I've been kind of noticing how most of the 80's music videos end with people going off into the sunset or sunrise. It just looks so nice and peaceful, it makes me even more nostalgic of that era.
Early 80's MTV was awesome, me being 9/10 through 18/19 years old, no job or responsibility, living at home, the channel was set to MTV all day! Seeing video premieres and going to school the next day to talk about it!
Ahh, Boy George and Culture Club. There was a time in the early days of MTV where you couldn't go an hour without getting a Culture Club video! Between 1982 and 1984, they rattled off SIX top ten hits in a row... "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", "Time", "I'll Tumble 4 Ya", "Church of the Poisoned Mind", "Miss Me Blind", and, of course, "Karma Chameleon" (their only #1 in the US and easily their most famous and long-lasting hit). Thanks for choosing this one!
Boy George is a massive bowie fan and has a tattoo David Bowie alter ego Ziggy Stardust and credits Bowie and one of his greatest music influences ever. This song is 38years old and Boy George was 22 when he released this. He has just celebrated his 60th Birthday and he still looks amazing. Doesn't look 60 thats for sure.
Victims is my all time favourite song by culture club, it really shows off a completely different side of Boy George voice. Also Miracle is another great song.
Boy George was front and centre in Band Aid too, I'd hesitate to say he was the biggest star of the time on Do they know it's Christmas, maybe alongside Simon Le Bon. Bono and George Michael were still on the climb. Though in much the same way as Queen stole the show at Live Aid, Bono probably stole the show on Band Aid. (Sting almost being an elder statesman!)
I was a senior in high school (in suburban Texas) when this came out. We didn't have cable, but saw Do You Really Want to Hurt Me on some syndicated afternoon show that played music videos. Boy George was the talk of the school the next day - no one new what to make of him or his music.
George is an absolute legend. Back in the 80’s the UK was a *nasty* place to be if you were young and gay. George gave me and tens of thousands like me a positive, in your face, out and proud role model. I’ve seen him live many times at club gigs and Gay Pride - and he sings like an angel.
It's also about showing one side of your self to a lover and showing a different side to everyone else remember a chameleon shows different colors at different times
Really.... Woooow!!! I was not aware they were mean 2 the gays in the UK. shhhaaaame on them !!! SMDH !!! I actually thought they were open then the US .
This was early 80's and Boy George's look was super edgy and controversial for the time. I never knew what the lyrics meant, but this song would fill a dance floor for sure.
Boy George was very much a chameleon...a man, gay but looking very much like a female. His colourful dreams carry colour from the PRIDE flag. I also think he was recently "out" when they hit the big time. As for karma...what goes around comes around???
The song is about the on and off relationship with his boyfriend. Most of his songs were about that relationship... Or his next relationship. Boy George was incredibly brave to come out so openly. In England it was no big deal but in the U.S. it still was.
Being out wasn't that big a deal in the UK, but his in-your-face 'gender-bending' image was something new and attracted it's fair share of both praise and flak.
"Every day is like survival, you're my lover, not my rival" is one of the great lyrics of a generation. Culture Club had a ton of songs and owned the world for a few hot minutes.
I was in college at this time, and there were students who idolized Boy George and took on his look, dressing up like him and wearing similar makeup etc. Duran Duran too.
In an interview, Culture Club frontman Boy George explained: "The song is about the terrible fear of alienation that people have, the fear of standing up for one thing. It's about trying to suck up to everybody. Basically, if you aren't true, if you don't act like you feel, then you get Karma-justice, that's nature's way of paying you back."
@Wilt Chamberlain is the GOAT and I was pretty sure that this had something to do with being transgender and changing your mind about who you are and what you are but good to know what it was about and sounds traumatic for the woman involved if you ask me
so very true. 60/70/80 music is pure gold. The music the kids grow up with nowadays lacks creativity in my opinion. Everything is made with the same pattern. I dont say there is not great music nowadays. There is.. just usually not on the radio. And you need to search for a long, long time if you want to find a gem.
A chameleon is someone who pretends to be something they aren’t to make others like them but eventually Karma will expose you for what you really are just like the sneaky thief was exposed in the video
Boy George's autobiography: "Take It Like A Man". So out. So proud. I remember his interviews on late night talk shows in the 80s. Folks in the US absolutely couldn't comprehend him.
