: The song defies standard pop structures with wild chord progressions, including a move to a minor chord over an augmented sixth degree ( ) that disrupts the feeling of tonality.
: The track constantly moves through different keys (such as ) to create its "blurry" and mysterious atmosphere. The Meaning of "The Riddle" Nik Kershaw's The Riddle is... actually insane Nik Kershaw - The Riddle (2020 Remix)
A major contributor to the 2020 interest was a viral music theory breakdown titled , published in September 2020. This analysis highlights: : The song defies standard pop structures with
: A notable melodic/techno cover remix released in June 2020. actually insane A major contributor to the 2020
: Many modern remixes from 2020 onwards continue to draw inspiration from the 1999 Gigi D’Agostino dance version rather than the original 1984 pop track.
: Official versions of "The Riddle" often appear on "Expanded" or "Deluxe" editions, such as the 2CD set which includes the Extended Riddle (5:08). Musical Analysis: "Actually Insane"