Kershaw played guitar and sang in a number of underground bands from about 1976 before deciding on a career as a songwriter. However, he ended up performing his own songs rather than giving them to others, and signed a deal with MCA Records in 1983, which spawned a debut single, "I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me", which just missed out on the UK Top 40. At the beginning of 1984, he made his breakthrough when "Wouldn't It Be Good", featuring a video of Kershaw as a chromakey-suited alien, reached Number 4 in the UK charts. He enjoyed three more Top 20 hits from debut album Human Racing , including the title track and a successful re-issue of his debut single, which ultimately proved his biggest hit as a performer when it got to Number 2 in the UK.
Despite winning awards, attracting admirers for his writing such as Elton John & Eric Clapton. He gainied a huge teenage fanbase, Kershaw was not without his critics. Some complained that he did too much onstage when he had a competent backing band called the Krew to play all the required guitar and keyboard parts of his songs.
Kershaw, who was married to long-time love and backing singer Sheri, then released a single called "The Riddle", which would send fans, journalists and linguists into overdrive, as each tried to establish what the meaning was behind the strange set of circumstances and clues which Kershaw put in the verses and chorus (though it in fact later turned out to be hastily created nonsense). Another major hit, it was also the title track of his second album, which also spawned two more UK Top 10 hits, "Wide Boy" and "Don Quixote".
In July 1985 Kershaw was among performers at Live Aid, Wembley Stadium. His star began to wane soon afterwards and he enjoyed only one more UK Top 40 hit, the debut single from his third album, Radio Musicola. Radio Musicola, despite receiving critical acclaim, was a flop in the UK charts. After this, Kershaw teamed up with 'We Built This City' producer Peter Wolf for his fourth album, The Works. After neither Kershaw or Wolf were happy with the results, Kershaw re-recorded the album with producer Julian Mendelsohn. The Works failed to chart in the UK, but it’s debut single, One Step Ahead, charted at No. 55. The albums failure led to him being dropped by MCA Records.
After The Works, Kershaw retired from recording music in favour of his original career path as a songwriter. His prowess as a songwriter served him well in 1991 when his song The One And Only, appeared on the soundtrack to the Brittish movie Buddy's Song and in the American film "Doc Hollywood", and provided a UK Number 1 single for the star of the film, Chesney Hawkes (son of the Tremeloes' Chip Hawkes). In 1993 The Hollies had a minor hit with another of his songs, The Woman I Love. Kershaw featured prominently as a vocalist on Tony Banks’ album Still, along with penning some of the tracks.
1999 saw the release of the Britpop-styled 15 Minutes, a collection of songs that are generally more personal and mature, and that he could not envisage being recorded by other artists. Both this and the more commercial To Be Frank (2001) are stylistically different from his earlier work by being underpinned by acoustic guitar rather than synthesiser.
These were followed by 'You’ve Got To Laugh', another collection of acoustic-led songs and 'EI8HT', a commercial MOR pop album brought on by the 80s revival and also led to the return of synthesisers in his music. Kershaw released his latest album, Oxymoron, in 2020 and is in the process of releasing a series of EPs, Songs from a Shelf. He still performs regularly.
For more information visit the official site at http://www.nikkershaw.net
Stick Around
Nik Kershaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call for another, have yourself some fun
Here's to the good life, drink it down
Stick around
The morning after, playing dead
Don't see the black clouds gather overhead
Consequences raining down
You might just learn something
God only knows what that could be
Stick around
You might just learn something
God only knows and he won't say
The wolf is in your dressing gown
He's huffing, puffing,
Blowing your house down
The party's over, the love is gone
Think what to do you better run,
Yeah you better run or
Stick around
You might just learn something
God only knows what that could be
Stick around
You might just learn something
God only knows so don't ask me
Stick around
What doesn't hurt me kills me slow
What doesn't scare me is nothing I don't know
What doesn't kill me makes me strong
When everything goes bad,
When everything goes wrong
Stick around
You might just learn something
God only knows what that could be
Stick around
You might just learn something
God only knows and he won't say
The song "Stick Around" by Nik Kershaw is a cautionary tale about the dangers of overindulgence and the need to stick around and face the consequences of one's actions. The lyrics begin by encouraging the listener to "drink the good stuff down in one" and "have yourself some fun," but quickly turn ominous as the consequences of such behavior are revealed. The morning after, the consequences become clear as "black clouds gather overhead," and the wolf is at the door, ready to blow down the house. Despite this warning, the song ends on a note of resilience, reminding us that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger and encouraging us to stick around and learn from our mistakes.
