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Nik Kershaw — Wouldn't It Be Good (acoustic)
Album: To Be Frank
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2092









Released: 2001
Length: 4:44
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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I got it bad, you don't know how bad I got it
You got it easy, you don't know when you've got it good
It's getting harder just keeping life and soul together
I'm sick of fighting, even though I know I should

The cold is biting through each and every nerve and fiber
My broken spirit is frozen to the core
I don't want to be here no more

Wouldn't it be good to be in your shoes
Even if it was for just one day
Wouldn't it be good if we could wish ourselves away

Wouldn't it be good to be on your side
The grass is always greener over there
Wouldn't it be good if we could live without a care

You must be joking, you don't know a thing about it
You've got no problem, I'd stay right there if I were you
I got it harder, you couldn't dream how hard I got it
Stay out of my shoes if you know what's good for you

The heat is stifling, burning me up from the inside
The sweat is coming through each and every pore
I don't want to be here no more
I don't want to be here no more
I don't want to be here no more

Wouldn't it be good to be in your shoes
Even if it was for just one day
Wouldn't it be good if we could wish ourselves away, ooh

Wouldn't it be good to be on your side
The grass is always greener over there
And wouldn't it be good if we could live without a care

I got it bad, you don't know how bad I got it
You got it easy, you don't know when you've got it good
It's getting harder just keeping life and soul together
I'm sick of fighting, even though I know I should
Comments (129)add comment
Desperately (alright, too much drama) but trying to find this version.  
Posted 1 month ago by mkane67    [ Reply ]
The 2019 live version on YouTube is over the top good
Posted 2 months ago by Nutriaoso1    [ Reply ]
Gotta turn this up ...every time.
Posted 2 months ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
Great stuff.
Posted 3 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
 meatmike wrote:

Divine.  I love this song in its original release, but this takes it to a new level.

Bumping (meatmike had 41 upvotes as of this) - because meatmike nailed it.

Posted 9 months ago by IvanTheMediocre    [ Reply ]
Welcome to the Bad Karaoke Bar
Posted 10 months ago by MrDill    [ Reply ]
great song, simple, penetrating!
Posted 10 months ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
 peregrin wrote:

The album shown isn't right. It's from his 2010 No Frills acoustic album.


and that is a fabulous album in itself. (Have A Nice LIfe has me in tears everytime)
Posted 10 months ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
This is one of those songs that makes me think, "I ought to learn that and play it sometime."
Posted 1 year ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
A lot of my friends think he was a one hit wonder.  I listen to to "15 Minutes" and "To be Frank" albums a lot. There are some other good tunes on them.

Wounded, Have a Nice Life and What do you think of it so far  are all really good tunes.
Posted 1 year ago by rabaak    [ Reply ]
It's great to hear an old song reworked.    This is the first time I really appreciated this song....   
Posted 1 year ago by RedTopFireBelow    [ Reply ]
Great acoustic take but I still prefer the electric full band version with the killer synth bass.  Just sayin' ...
Posted 1 year ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
 blighjohnn wrote:

Brilliant !! What a song and great version !




Could not agree more - I loved the 80s album - brings back the walkman memories
Posted 1 year ago by Manwiththetan1    [ Reply ]
Brilliant !! What a song and great version !
Posted 1 year ago by blighjohnn    [ Reply ]
If you like this, you should definitely listen to Kershaw's "Oxygen":


Nik Kershaw - Oxygen
Posted 1 year ago by trogel    [ Reply ]
This number is okay, but I like the electric version more.
Posted 2 years ago by BobHeisler    [ Reply ]
This actually is from the No Frills album, Here are some links: https://open.spotify.com/album...
https://open.spotify.com/track...
https://youtube.com/playlist?l...
https://youtube.com/watch?v=_r0g42PM6G4

