year old feeling how it felt so meaningful. Like it was the song of my whole life.
A score that's an absolute rollercoaster ride and lyrics that make absolutely no sense. One of the best pieces of music there is :D
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!
agreed! timeless classic
I only noticed after a musician pointed it out to me. You've got to know music to catch it and appreciate it
@@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.
i hear it, that makes sense i needa listen to more prog
He was really cute ❤️
was? :(
@@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.
He's a beacon in the night
Gorgeous
indeeeed !!!!!!
The melody is stucking in my head and I can't lose it!
No, I am not complaining ;)
Thank you dad for showing me all these amazing artists and songs back in those good old times, it was all worth it.
Nik Kershaw is such an underrated songwriter.
His time in the charts was pretty brief but he released 3 of the best songs of the entire 80s
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 was a happier person before I saw the wall with lips.
Glory holes
@@allfenom sometimes we have thoughts that we don't need to share with the world.
A glory hole is 80cm high.
These were the glory holes in the 80's
@@wengrzynv8 Tiny glory holes... mistaken the specificacions XD
so handsome and so beautiful eyes nik 😍
This song is absolutelly well made! I love how everything fits in such an abstract way, but yet very tonal with such a great chorus!
I have 29 years old but i love listen old music is the best they are master pieces of art
One of coolest hairstyles of the 80s
Wish I had hair...
he doesn't have as much hair these days..still a nice looking man, but less hair.
Wish i had that hair... 2
Wish i had hair....
Lone Wolf johny cash
a real 80’s masterpiece by Nik.
Amazing this is what you call music 🤘♥️👍
I aspire to be a music teacher and these chord changes are brilliant , from a F minor to a A major is really unique !
He was so cute
This song was stuck on my head an entire week, i hated it x'D Now it's gone... Now I miss it ;-;
Haha
Yeah, it had that effect on me, too.
I tend to get this stuck in my head and I can't remember the friggin' name! Thank god for Google.
the same is happening to me again xD
Could be worse, I've pretty much had it stuck in my head for years since I was a kid
Still one of my favourite songs from my childhood. I turn 21 this year and i thank my parents for making me grow up with this song
I always say music is a time machine that can bring back time...listening to this song brings me back to when nothing really matters...days were actually stress free n care free...of course it was during those days whwn i was a young boy...but im 46 married with a kid n this song still gives me that serenity...
man I still remember it word for word !!!
Its amazing :)
The most articulated chords progression in the history of pop music, and when you think you got it, it changes again. Genius!
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.
Genius is definitely the right word. This is top shelf songcraft right here.
80s tunes are timeless classics, forever remembered. Most of today's stuff won't be remembered next month.
The songs and video from this era are priceless. We won't see it again. Sad. Brilliant.
80s masterpiece.
Absolute legend. Nick was a superstar of my life. Great original music.
Hope Nick is well and happily enjoying his wealth. Well deserved.
He’s still doing concerts! He came to my country last year and the place was PACKED. 👍
Awesome as it still sounds so fresh like it did when it came out in the 80's. The production of all the music of the 80's was the best. This one of my favourite 80's songs. Plus I love Nik Kershaw...
Ich habe dieses Lied als 13Jähriger Teenager geliebt,und nach fast 40Jahren immer noch,fantastisch!!! Besser geht nicht.❤❤❤.
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
Thanks!
I tried to look for lyrics on the google but it says something different.... Thanks a lot
@@Daco- what does it say D A V I D
X
Wow u watched the lyrics ;)
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.
The chord progressions and flow of the words really makes the song
Masterpiece
Nik was always a very underrated artist. The guy played guitar, bass, synth/keyboards and could play drums too.
Gigi d'agostino - the riddle
Musically it’s really thoughtful and clever. Very few modern chart hits have anything like this originality.
One of the most underrated artists ever. Genius songwriter and producer. Was involved in so many other artists massive hits. 🙌🏼
J ai vécu les années 80❤ pure beauté. Wish I coud go back in time to the 80's and leave this empty sinister 2000..2010..2023..etc yrs.
This song is kinda like my dreams, they never make sense but I like them
Just like mine 😂😊
@@PajafromPrague And mine…
One of the best songs of the 80s
Pure genius. Hard to believe how good pop music was back then.
The Mozart of Pop-Rock, Nik Kershaw! Sheer genius in every respect!😇
One of the Great songs.
So Catchy.
I remember having a similar mullet hair cut in the 80s.
This man was a good looking dude. I must confess he still looks good and is aging well. Love his songs.
A song that lives forever
80's MUSIC NEVER DIES !
💯💯💯
And it never will ❤
Les .. années 90 's 🔥 sont brillantes
Aussi !! .
Seventies......👍🇬🇧🤓
I love this song
2017 and this is still much better than anything you listen to nowadays.
Luiz Henrique Whong there are some good artists and songs these days, but yes, the majority is crap with no thought put into anything.
Luiz Henrique Whong 2018 still The same :)
I totally agree, crap music nowadays.
Doro Jessy Then you haven’t looked at all
I agree, love this song and i'm Fifteen so i am not that old
Beautiful times with this lovely song, thank your Nick. Tina from Hamburg ❤
Nik Kershaw is great, all his music is extraordinary. 😀👍
Kershaw's songs are always little musical gems. Definetly one of the cleverest musicians this country currently has.
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 Couldn't said it better myself, cheers.
But it make absolutely no sense
+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.
probably not the best lyrics of the decade tho lol
+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.
Dude invented escape rooms 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