Culture Club was ALL about John. George loved John and EVERYTHING he did was about that. We all just benefitted from his obsession by hearing his sweet, clear voice at his most sincere.
This song is factual of what he was going through at the time. He was a gay man in love with his bisexual bandmate who strung him along because he couldn't decide if he wanted to be with him or a woman. The whole album is about boy George's heartbreak and is actually really deep.
☝️ This. Boy George was in love with the hot one, John, who could not make up his mind about them. This was about wishing karma for the chameleon John, who breaks his heart, and strings him along.
This is Culture Club, which represents peak 1980s British Pop. This is when lyrics could just be poetry without literal meaning. Also, the music videos were about cinematic art, which meant the visual and lyrics aren't necessarily strongly tied together. Great times in the early Mtv era. 😃
Boy George is hilarious too.. he was saying that the first time he was hired to play in the USA, they people only knew him by his voice. They were shocked when he arrived to do the event…hahaha. And here he is years and years later.. still going strong …..
I love him. He penned my favorite tweet of all time several years ago with his response to some harasssers on Twitter, informing us that “All cunts will be cunted off” (his Twitter feed I guess). It still makes me 😂
Great 80s song! Do you really want to hurt me is also another great culture club song too! Boy George (lead singer) is definitely an interesting character! Song meaning: Boy George once explained about the song: "The song is about the terrible fear of alienation that people have, the fear of standing up for one thing. "It's about trying to suck up to everybody. Basically, if you aren't true, if you don't act like you feel, then you get Karma-justice, that's nature's way of paying you back."
Boy George caused a stir when they popped up in the mid 80's. He never EVER apologized for his makeup, cross-dressing, homosexuality, and flamboyance. EVERYBODY loved him. I mean everybody!! He and his music are iconic, and they were a staple of the 80's and 90's!!💗💗💗
My aunt is pretty conservative but she loved Boy George. Once she told me she thought his songs were great and well written because gay men knew heartache.
@@johnow7 I don't think it was ever discussed either back then but I did watch him in an interview many years back he had a partner and I always thought he was anyways.
I love "Time" and "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me". Fantastic songs, even if I wasn't a fan of their music in general. I thought they fit better with Boy George's voice.
Fun Fact: This video was filmed on The River Thames, in England. Culture Club is an English Band. They have some amazing tunes that you should really check out. The lead singer is named Boy George.
Extra fact. The boat is actually called the Elizabethan and was built for Richard Branson. It was built at Thomas Hughan boat builders in Greenwich which is where the intercontinental Hotel car park is next to the O2 arena ..
I think the two of you would absolutely love "Church of the Poison Mind" by Culture Club. One of the most amazing songs. Thanks for doing Karma Chameleon!
Interesting that you had David Bowie yesterday and Culture Club today. This is one of the many bands that were inspired by David Bowie. David Bowie personified "weird" and Boy George, Adam Ant, Spandau Ballet, Human League etc... were all inspired by Bowie to embrace their uniqueness. I am not sure if you have figured out that in the 60's there was a British invasion of music headed up by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Well in the 80''s there was a "new Wave" of British bands that opened the door to *)'s Alternative music. David Bowie would see the acceptance that the received and would make a reemergence in the 80's that you recently explored with Modern Love. .
Nailed it, Marco! 80's definitely had a New Wave invasion of amazing British music.. I'm surprised no one has used that term here before🤪. I know I sure loved discovering my parents' 60's music as I ate up the 80's New Wave when I was a teen❤️ both great eras for music
Thank you so much for doing so many classic songs for your reactions. They make me smile and sometimes bring a couple of tears as I remember friends and family who I enjoyed these songs with who aren't here anymore. A sincere Thanks for making me think of great things from the past😍😁
5:12 the beatles said that once when they got tired of people trying to analyze all the lyrics...Paul McCartney said words to the effect of "it's just a SONG, guys. It's just words we put together because they sounded cool" lmao 🙂
Boy George was *so* different and amazing and edgy and progressive in his style at the time. He was so controversial, but those of us that liked him just...LOVED him. He's still amazing and eccentric and definitely his own person.