Posted 2 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
This one always picks me up😎
Posted 2 years ago by jirvin8387    [ Reply ]
The album shown isn't right. It's from his 2010 No Frills acoustic album.
Posted 2 years ago by peregrin    [ Reply ]
what a great song, I discovered it just recently on a new album released by Cliff Hillis. If you like this, check it out, there are horns!
Posted 2 years ago by Delawhere    [ Reply ]
2 tracks ago it was "Cold. Cold. Cold" by Cage the Elephant, and I thought, if I was Bill I'd follow that one with this one. And here it is. 
Posted 2 years ago by lewisv66    [ Reply ]
One of those album covers you wonder, what were they thinking?
Posted 2 years ago by inbagt    [ Reply ]
Remember cunning chord changes in pop music?
Posted 2 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
My friend and I were just discussing this song, 13 minutes ago.. and you played it?!  Love this station!
Posted 3 years ago by sfearll    [ Reply ]
Nicely maturing musician.
Posted 3 years ago by Silvervanman    [ Reply ]
Love Nik's 80s stuff, but when he suddenly returned to the (small) spotlight in 1998 with the album "15 Minutes" I couldn't believe how good a singer-songwriter he really is.

Saw him on his tour back then and afterwards he came out to chat. 
Excellent guy!
Posted 3 years ago by trogel    [ Reply ]
some people think he was a 1 hit wonder.

all his albums are good in my opinion
Posted 3 years ago by rabaak    [ Reply ]
I remember this !!!
I loved the original and still do... I seem to be the only one here to not enjoy this version as much?

Ihatethissong wrote:
 

Posted 3 years ago by PinkSo    [ Reply ]
Hey Bill, you save my day, again.
In some parts of Germany we got a new lock down, more home office, distance learning - again... Long lives RP!
Posted 3 years ago by sunnyS    [ Reply ]
 VV wrote:
Not usually big on covers but this one is nice. A solid 7.
 
It's not a cover - he wrote it.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Nice version!
As an 80s kid and keyboard lover I'm really into his inventive 80s stuff.... but when he came back as a singer-songwriter with "15 MINUTES" I totally fell in love with his new stuff as well.

So, Bill - give us something from 15 MINUTES please ;) 
Posted 3 years ago by trogel    [ Reply ]
I may be crazy but the delivery of "Wouldn't it be good to be in your shoes" sounds a lot like "What if I were Romeo in black jeans" from No Myth by Michael Penn.
Posted 3 years ago by brosen    [ Reply ]
I really like this version of the song and wanted to purchase for my very own self. Alas, it's not available anywhere. I tried the link here on RP and it took me to the dreaded "Uh-oh, something went wrong" page on Amazon. I searched for it on Amazon and you have to buy the whole CD for $44.
Sorry, I don't like it that much.
Posted 3 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
Helo time travellers, could someone go back and just delete the whole "unplugged" thing please, it was all a horrible mistake.
Posted 3 years ago by NoisyMiner    [ Reply ]
 VV wrote:
Not usually big on covers but this one is nice. A solid 7.
 

Maybe it helps that this is just a different version of the song. It's his song, so not a cover, ya dig? :)
Posted 3 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 purplespider wrote:
vapid & irritating{#Arghhh}
 
That's enough about you.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Nik Kershaw is a very good songwriter indeed, and a pretty tasty guitarist.  I've seen him a couple of times, and have all his records.  Great to see him on RP.  I would recommend the album Fifteen Minutes - some fantastic songs.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 Atombender wrote:
Pretty pretty good, but the mix is a little off. Too much bass in the background for my taste, but a good version! 

Think Bill EQs the bass on many (most? / all?) of the songs played here

Easy to confirm somethings different -  if you play something you have in your collection, straight after hearing it here - my opinion is the RP version usually sounds better...
--------------------


Seems this is on 15 Minutes instead of To Be Frank

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15_Minutes_(Nik_Kershaw_album)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Be_Frank 
Posted 3 years ago by rtrt    [ Reply ]
Pretty pretty good, but the mix is a little off. Too much bass in the background for my taste, but a good version!
Posted 4 years ago by Atombender    [ Reply ]
Divine.  I love this song in its original release, but this takes it to a new level.
Posted 4 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
Wow. Never heard this before. Immediately rated an 8. Maybe going up if I hear it again.
Posted 4 years ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
Wow. I've seen references to this version in comments on the original (which I love) but hadn't heard before now. This is beautiful. I've always loved the discordance and odd syncopation of the original and appreciated the lyrics - but this drives the meaning and emotion to the fore. Rather nicely done Mr K.
Posted 4 years ago by memoryboxer    [ Reply ]
The subtlest yodeller
Posted 4 years ago by renaultr17    [ Reply ]
Love this version!
Posted 5 years ago by Malachy    [ Reply ]
Man, if the song did not bring back some memories in its original form,,, this version, with so much more feeling ,, is bringing me to my knees.   
Posted 5 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
Never cared for the original, but really love this version.  So much emotion, vs. the original with the dead robot voice. 
Posted 5 years ago by marci28    [ Reply ]
Never stopped to listen much to Nik Kershaw other than this song, but then I heard him sing "The Lamia" live with Steve Hackett from Genesis' "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" and I was blown away. Great talent. 
Posted 5 years ago by DanielHLloyd    [ Reply ]
More NIK KERSHAW!!!