The lyrics of "Stick Around" are notable for their evocative imagery and colorful metaphors. The wolf in the dressing gown is a particularly memorable image, representing the destructive force that we invite into our lives when we indulge in excess. The song's refrain, "You might just learn something," is also a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always something to be gained if we are willing to face the consequences of our actions.
Aside from its powerful lyrics, "Stick Around" is also notable for its memorable melody and catchy chorus. The song features a classic 80s synthpop sound, with bright, upbeat synthesizers and a propulsive drumbeat that drives the song forward. Kershaw's vocals are also a standout, ranging from gentle falsetto to powerful belting as the song's mood shifts from playful to ominous.
Overall, "Stick Around" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that remains relevant today. Its message of resilience and the need to face the consequences of our actions is one that resonates with listeners of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
Drink the good stuff down in one
Quickly consume the enjoyable things in life.
Call for another, have yourself some fun
Invite more excitement into your life.
Here's to the good life, drink it down
Cheers to a fulfilling and happy life, embrace it fully.
Stick around
Stay present in the moment, don't leave.
The morning after, playing dead
The aftermath of indulgence may leave you feeling lifeless.
Don't see the black clouds gather overhead
Don't ignore impending trouble and negativity that looms.
Consequences raining down
Results of actions can come crashing down like a storm.
You might just learn something
Sticking around can lead to a valuable lesson.
God only knows what that could be
The outcome of staying may be uncertain but possibly worth it.
The wolf is in your dressing gown
Danger may be disguised, lurking in unexpected places.
He's huffing, puffing, blowing your house down
The danger is strong and capable of causing destruction.
The party's over, the love is gone
Happy times have ended and romance has faded.
Think what to do you better run,
Consider your options and escape if necessary.
Yeah you better run or
Leaving may be the safer choice.
What doesn't hurt me kills me slow
The things that don't cause immediate pain may have long-term negative effects.
What doesn't scare me is nothing I don't know
A lack of fear may indicate a lack of awareness or caution.
What doesn't kill me makes me strong
Difficult experiences can lead to growth and strength.
When everything goes bad, when everything goes wrong
During moments of distress and misfortune.
God only knows so don't ask me
Uncertainty lies ahead, not everyone will have answers or solutions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NIK KERSHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kanno Yoichi
on The Riddle
I got two strong arms
Blessings of Babylon
With time to carry on
And try for sins
And false alarms
So to america the brave
Wise men save
僕は二つの強い武器を知ってる
バビロンの恵み(文明の力の比喩)を
行使する力と
その罪業や
誤った警告を行使する力だ
アメリカの勇敢なる
賢者がやっているようにね
[chorus]
Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where an old man of Erin
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
川沿いに木があり
地面に穴のあいた土地があり
年老いたエール(アイルランド)人の男が
うろうろしている
彼の心は夜を照らす
灯台のようだ
似合っているかどうかはともかく
彼は変な格好をしている
でも彼は君と争いはしないだろう
I got plans for us
Nights in the scullery
And days instead of me
I only know what to discuss
Of for anything but light
Wise men fighting over you
僕はひらめいたことがある
洗い流したいような夜と
昼を僕が背負おうかと
ただ僕は話し合うことがあればいい
光のこと以外ならね
賢者達が君と争うと言うのならね
It's not me you see
Pieces of valentine
With just a song of mine
To keep from burning history
Seasons of gasoline and gold
Wise men fold
君が見てるのは僕じゃないさ
バレンタインの欠片かな
そうそれは僕の歌の中さ
戦火の歴史からもガソリンや
金の暴騰からも避けられるようにとね
賢者達は避けずにいくだろうがね
[chorus repeat]
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 mens child
暇つぶしの時間があったのさ
予定外の行動をする君を
こっそりと見に廊下に出たのさ
ブラックバードが幸せの青い鳥の丘でさえずってる
荒々しい賢者の子供を呼んでくれて有難うとね
[chorus repeat (2x)]
..But he'll never, never fight over you
でも彼は君と争いはしないだろう