"Boy" George O'Dowd is one of the best voices and lyricists of the 1980s. Most of his song lyrics were inspired by his tumultuous, on-again/off-again romantic relationship with the bands drummer Jon Moss. George has struggled a large portion of his life with substance addiction which has led him to many run ins with authorities. Always a strong man George has fought hard to overcome these addictions and, to the best of my knowledge, he has maintained his sobriety since 2012. Culture Club reunited and toured with all four original members until Jon Moss was "temporarily" replaced in 2019 and eventually announced in May of this year that he was severing ties with the band.
It’s about gay love, one of the first songs openly about it. Everyone embraced it knowing about his lifestyle and It was iconic. It also proved to be a pivotal point in accepting a song about love is love. We all loved Boy George and Culture Club. ❤️ They kicked open the door and forced us to discuss it. They were trailblazers.
Isn't it about him and Jon Moss (the drummer)? They were an item for the longest time, but of course, because of the times, they had to keep it low-key.
@@JesusGarcia-cs9wl the song was about his on and off relationship with the drummer. "... You come and go..." the boyfriend would get with him for a while to get his rocks off, than leave for a while.
@@JesusGarcia-cs9wl Elton John wasn't openly gay yet and he didn't write the lyrics to his songs, Bernie Taupin (spelling the name wrong over a momentary brain fart). Elton wrote the melody and music. Taupin wrote the lyrics. Some of Elton's songs were secretly about his male lovers "Daniels Song" isn't really about his brother or Taupin's. It's about a "lover" not a "brother". Sorry to burst your bubble.
Loving Amber’s hair, can our girl get more cute? Don’t think so. The heads bouncing together AWWWW. Jordan and Amber you guys are just too damn adorable.
Now you guys have hit the last of my 80's favorites. Boy George, George Michael, Michael Jackson, and Prince ruled what I listened to during the 80's. I of course enjoyed other people but those 4 acts were my all time favs. I called them my pretty boys. They had the best music and the best looks. Everytime they released something new I was first in line to get it. And the concerts... I can't even explain how special they were. Listen to Time, by Culture Club next. Also try Love is Love fantastic.
@@darren6202 I'm not a detective, dude. And my opinion is like everyone's, in that we all have one. After all this time; just enjoy the music they left behind. Nothing but Love over here.😍😍😍
As a kid my friends and I were all about Duran Duran, Wham!, and Culture Club. I look at these videos the way other people look at family photos. My favorite song of theirs "Time (Clock of the Heart) is my #3 song of all-time. On my deathbed I probably won't remember my name, but I'll remember the lyrics to these songs.
Loved them so much ,I played many of their songs often. May I suggest “ Do you really want hurt me” , Time; clock of the heart” I’ll tumble 4 ya” and “ Miss me blind”. Which one you choose will be great .
I was nuts about Culture Club when they first came out. Anything “different “ really got me. Still love them! It’s just a fun song from ‘83.Probably my favorite is “Victims”. Super deep ballad. George has a beautiful voice!
"Do you really want to hurt me" is a far better song to react to from culture culture club. It's not upbeat but Boy George's vocal range is on display in it. Way better song, and the message behind it 👌
I remember we and the kids sat watching them for the first time on Top of the Pops and we were trying to guess whether he was male or female but we loved the music
Red, Green and Gold in the faith of RasTafari. Red - signifies the blood of those killed for the cause of the African community, throughout history. Gold - signifies the vast wealth and riches which belong to the African continent. Green - signifies the lushness and hope of the Earth namely that of the Promised Land of Ethiopia
Thanx a bunch for that, i never knew what it was about and woudln't have thought to look it up... There were a whole lot of really good lyrics in songs back then.
Culture Club's songs had very oblique lyrics, mostly to disguise the fact that many of the songs were about Boy George's relationship with the drummer Jon Moss. I recommend reading George's autobiography, "Take It Like A Man"
Let me tell you something I been to a lot of concerts in my day and Culture Club came to San Antonio Texas during the 80s and they put on the best concert I have ever been to. Love them. They are from the UK 🇬🇧 👍🏽🙌🏽
This is one of the iconic songs of the 1980s. I look forward to the day you react to the biggest band of the 1980s…U2…With or Without You, One, Pride (In the Name of Love), and Desire.