Lost genius artist !!!
Posted 6 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
Bill - you have the wrong album cover. This is a bonus track on "15 Minutes" (1999).

I own the album shown - "To Be Frank" - which is really quite a good album - and this from someone who preferred Howard Jones to Nik back in the day.

OK, guilty as charged. I have very eclectic music tastes, which is why I'm here ... {#Notworthy}
Posted 6 years ago by Ben_D_Wire    [ Reply ]
Nik Kershaw is one of life's gems.
Posted 6 years ago by Larrygrrl    [ Reply ]
"Bumping this to a 9. Better than the original version."

I have to agree! A classic song, covered better than the original by the original artist...  
Posted 6 years ago by Chipps    [ Reply ]
Not usually big on covers but this one is nice. A solid 7.
Posted 6 years ago by VV    [ Reply ]
very nice !
Posted 6 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Nice version, he did well in this work./
Posted 6 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
Damn, that cover photo looks like Leonard Cohen in a Hall of Mirrors.

 
Exactly. Well observed.
Posted 6 years ago by funkyalfonso    [ Reply ]
Love a bit of Nik.
Posted 7 years ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Nik Kershaw is the sort of performer that I disliked in the 1980's and 1990's but actually when you listen to this song in it's acoustic guise with an objective mind... it is somebody who wrote a catchy tune, has reasonably meaningful lyrics, he can sing and I presume that is him playing the guitar.  Actually I would be happy to have achieved any one of those things :)

  Never heard of this guy before - one of the great things about RP.
Your comment was likable, the song more so.


Posted 7 years ago by altblues1    [ Reply ]
Bumping this to a 9. Better than the original version.

That says something to me. When covers or acoustic version surpass the original that means that there is more going on in that song than what is apparent on the surface. The previous song, Thunderstruck is a perfect example. Every cover I've heard so far is better than the original. Then again, I don't care for AC/DC since Bon Scott died. So there's that.
Posted 7 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Damn, that cover photo looks like Leonard Cohen in a Hall of Mirrors.
Posted 7 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Ick.  I need to go have a wash and get all the Kershaw off me.
Posted 7 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 the_jake wrote:

Me too!

 
And me. Both versions. 
Posted 7 years ago by linus59    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
Apparently I am in the minority, but this is one of my favorite songs.  Both versions.

 
Me too!
Posted 8 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Nik Kershaw is the sort of performer that I disliked in the 1980's and 1990's but actually when you listen to this song in it's acoustic guise with an objective mind... it is somebody who wrote a catchy tune, has reasonably meaningful lyrics, he can sing and I presume that is him playing the guitar.  Actually I would be happy to have achieved any one of those things :)

 
Audiences, such as yourself at the time, thought critics had overrated Nik Kershaw. In retrospect, we were wrong; the critics were right. Nik was an under-appreciated talent that we never knew and wish we had.
Posted 8 years ago by impediguy    [ Reply ]
Nik Kershaw is the sort of performer that I disliked in the 1980's and 1990's but actually when you listen to this song in it's acoustic guise with an objective mind... it is somebody who wrote a catchy tune, has reasonably meaningful lyrics, he can sing and I presume that is him playing the guitar.  Actually I would be happy to have achieved any one of those things :)
Posted 8 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
I love both versions of this song. More of it please :)
Posted 8 years ago by AskAlice    [ Reply ]
Me too! But I'd prefer the "classic" version.
Posted 8 years ago by rgabriel    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
Apparently I am in the minority, but this is one of my favorite songs.  Both versions.

