The Riddle by Nik Kershaw Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Enigma of an 80s Classic
Lyrics
Blessings of babylon
Time to carry on and try
For sins and false alarms
So to america the brave
Wise men save
Near a tree by a river
There’s a hole in the ground
Where an old man of aran
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
I got plans for us
Nights in the scullery
And days instead of me
I only know what to discuss
Oh, for anything but light
Wise men fighting over you
It’s not me you see
Pieces of valentine and just a song of mine
To keep from burning history
Seasons of gasoline and gold
Wise men fold
Near a tree by a river
There’s a hole in the ground
Where an old man of aran
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
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 men’s child
Near a tree by a river
There’s a hole in the ground
Where an old man of aran 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
Near a tree by a river
There’s a hole in the ground
Where an old man of aran 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
No he’ll never, never fight over you
In the pantheon of 80s music, Nik Kershaw’s ‘The Riddle’ holds a place of distinction—not for its chart-topping influence, but for its perplexing lyrical labyrinth that has listeners musing over its meaning for decades. A melody laced with enigmatic verses and an irresistibly catchy chorus, the song is a testament to Kershaw’s songwriting prowess and his ability to engage the minds of his audience.
Released in 1984, ‘The Riddle’ presents a collage of imageries and references that have eluded concrete interpretation. The cryptic song title beckons a quest for understanding as fans and critics alike continue to debate the essence of its storytelling. Lending itself to multiple interpretations, the song has cultivated a legacy as an alluring conundrum in Kershaw’s catalogue.
A Sphinx-like Lyricism: Delving into Kershaw’s Verbal Labyrinth
What makes ‘The Riddle’ a subject of fascination is its labyrinthine lyricism that dances between the literal and the metaphorical. Kershaw’s use of vivid imageries like a ‘tree by a river’ and ‘a hole in the ground’ paints a picture that is both specific and bewildering—inviting listeners to find their own path through its meaning.
Moreover, the mention of the ‘old man of aran’ and his endless circling around suggests a Sisyphean struggle or an eternal search for wisdom. Such lines play with the listeners’ imagination, prompting an inquiry into the mystical and the mundane aspects of human existence.
Metaphors and Madness: A Glimpse into The Riddle’s Hidden Layers
While on the surface, ‘The Riddle’ may seem to tell a tale of mysterious characters and scenes, the song’s covert layers lie hidden under its allegorical cloak. Kershaw invites his audience into an introspective journey, questioning the notions of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, and the philosophical ‘fight over you’.
The lyrics weave a tapestry that suggests a confrontation with internal conflicts and the existential dilemmas that accompany the human condition. These undercurrents resonate with the song’s contemplative mood, offering depth beyond the initial veil of mystery.
Passages of Time and Symbols of Life in Kershaw’s Oeuvre
The passage of time and the cycles of life are recurring motifs in ‘The Riddle’. ‘Got time to kill,’ ‘Seasons of gasoline and gold,’ and the cyclical journey of the old man are potent metaphors for the phases of life and the transitory nature of existence.
Kershaw’s juxtaposition of ‘sly looks in corridors’ and ‘a blackbird sings on bluebird hill’ reflects the complexity of human experiences, capturing the essence of life’s unpredictability and the myriad pathways that one traverses.
The Indelible Chorus: A Contradiction that Captivates
Impossible to ignore, the chorus of ‘The Riddle’ is where its enigmatic heart beats strongest. The imagery of the tree, the river, and the hole in the ground recur as meditative drones throughout the song, leaving an indelible mark on the listener’s psyche.
This repetition serves as a contrapuntal force to the swirling verses, creating a musical and thematic balance that holds the contrasting elements in a harmonious tension. The chorus remains one of the most memorable and mystifying elements of ‘The Riddle’, etching it into the annals of 80s music history.
Solving The Riddle: Seeking Meanings in Memorable Lines
At the core of the intrigue, seeking a definitive meaning in ‘The Riddle’ may be as elusive as the puzzle itself. Kershaw’s wistful reference to ‘pieces of valentine’ and a ‘song of mine to keep from burning history’ is a testament to the power of narrative and song to transcend time.
Fans have often wondered if these enigmatic phrases contain the key to ‘The Riddle’. Yet, the beauty of the song lies in its resistance to easy interpretation. Each listen can unravel a new interpretation, making ‘The Riddle’ a perpetually renewable quest for meaning in the music of Nik Kershaw.
