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The Riddle

by Nik Kershaw

Released: November 19, 1984

Synth-pop, jazz

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

"The Riddle" is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Nik Kershaw, released on November 19, 1984, by MCA Records. The album was re-released on August 9, 2013, by Universal Music Group's Re-presents imprint, featuring rare bonus content. This reissue came as a two-disc set, with the original album digitally remastered from the original 1/2" mix tapes.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The bonus content included B-sides, 12" mixes, and…

The bonus content included B-sides, 12" mixes, and live versions of songs from the album.

The cover artwork for The Riddle was shot…

The cover artwork for The Riddle was shot on Chesil Beach in Dorset, England, with the Isle of Portland visible in the background.

The same photograph was used for the single…

The same photograph was used for the single release of "The Riddle," with the back sleeve showing Kershaw reading a map at Portland Bill, with the Trinity House Obelisk highlighted in the image.

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Essential Tracks

The Riddle

"The Riddle" is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Nik Kershaw, released on November 19, 1984, by MCA Records.

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Nik Kershaw - The Riddle

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Then

Reception

It produced three hit singles in the UK: the title track "The Riddle," which reached number three, "Wide Boy," which peaked at number nine, and "Don Quixote," which reached number 10. The album peaked at number eight on the UK Albums Chart and also charted in the top 10 in New Zealand and Norway. The album was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"The Riddle" is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Nik Kershaw, released on November 19, 1984, by MCA Records.

Upon its release, The Riddle was well-received by most music critics. The album peaked at number eight on the UK Albums Chart and also charted in the top 10 in New Zealand and Norway. It produced three hit singles in the UK: the title track "The Riddle," which reached number three, "Wide Boy," which peaked at number nine, and "Don Quixote," which reached number 10. The album was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

The album was re-released on August 9, 2013, by Universal Music Group's Re-presents imprint, featuring rare bonus content. This reissue came as a two-disc set, with the original album digitally remastered from the original 1/2" mix tapes. The bonus content included B-sides, 12" mixes, and live versions of songs from the album.

The cover artwork for The Riddle was shot on Chesil Beach in Dorset, England, with the Isle of Portland visible in the background. The same photograph was used for the single release of "The Riddle," with the back sleeve showing Kershaw reading a map at Portland Bill, with the Trinity House Obelisk highlighted in the image.