 
Add my name to that minority.  I like this song. 
Posted 8 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
woldn't it be good if this song had never been performed?
Posted 8 years ago by greiffenstein    [ Reply ]
Apparently I am in the minority, but this is one of my favorite songs.  Both versions.
Posted 8 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Bit better than the original, very-80s hit version, but still only passable...
Interesting but I only want to hear it about once every six months... and a bit too long, lost interest by the time I had finished writing this.
Posted 8 years ago by DavidS_UK    [ Reply ]
 EssexTex wrote:
Wouldn't it be good if this wasn't played again.
 

Yehaa never ever, soooooo baaaad
Posted 15 years ago by higado    [ Reply ]
 trekhead wrote:
He gets a real Stevie Wonder thing going there, especially in this version.

7, overall.
 
Oops, backscrolled....I see someone else DID hear a little bit of Stevie!

Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
vapid & irritating{#Arghhh}
Posted 15 years ago by purplespider    [ Reply ]
Does anyone else hear a little Stevie Wonder in the vocals?
Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Even though RP is defined by undefinable eclecticism...., this song still does not fit the mold.  Too poppy..., and he admits it himself..., He has it bad...
This was a very frustrating song to listen too.{#Doh}
Posted 15 years ago by awebber27    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of something off the Dan Fogelberg Greatest Hits Album.  Uggg.

Posted 15 years ago by walchenbach    [ Reply ]
The lexical description of Sucko-Barfo.
Posted 15 years ago by rtwingo    [ Reply ]
Holy weird chords, Batman. This one is hard to learn.
Posted 15 years ago by Bosonator    [ Reply ]
He gets a real Stevie Wonder thing going there, especially in this version.

7, overall.
Posted 15 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Totally different flavor than the original, but I still love it.
Posted 15 years ago by TJS    [ Reply ]
my god.  this floored me.  I had never heard this version.  what a great surprise for a rainy sunday.
Posted 15 years ago by ndad47    [ Reply ]
 jcjoh wrote:
Not nearly as good as original. Acoustic hardly ever is.
 

Oh, I think acoustic is almost always better.  {#Yes}
Posted 15 years ago by joan_c    [ Reply ]
 EssexTex wrote:
Wouldn't it be good if this wasn't played again.
 
Why would it be good if it wasn't played again?  You haven't given any constructive criticism; this is a quite interesting tune, and comes over well acoustically.  I'm not a fan of Nik Kershaw, but really - be fair!  This acoustic version is well played, and very pleasant,