Think this song is about being gay and in love with someone who can't be secure enough to be "out" about being in a relationship. His lover is open in their friend set but their love is hidden to the rest of society as his love can't make the move to make singer's dreams reality. I have never understood "red, gold and green"
Culture Club, "Love is love", is another good one. Boy George wrote most of the band's lyrics, and many of his words were inspired by his relationship with the group's drummer, Jon Moss.Their difficult romantic/professional relationship was also the inspiration for the line: "You're my lover, not my rival" in 'Karma Chameleon'.
In the early 1980s, Culture Club and Duran Duran were two of the hottest new music acts coming out of England. They played a part of what was called the "Second British Invasion" of pop music. This song is their only #1 hit in America on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the early winter of 1984. This song is one of 10 Top 40 hits that Culture Club put on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
It was almost as much fun watching his fashion changes over the years as it was to listen his music. Man, that boy had a flair for unique. Always "out there" but cool as hell!
At the time I thought Boy George was really strange but I did enjoy the music. My, how times change. He could now walk down the street and no one would give him a second glance. 😂😂😂Cheers, Steve
Still rooting for Etta james, At Last. Would love for you all to send to a little more country, especially from the '90s and back. Brooks and Dunn, My Maria is absolutely gorgeous and the falsettos are amazing! Maybe you could have a day where you play a few country hits, or maybe once or twice a week with other types of music. I love so many genres of music, so throw a little more country in the mix. Love y'all! You are a highlight of my day.
Yes! love all your suggestions. Although I am fairly sure J and Amber have heard Etta James "At Last"...I mean - who hasn't! But it would be interesting to see them react to it.
I didn't pay attention to the lyrics when I hit the dance floor and sang along with everyone on that catchy chorus. However, I decided to try to figure them out when I got older. The first two verses (plus the chorus) give us a clue: There's a loving in your eyes all the way If I listen to your lies, would you say I'm a man (a man) without conviction I'm a man (a man) who doesn't know How to sell (to sell) a contradiction You come and go, you come and go Karma, karma, karma, karma, karma chameleon You come and go, you come and go Loving would be easy if your colors were like my dreams Red, gold, and green, red, gold, and green ... When we cling (we cling), our love is strong When you go (you go), you're gone forever You string along, you string along HERE'S HOW I INTERPRET IT: He's selling a contradiction -- a love that is not constant, a love that is not easy, that is not the way he dreamed love would be. Like karma, this love was meant to be(?), what he deserves(?). Like a chameleon, it constantly changes to fade into whatever situation it finds itself in, it has no conviction, no colors of its own, taking on another's desire(?), becoming what another wants(?), then going away to become something different (for someone else? for another situation?). Of course, I'm still a bit confused and I definitely could be wrong.
I remember when KISS first made it big. Anyone over 40 years old were just beside themselves thinking that the kids of the time were being corrupted by make-up wearing freaks.
Supposedly, George said the song is about being or feeling alienated and how karma comes to those who mistreat people like that. The chameleon changes colors depending on where it's trying to blend it. People tend to change who they are when trying to blend in, but eventually, their true colors come through. The colors - Boy George was into helping others and spreading love across the world, and he was against war. He had an interest in Rastafarian culture and Africa, and those colors = red for the blood of those who died in war and protests, gold for the wealthy ones who could help, and green for the beautiful land they all share. The colors of the flag are connected as one, so since he says "Lovin' would be easy if your colors were like my dreams, red, gold and green", I think he's saying that he dreams of those colors as together and the people being together in peace. One of my all-time favorites by Culture Club is "Black Money". It didn't get much airplay in the US, at least not where I live. Helen Terry sings backup and George once said that Helen could sing him into the ground because she was so good.
One of their hits that tends to get over looked was a beautiful song called 'Victims' Boy Georges voice is so haunting and in the video he looks so beautiful.
The singer, Boy George (George O'Dowd) was a mainstay in London's early new wave/ new romantic scene in the late 70s/ early 80s. I know you guys already reacted to Dead Or Alive; there was always contention between George and Dead Or Alive's singer Pete Burns as to who coped whose flamboyant style. George was an R&B fanatic, so a lot of their best songs followed those stylistic influences, from Motown ("Church Of The Poison Mind"), to Philadelphia soul "(Time (Clock Of The Heart)") to reggae ("Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?") to Burundi ("I'll Tumble 4 Ya"). It was a sharp contrast to the electronic/ synth music that was common with British new wave artists at the time, but it fit right in with the times. And yes, parents freaked out that the male singer looked like a female (just like they freaked about how Annie Lennox of The Eurythmics looked like a male); but again, those were different times. I was 11 at the time, and even back then I refused to see why it was a big deal. They sounded good, and that was my main concern. This whole album ("Colour By Numbers") is non-stop fun.
