Kamen was first brought to the public's attention in 1984 when Ray Petri featured him on the front cover of The Face. The cover showed him wearing a ski-hat, orange roll-neck sweater and aviator sunglasses.
He was most remembered, in the UK, for his 1985 beefcake performance in Levi's "Launderette" television commercial, where he strips down in order to stone-wash his blue jeans in a 1950s style public laundromat while he waits clad only in his boxer shorts, which dramatically increased their popularity. It was selected for, and came fourth, in "The 100 Greatest TV Ads of All Time" in 2000.
His first single was the 1986 UK #5 hit "Each Time You Break My Heart" from his self-titled debut album. Written and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray, it also cracked both the U.S. dance chart (remix by Shep Pettibone) and the Top 50 in Canada. Madonna also sang the backing vocals. Her original demo remains one of many Unreleased Madonna Songs. Kamen also had a #16 follow-up in the UK with the second single, "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever", although his later singles were less-commercially successful in the UK but more so in the rest of Europe, particularly Italy, France, Germany and Spain.
He appeared on UK television, singing, on Top of the Pops (12 March 1987 and 18 October 1990), This Morning (9 April 1990), Night Network (15 April 1987, 19 August 1987 and 1988) and The Tube (31 October 1986 and 21 November 1986).
Kamen's second album Us (1989) was produced by Patrick Leonard. Madonna again made an appearance as a backing vocalist on the song "Tell Me", this time without contributing to the songwriting or production.
In 1989 Kamen performed the song "Turn It Up" on the soundtrack to Walt Disney's film, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
A new dance remix of his self-penned 1990 song, "I Promised Myself", and his biggest hit, was featured on a 2004 various artists collection in Europe and three years later, in 2007, the Spanish singer José Galisteo recorded his own version of the song. Kamen's own version was the fourth highest played record in Europe in 1990 and reached No 1 in eight European countries.
Looking Good Diving
Nick Kamen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's things I'd like to say
Change from day to day
To win your love this way
So much love to give
So little time to live
I'm strong your sensitive
Looking good diving
Looking good diving
Looking good diving
For your love
Your love
Your the only one
When all is said and done
I'm the lonely one
So much love to give
So little time to live
I'm strong your sensitive
Looking good diving
Looking good diving
Looking good diving
For your love
Your love
Don't go away
Please stay
Thats what i meant to say
Don't go away
But in the end
We can still be friends
Your the only one
You must be sweet
And I'll be strong
The lonely one
Looking good diving
Looking good diving
Looking good diving
Looking good diving
Looking good diving
Looking good diving
Looking good diving
For your love
The lyrics to Nick Kamen's song "Looking Good Diving" express the desire to win someone's affection and love. The first line, "Looking good diving for your love," can be interpreted as the singer being willing to do anything, even diving into the deep end, in order to prove his dedication to the person he desires. He goes on to express his willingness to change and adapt in order to win over their affection, but ultimately his lack of confidence and fear of rejection make him feel alone and vulnerable, thus making him doubt his ability to win over the person he desires. Throughout the song, there's an underlying theme of being strong and confident on the outside, but feeling sensitive and insecure on the inside. The last few lines of the song suggest that the singer is willing to accept the reality that he may only be friends with the person they desire, but that he will still cherish the connection they have.
Overall, the song is about the universal human desire for love and affection, and the insecurities that often accompany it. The singer's desire for love and affection is conveyed through the repeated line "Looking good diving for your love," while his internal struggles with confidence and self-doubt are expressed in the line "I'm strong your sensitive." The song's messaging is ultimately hopeful, as it suggests that even if the singer doesn't get the person he desires in a romantic sense, their friendship is still something he values deeply.
Line by Line Meaning
There's things I'd like to say
There are things I want to express
Change from day to day
My feelings change constantly
To win your love this way
I hope to gain your affection through my actions
So much love to give
I have a lot of love to offer
So little time to live
Life is short
I'm strong your sensitive
I am strong while you are more sensitive
You're the only one
You are the only person for me
When all is said and done
In the end
I'm the lonely one
I am alone without you
Don't go away
Please don't leave
Please stay
I want you to remain with me
That's what I meant to say
I hope I expressed myself clearly
But in the end
In the final analysis
We can still be friends
We can remain on amicable terms
You must be sweet
You are kind and pleasant
And I'll be strong
I will be resilient and steadfast
Looking good diving for your love
I am doing everything I can to win your love
Contributed by Samantha J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hongbang dynasty
This song should have been a bigger hit. RIP Nick...
Massadara
This song triggers something for some reason. It makes me "ugly"-cry every time I hear it. And I have it on repeat right now. RIP Nick Kamen. Thank you for giving a lot of us many childhood memories.
Andrea Maggiore
His music career deserved more respect....very good song :-(
laurence ammar
Totally agree with you he had everyrhing beauty talent excellent music and his videos are incredibly artistic...hope he Will be more remembered rip dear nick
claudio suriano
Rest in peace Nick...
Diana Dilkes
Love his version over the original. RIP sweet soul. 💔😭
mickfizz1
A fabulous version
Thanks for sharing.
Marty Mcfly
It's not bad!!
Bridgett Holman
Great show of respect for Morgan McVey!
Pepe M Mas
so sad RIP Nick Kamen, this is my favourite song from this album