z-index, link workaround

I have the following

<li id="tags"><h1>Tags</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="#">Tag 1</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Tag 2</a></li>
</ul>
</li>

The h1 has a background png image that I put in z-index 1
the a tag has also a background image.

My problem is that although it looks fine the link does not work.

Is there a workaround to this problem. I understand that the h1 tag goes above the li and a tag. But is there a way to make it look good and the link to keep working?

Thank you for your time.