I love culture club and boy George . He has unique style and a great voice. He had a solo career after culture club. I know because i have seven of his cds.
Culture Club was big in the '80s and the lead singer, Boy George, is one of the greatest characters in Pop history, along with being a very good singer. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," is another huge hit of theirs you should definitely react to.
Boy George and the Culture Club was very different. They're music went from what you just heard as a southern twang, to an Asian sound to regular pop music but all the videos were all fun and they all had a different sound. They capitalized on the 80s
I'm gradually catching up on all your videos & I'm loving that you're just discovering all these groups/singers that are part of my life. Loved Boy George & Culture Club, when we went to the UK Clubs back in the 80's, we danced all night to them & Wham & all the other 80's groups. Try listening to Wham, Duran Duran, Thomson Twins, Wet Wet Wet etc. if you haven't checked them out already.
Love your reactions and the fact that you will take on any artist, any genre in your journey through music! If you want to go somewhere you have probably never been before, let me suggest "The Offbeat of Avenues" by the Manhattan Transfer. I don't want to tell you much about the group or the song but I think you will enjoy and appreciate the talent behind it. Have a great day today and always!
Ah...those lovely '80s...when MTV was actually all about music!!!
The first few years of MTV were amazing! Not the conformist mediocrity it later became.
The Crying Game by Boy George is amazing.
...Good times.😑 Long gone.
I've been kind of noticing how most of the 80's music videos end with people going off into the sunset or sunrise. It just looks so nice and peaceful, it makes me even more nostalgic of that era.
Early 80's MTV was awesome, me being 9/10 through 18/19 years old, no job or responsibility, living at home, the channel was set to MTV all day! Seeing video premieres and going to school the next day to talk about it!
He had the buttery smooth voice of the day.
Ahh, Boy George and Culture Club. There was a time in the early days of MTV where you couldn't go an hour without getting a Culture Club video! Between 1982 and 1984, they rattled off SIX top ten hits in a row... "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", "Time", "I'll Tumble 4 Ya", "Church of the Poisoned Mind", "Miss Me Blind", and, of course, "Karma Chameleon" (their only #1 in the US and easily their most famous and long-lasting hit). Thanks for choosing this one!
Boy George is a massive bowie fan and has a tattoo David Bowie alter ego Ziggy Stardust and credits Bowie and one of his greatest music influences ever. This song is 38years old and Boy George was 22 when he released this. He has just celebrated his 60th Birthday and he still looks amazing. Doesn't look 60 thats for sure.
Makes me want to go watch The Wedding Singer.
Victims is my all time favourite song by culture club, it really shows off a completely different side of Boy George voice. Also Miracle is another great song.
Boy George was front and centre in Band Aid too, I'd hesitate to say he was the biggest star of the time on Do they know it's Christmas, maybe alongside Simon Le Bon. Bono and George Michael were still on the climb. Though in much the same way as Queen stole the show at Live Aid, Bono probably stole the show on Band Aid. (Sting almost being an elder statesman!)
I was a senior in high school (in suburban Texas) when this came out. We didn't have cable, but saw Do You Really Want to Hurt Me on some syndicated afternoon show that played music videos. Boy George was the talk of the school the next day - no one new what to make of him or his music.
George is an absolute legend. Back in the 80’s the UK was a *nasty* place to be if you were young and gay. George gave me and tens of thousands like me a positive, in your face, out and proud role model. I’ve seen him live many times at club gigs and Gay Pride - and he sings like an angel.
It's also about showing one side of your self to a lover and showing a different side to everyone else remember a chameleon shows different colors at different times
Really.... Woooow!!!
I was not aware they were mean 2 the gays in the UK.
shhhaaaame on them !!! SMDH !!!
I actually thought they were open then the US .
@@l.brandehilton7107 the entire world was BRUTAL to gay/queer people to the point they wanted us dead.
This was early 80's and Boy George's look was super edgy and controversial for the time. I never knew what the lyrics meant, but this song would fill a dance floor for sure.
