This is one of my favorite songs ever. I was and still am profoundly touched by this masterful composition. The lyrics have on occasion moved me to tears and the melody is so unique in its “Simple Complexity.”
Nik Kershaw is a profoundly prolific and prodigious song writer. Unfortunately, in my opinion, Nik got screwed over by the Press who pigeon holed him as a Pre-Teen, Teeny Bopper POP IDOL. Highly unjustified in my opinion. His melodic progressions and complex yet beautifully rendered melodies were absolutely astounding and thought provoking. I have often called him the Mozart of Pop/Rock.
Back in the late 90’s, I was working with a singer named Brian McDonald from Scotland and sent some of the songs I wrote with Brian to Nik’s manager at the time. If my memory serves me well, I think his name was Mickey. Nik was interested in producing Brian if we used one or two of Nik’s songs on the album. Unfortunately Brian’s ego got the better of him and refused. Bad move Brian. Oh… And then there was the Peter Murray, classic record label horror story that I won’t get in to here. I will perhaps in my memoirs.
Here is a rough Keyboard and Voice demo called “Temporary Carnival” sung by Brian McDonald
Temporary Carnival (Lyrics © Brian McDonald, Music © Benjamin Kanarek)
Here is a recent concert of his classic Hit “Wouldn’t it be Good” and the original Video…
you don’t know how bad i got it
you got it easy
you don’t know when you 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 fibre
my broken spirit is frozen to the core
don’t wanna be here no morewouldn’t it be good to be in your shoes
even if it was for just one day
and 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 cold 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 it were you
i got it harder
you couldn’t dream how hard it 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
don’t wanna be here no more
wouldn’t it be good to be in your shoes
even if it was just for one day
and 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
and wouldn’t it be good if we could live without a care”
Live Version from the Ritz
The Acoustic Version from the “Good Acoustic Tour” 2009