Nobody Knows (Nik Kershaw song)

"Nobody Knows" is a song by the English singer-songwriter Nik Kershaw. It was released as the lead single from his third studio album Radio Musicola (1986). The release was Kershaw's tenth single, and features the non-album track, "One of Our Fruit Machines Is Missing", as its B-side.

"Nobody Knows"
Cover of the Nobody Knows 7" Single
Single by Nik Kershaw
from the album Radio Musicola
B-side"One of Our Fruit Machines Is Missing"
Released29 September 1986 (1986-09-29)[1]
Genre
Length
  • 4:21 (album version)
  • 4:16 (single version)
  • 7:29 (extended version)
LabelMCA
Songwriter(s)Nik Kershaw
Producer(s)Nik Kershaw
Nik Kershaw singles chronology
"When a Heart Beats"
(1985)
"Nobody Knows"
(1986)
"Radio Musicola"
(1986)
Music video
"Nobody Knows" on YouTube

Background

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The single reached No. 44 on the UK Singles Chart in 1986, which marked the beginning of a downturn in Kershaw's fortunes on the single charts. It also meant that it was the first time that a Kershaw single failed to make the top 40 since his first single, "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", in 1983.[2]

Writing

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The song's lyrics refer to tabloid journalism, the paparazzi, and the public's right to know intimate details of celebrities' lives.

Release

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The single was released in the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Italy, and France.[3] The B-side for the single "One of Our Fruit Machines Is Missing" was exclusive to the single, written and produced solely by Kershaw. It has only been released on the compilation album The Best of Nik Kershaw (1993) since, which also featured the extended 12" mix of "Nobody Knows".

Track listing

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7" single (MCA NIK 10)[4]
A. "Nobody Knows" – 4:18
B. "One of Our Fruit Machines Is Missing (Instrumental)" – 3:38

12" single (MCA NIKT 10)[5]
A. "Nobody Knows" (Extended Mix) – 7:29
B1. "One of Our Fruit Machines Is Missing (Instrumental)" – 3:38
B2. "Nobody Knows" – 4:18

Personnel

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Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[6]

Charts

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Chart (1986) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 44
Australian Singles Chart 73
Irish Singles Chart 20
Japanese Singles Chart 2

References

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  1. ^ Smith, Robin (20 September 1986). "News Digest". Record Mirror. p. 42.
  2. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 299. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. ^ "Nik Kershaw - Nobody Knows".
  4. ^ Nik Kershaw (1986). Nobody Knows (liner notes). MCA. NIK 10.
  5. ^ Nik Kershaw (1986). Nobody Knows (liner notes). MCA. NIKT 10.
  6. ^ Radio Musicola liner notes. MCA Records. 1986.
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