Another one that could be female Friday lol
@@michaelquinn4076 lol, true, and boy George would prolly be honored...
Well he was doing a “ play on words”. Don’t think “ you come and go “was spelled the way it was sung. I’ll let you figure that one out.
@@michaelquinn4076 trying to be funny? It wasn't, simply a stupid comment 🙄
Boy George was very much a chameleon...a man, gay but looking very much like a female. His colourful dreams carry colour from the PRIDE flag. I also think he was recently "out" when they hit the big time. As for karma...what goes around comes around???
The song is about the on and off relationship with his boyfriend. Most of his songs were about that relationship... Or his next relationship. Boy George was incredibly brave to come out so openly. In England it was no big deal but in the U.S. it still was.
That boyfriend is also the drummer in the band.
@@samkershaw8474 Yup. I left that information open...
Being out wasn't that big a deal in the UK, but his in-your-face 'gender-bending' image was something new and attracted it's fair share of both praise and flak.
Which makes "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?" so poignant once you know.
@@MrHws5mp Pride, baby, Pride.
Church Of The Poisoned Mind, Time Clock Of The Heart, Miss Me Blind, I'll Tumble For You, Miracles are a must to listen to!
...and "The War Song", one of their best.
@@jeffmalone5557 Yes! "The War Song" is always overlooked and it's great!
Also "Victims"
@@jeffmalone5557 Yes! Most definitely. I should have mentioned it along with Black Money.
I loved "Move Away" too!
Big time hits
"Every day is like survival, you're my lover, not my rival" is one of the great lyrics of a generation. Culture Club had a ton of songs and owned the world for a few hot minutes.
Boy George, lead singer of Culure Club, was really big during the 80s. You'd have to be there to understand .
I was in college at this time, and there were students who idolized Boy George and took on his look, dressing up like him and wearing similar makeup etc. Duran Duran too.
I hit the like button before you even started! You simply cannot dislike Culture Club with Boy George!
True! Everyone in the 80s loved Boy George! :)
Facts ❤❤❤
Yeah, Culture Club, Boy George's voice, _Karma Chameleon_ and the Rob Squad enjoying it - can't fail to be a like!
In an interview, Culture Club frontman Boy George explained: "The song is about the terrible fear of alienation that people have, the fear of standing up for one thing. It's about trying to suck up to everybody. Basically, if you aren't true, if you don't act like you feel, then you get Karma-justice, that's nature's way of paying you back."
I’ve heard it was about his former lover the bass player. They broke up ….listen to the lyrics, it makes sense he’s talking about then.
@Wilt Chamberlain is the GOAT and I was pretty sure that this had something to do with being transgender and changing your mind about who you are and what you are but good to know what it was about and sounds traumatic for the woman involved if you ask me
@@angelarasmussen1800 Did you mean bi or trans? Because neither are a choice that you can "change your mind about" Just throwing that out there.
I love this meaning
"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" gives you another side of Culture Club. Definite vibe during the 80s
Yeah .. 1870 the break up with his ex boyfriend kirk brandon
Growing up in the 80s has its advantages. We had a lot of great music.
so very true. 60/70/80 music is pure gold. The music the kids grow up with nowadays lacks creativity in my opinion. Everything is made with the same pattern. I dont say there is not great music nowadays. There is.. just usually not on the radio. And you need to search for a long, long time if you want to find a gem.
I have so many fond memories of mtv and music growing up in the 80s and 90s.
My 14 year old agrees, the 80s were the epitome of musical excellence.
BOY GEORGE...
"Do You Really Want Too
Hurt Me"
Great VIDEO 👍👏👏
A chameleon is someone who pretends to be something they aren’t to make others like them but eventually Karma will expose you for what you really are just like the sneaky thief was exposed in the video
Bingo
You got that right
You got that right
RVZ from Lynyrd Skynyrd
Perfect summary!!! Thanks!!!
Yep! This ^
Boy George's autobiography: "Take It Like A Man". So out. So proud. I remember his interviews on late night talk shows in the 80s. Folks in the US absolutely couldn't comprehend him.
The lead singer of Culture Club (Boy George) is an Absolute Icon and still performs today.
I’ve seen him DJ a few times.
He is also a judge/mentor on the VOICE Australia
Icon is a huge stretch.
I was told he was a boxer prior to his musical career?