Posted 15 years ago by ClaireWild    [ Reply ]
Wouldn't it be good if this wasn't played again.
Posted 15 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Wasn't this on the Pretty In Pink soundtrack? By Danny Hutton Hitters? But this is a good version.
Posted 15 years ago by squidish    [ Reply ]
Are you kidding with this ? I prefer.."wouldn't it be nice to hit you with your shoe....
Posted 15 years ago by Chazar    [ Reply ]
Trite lyrics.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
Not nearly as good as original. Acoustic hardly ever is.
Posted 15 years ago by jcjoh    [ Reply ]
fantomas wrote:
POP SINGERS SUCKS, MORE MOZART MINUS BORED GUYS WITH UGLY HATS
At least TRY to make your opinion considered and meaningful...
Posted 16 years ago by garthwb    [ Reply ]
POP SINGERS SUCKS, MORE MOZART MINUS BORED GUYS WITH UGLY HATS
Posted 16 years ago by fantomas    [ Reply ]
Wow! That was excellent! Without a doubt my favorite Nik Kershaw tune, and that was an excellent version!
Posted 16 years ago by nelamvr6    [ Reply ]
Ok - and I'm all about acoustic music - but I like the original better. Would probably be better with some harmony vocals.
Posted 16 years ago by jennywho    [ Reply ]
kinda whiney
Posted 16 years ago by cirruss    [ Reply ]
Boosiewolf wrote:
Whoa! Where did THIS version come from?? *sings high harmony with Nik*
I dig this a lot (8). Quite nice--I like it better than the original. That doesn't happen very often.
Posted 16 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
Whoa! Where did THIS version come from?? *sings high harmony with Nik*
Posted 16 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
bcorcoran wrote:
It's too... too... Blessed Union of Souls-ish. Yuck.
your a fucking idiot mate
Posted 16 years ago by edellison    [ Reply ]
Hm, this song is absolutely _nothing_ without the typical 80's-style of music and instruments.
Posted 16 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
It\'s too... too... Blessed Union of Souls-ish. Yuck.
Posted 16 years ago by bcorcoran    [ Reply ]
Oh man, I\'ve never heard this and it just makes me desperately long for the original. That\'s one of my favorite songs of the very wacky and prolific early 80\'s.
Posted 16 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
fretman wrote:
How can this be acoustic when its transmitted through the internet? How can this be digital if its heard by man analog ears? Well, where is my beautiful wife? Where's my big new car? Same as it ever was...
God, you're deep!
Posted 16 years ago by Monkeysdad    [ Reply ]
It's pretty forgettable, either way
Posted 16 years ago by Johnny_Wave    [ Reply ]
How can this be acoustic when its transmitted through the internet? How can this be digital if its heard by man analog ears? Well, where is my beautiful wife? Where's my big new car? Same as it ever was...
Posted 16 years ago by fretman    [ Reply ]
How can this be an "acoustic" version when he's using an electronic drum machine?
Posted 16 years ago by sirrus    [ Reply ]
He released two albums fairly recently, then swore off of releasing them due to lack of good reception. There were a few really good songs on them though, in my opinion. I will be uploading some of them soon. It looks as though there might be a few new songs in the works for a new "greatest Hits" type release. He also swore he'd never be a part of a 80's concert tour, but now it looks like he broke down. He prolly needs some money. https://www.nikkershaw.net/
Posted 19 years ago by noyou    [ Reply ]
francesdcuk wrote:
Yep, the original was better. I have to say I never thought I would hear the song again at all - whatever happened to Nik?
Double suck, how did it get on RP?
Posted 20 years ago by renfaire66    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by francesdcuk: Yep, the original was better. I have to say I never thought I would hear the song again at all - whatever happened to Nik?
He slipped into obscurity where he belongs.
Posted 20 years ago by eric    [ Reply ]
the acoustic version is way better than the electronic :)
Posted 20 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
The lyrics miss for me. Yeah, this song sucks
Posted 20 years ago by ianguy    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Johray63: Knowing the original version, this, funny enough, sounds like a pre-production of that one.
LOL. Exactly what I was about to say. The original was better. This one is OK. Set list in general this morning has been a solid OK.
Posted 20 years ago by bakedjake    [ Reply ]
I miss the swingin\' horns from the original.
Posted 20 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
Knowing the original version, this, funny enough, sounds like a pre-production of that one. A lot less catchy, though I like the more intimate atmosphere.
Posted 21 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
This is the kind of song that depending on my mood it could really annoy me, or I could dig it. Right now, I\'m really digging it!
Posted 21 years ago by zaphodb    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by deneb: A version I've never heard of an old favorite of mine. Oooooo!
Ditto!
Posted 21 years ago by jm    [ Reply ]
a good song made better by a slower, less \"studioed\" treatment then is normally the case...where do you guys keep finding all this great stuff?
Posted 21 years ago by BLADERUNNER    [ Reply ]
Yuck.
Posted 21 years ago by Enrique    [ Reply ]
A version I\'ve never heard of an old favorite of mine. Oooooo!
Posted 21 years ago by deneb    [ Reply ]
It\'s hard to say which one I prefer, but my one of my personal benchmarks of a decent pop song is when you can play it without a studio set up and full band and it still sounds good. This one qualifies for me.
Posted 21 years ago by percolator    [ Reply ]
Very nice - I also like the original studio version. But I really enjoy hearing how the artist plays his song in it\'s simple/basic form... as in when he was composing it.
Posted 21 years ago by phorp    [ Reply ]
Seems like we\'re having a Nik Kershaw revival on this station. This is the third song of his I\'ve heard in the last couple of months. Nice to rediscover a really fun musician.
Posted 21 years ago by RParadise    [ Reply ]
I think that part of what I liked about the original was what was done with (to?) it in the studio. Whatever message this song has needs more than \'the acoustic treatment\' to work.
Posted 21 years ago by catsoup    [ Reply ]