"You've Got to Laugh" is the seventh studio album by Nik Kershaw, released on 26 October 2006 through his own record label, Shorthouse Records. Initially, the album was made available exclusively through Kershaw's website and his personal studio, but it is now accessible for digital download via platforms like iTunes, eMusic, and streaming services such as Spotify.
In a 2008 interview, Kershaw explained that the album took about five years to complete. He clarified that the process wasn't a constant or intense period of recording, but rather a gradual accumulation of tracks over time. He credited his girlfriend with encouraging him to release the album, noting that without her support, it might never have seen the light of day. The songs on the album are deeply personal, reflecting Kershaw’s own experiences, as well as those of people around him. He described the album as a reflection on real life, including friendships, conflicts, and the complexities of everyday existence, with no attempt at creating a glamorous image.
No singles were released from the album. The CD sleeve features a dedication to Kershaw's late father, Douglas John Kershaw, who passed away in 2005. Additionally, the official Nik Kershaw website initially featured an instrumental version of the closing track "You Don't Have to Be the Sun" as a work-in-progress.
You've Got to Laugh represents a deeply personal chapter in Kershaw’s career, with a focus on reflection, honesty, and the passage of time.