Kind of threw me back!
@@warbaby5490 Read his autobiography, I don't remember that.
Culture Club was ALL about John. George loved John and EVERYTHING he did was about that. We all just benefitted from his obsession by hearing his sweet, clear voice at his most sincere.
This song & "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" are absolute bangers!!!
It's the only song he knows
@@backgroundmusik Me? LOL I know pretty much every song that was ever a hit from 1955 & beyond. No one knows more about hit music than me.
@@BillGraper it's from the wedding singer. Not a direct quote though.
@@backgroundmusik Ah. Never seen the movie. 🙂
@@BillGraper You know music? Give me “Agent Double 0-Soul” by Edwin Starr.
This song is factual of what he was going through at the time. He was a gay man in love with his bisexual bandmate who strung him along because he couldn't decide if he wanted to be with him or a woman. The whole album is about boy George's heartbreak and is actually really deep.
☝️ This. Boy George was in love with the hot one, John, who could not make up his mind about them. This was about wishing karma for the chameleon John, who breaks his heart, and strings him along.
Did they remain bandmates?@@swtp32
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me was Boy George's best song ....he is still going by the way. This song is the 38th biggest selling single in the World.
UK
This is Culture Club, which represents peak 1980s British Pop. This is when lyrics could just be poetry without literal meaning. Also, the music videos were about cinematic art, which meant the visual and lyrics aren't necessarily strongly tied together. Great times in the early Mtv era. 😃
This was on MTV every hour of the day!! 🤘🔥
He is and was very unique for us back in the early 80s. Culture Club is synonymous with the 80s, for sure.
Boy George is hilarious too.. he was saying that the first time he was hired to play in the USA, they people only knew him by his voice. They were shocked when he arrived to do the event…hahaha.
And here he is years and years later.. still going strong …..
Remember him guest starring in the A Team.
I think he shed his demons that plagued him, the drugs etc. I'm glad.
I love him. He penned my favorite tweet of all time several years ago with his response to some harasssers on Twitter, informing us that “All cunts will be cunted off” (his Twitter feed I guess). It still makes me 😂
The Boy has such an incredible persona and vibe. One of a kind.
Great 80s song! Do you really want to hurt me is also another great culture club song too! Boy George (lead singer) is definitely an interesting character!
Song meaning: Boy George once explained about the song: "The song is about the terrible fear of alienation that people have, the fear of standing up for one thing.
"It's about trying to suck up to everybody. Basically, if you aren't true, if you don't act like you feel, then you get Karma-justice, that's nature's way of paying you back."
"Victims"is another must by Culture Club, thanks for getting around to reviewing them.
Boy George caused a stir when they popped up in the mid 80's. He never EVER apologized for his makeup, cross-dressing, homosexuality, and flamboyance. EVERYBODY loved him. I mean everybody!! He and his music are iconic, and they were a staple of the 80's and 90's!!💗💗💗
Early 80’s, not mid… 82 was their first release
You just discribed it really well ! I was just a kid back then, my older sister loved it.
My aunt is pretty conservative but she loved Boy George. Once she told me she thought his songs were great and well written because gay men knew heartache.
There was never anything to apologise for! With George what you see is what you get it isjust who he is.
Staple of the 80s yes not really 90s.
I think Culture Clubs “Time” clock of the heart would be something Amber would like. Underrated and has an R&B tone and sway with it.
This was the 80s, and everyone loved him. I remember everyone dressing up exactly like Boy George!!! No one judged him they loved his difference,,,
Those who judged him we squares.
Exactly! It was the 80s - the more colorful and edgy, the better.
I think that most assumed that he was gay but I don't recall it being openly discussed.
@@johnow7 I don't think it was ever discussed either back then but I did watch him in an interview many years back he had a partner and I always thought he was anyways.
i always loved Boy George and Culture club. he has a beautiful voice and sweet soul. the band fit so well together in their time.
I was the mom of a teenager when this was on tv and radio all the time. He was so outlandish and I really liked the song.
A few more would be "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" "The War Song" "Time" "It's A Miracle" "Church Of The Poison Mind".
Funny how I forgot some of those, I was never a fan but they were big back in the day.
Church of the Poison Mind! I thought George really fell into his voice in that song! ❤️
And Victims.
