Wouldn’t It Be Good? Universal U.K. Expands Nik Kershaw’s Debut LP

A pleasant surprise is coming from Universal’s catalogue arm across the pond: an expanded edition of Nik Kershaw’s excellent debut album Human Racing.

Released in 1984, Human Racing gave the young Bristol-born, Suffolk-raised guitarist a big break after years of jobbing in local bands. Aided by a set of teen magazine-ready good looks and an ear for intricately arranged, vaguely theatrical pop tunes, the second single from Human Racing, the excellent “Wouldn’t It Be Good,” became a Top 5 smash in Europe. Upon a second issue, debut single “I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” became his biggest hit, peaking at No. 2 in England. His arty videography – who could forget the chroma-key suit he wore in the “Wouldn’t It Be Good” clip? – helped his repertoire make a moderate dent in the American charts, though amazingly, none of his works broke the Top 40 in the States. (His success would continue in the U.K. through the ’80s and ’90s, though, with another smash hit with sophomore album The Riddle, a performance at London’s Wembley Stadium during Live Aid in 1985 and successful collaborations with The Hollies, Chesney Hawkes and Elton John.)

As was customary for a British pop act with many singles, there were plenty of B-sides and dance mixes from the start of Kershaw’s career. (Many of these were outlined in a somewhat prescient Reissue Theory post from July of 2010!) This expanded edition of the album features a bonus disc with 12 bonus tracks, including an unreleased remix of album cut “Bogart,” and will feature new liner notes from Kershaw himself. (The artist took to Twitter recently to praise the quality of the new remastering as well, calling it “FAB-U-LOUS!”)

This new set is out in the U.K. on February 20. Hit the jump to see the track list (courtesy of Play.com) and place your order on Amazon U.K.!

Nik Kershaw, Human Racing: Deluxe Edition (Universal U.K., 2012)

Disc 1: Original LP (released as MCA MCF 3197 (U.K.)/39020 (U.S.), 1984)

1. Dancing Girls
2. Wouldn’t It Be Good
3. Drum Talk
4. Bogart
5. Gone to Pieces
6. Shame on You
7. Cloak and Dagger
8. Faces
9. I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me
10. Human Racing

Disc 2: B-sides and 12″ mixes

1. Dancing Girls (Special Hi-Energy Remix) (12″ A-side – MCA NIKT 3, 1984)
2. Bogart (Extended 12″ Remix) (previously unreleased)
3. Monkey Business (B-side to “Wouldn’t It Be Good” – MCA NIK 2, 1984)
4. Shame on You (Remix) (12″ B-side to “Wide Boy” – MCA NIKT 7, 1985)
5. Drum Talk (Special Hi-Energy Remix) (12″ B-side – MCA NIKT 3, 1984)
6. Faces (Simon Boswell Remix) (B-side to “Human Racing” – MCA NIK 5, 1984)
7. Dark Glasses (B-side to “I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” – MCA NIK 4, 1984)
8. Wouldn’t It Be Good (Special Extended Mix) (12″ A-side – MCA NIKT 2, 1984)
9. Human Racing (Simon Boswell Remix) (12″ A-side – MCA NIKT 5, 1984)
10. She Cries (B-side to “Dancing Girls” – MCA NIK 3, 1984)
11. I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Simon Boswell Remix) (12″ A-side – MCA NIKT 4, 1984)
12. Cloak and Dagger (live at Hammersmith Odeon, 1984) (B-side to “Human Racing” – MCA NIKD 5, 1984)