I love "Time" and "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me". Fantastic songs, even if I wasn't a fan of their music in general. I thought they fit better with Boy George's voice.
Fun Fact: This video was filmed on The River Thames, in England. Culture Club is an English Band. They have some amazing tunes that you should really check out. The lead singer is named Boy George.
Do you really want to love me, Time the 80s was great
Extra fact. The boat is actually called the Elizabethan and was built for Richard Branson. It was built at Thomas Hughan boat builders in Greenwich which is where the intercontinental Hotel car park is next to the O2 arena ..
Culture Club was always unique. Boy George had a distinctive voice, and their videos always told some form of story. Great reactions!
“Victims” = Culture Club’s masterpiece. Boy George = perfection.
"Do you really want to hurt me"...it's such a sad and amazing song. ❤️😭
I think the two of you would absolutely love "Church of the Poison Mind" by Culture Club. One of the most amazing songs. Thanks for doing Karma Chameleon!
Interesting that you had David Bowie yesterday and Culture Club today. This is one of the many bands that were inspired by David Bowie. David Bowie personified "weird" and Boy George, Adam Ant, Spandau Ballet, Human League etc... were all inspired by Bowie to embrace their uniqueness. I am not sure if you have figured out that in the 60's there was a British invasion of music headed up by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Well in the 80''s there was a "new Wave" of British bands that opened the door to *)'s Alternative music. David Bowie would see the acceptance that the received and would make a reemergence in the 80's that you recently explored with Modern Love. .
Wow.. I have forgotten all about Adam Ant.
Definitely should check out True by Spandau ballet.
@@CardiacCat and Ultravox
@@CardiacCat 😳 who could ever forget Adam Ant hahaha!! LOVE him. I love his newer stuff too (Wonderful is a beautiful song)
Nailed it, Marco! 80's definitely had a New Wave invasion of amazing British music.. I'm surprised no one has used that term here before🤪. I know I sure loved discovering my parents' 60's music as I ate up the 80's New Wave when I was a teen❤️ both great eras for music
Thank you so much for doing so many classic songs for your reactions. They make me smile and sometimes bring a couple of tears as I remember friends and family who I enjoyed these songs with who aren't here anymore. A sincere Thanks for making me think of great things from the past😍😁
This song brings so many memories of my youth 😁
Mine to I miss the 80’s
I made the best mix tapes… just saying 😜
5:12 the beatles said that once when they got tired of people trying to analyze all the lyrics...Paul McCartney said words to the effect of "it's just a SONG, guys. It's just words we put together because they sounded cool" lmao 🙂
Boy George was *so* different and amazing and edgy and progressive in his style at the time. He was so controversial, but those of us that liked him just...LOVED him. He's still amazing and eccentric and definitely his own person.
"Boy" George O'Dowd is one of the best voices and lyricists of the 1980s. Most of his song lyrics were inspired by his tumultuous, on-again/off-again romantic relationship with the bands drummer Jon Moss.
George has struggled a large portion of his life with substance addiction which has led him to many run ins with authorities. Always a strong man George has fought hard to overcome these addictions and, to the best of my knowledge, he has maintained his sobriety since 2012.
Culture Club reunited and toured with all four original members until Jon Moss was "temporarily" replaced in 2019 and eventually announced in May of this year that he was severing ties with the band.
It’s about gay love, one of the first songs openly about it. Everyone embraced it knowing about his lifestyle and It was iconic. It also proved to be a pivotal point in accepting a song about love is love. We all loved Boy George and Culture Club. ❤️ They kicked open the door and forced us to discuss it. They were trailblazers.
Isn't it about him and Jon Moss (the drummer)? They were an item for the longest time, but of course, because of the times, they had to keep it low-key.
The song wasn't about gay love. Just because Boy George was obviously gay. That doesn't make it a gay song.
Elton John is gay...
Does that mean Tiny Dancer, Your Song and Candle in the wind are about Gay love?
@@JesusGarcia-cs9wl the song was about his on and off relationship with the drummer. "... You come and go..." the boyfriend would get with him for a while to get his rocks off, than leave for a while.
@@JesusGarcia-cs9wl Elton John wasn't openly gay yet and he didn't write the lyrics to his songs, Bernie Taupin (spelling the name wrong over a momentary brain fart). Elton wrote the melody and music. Taupin wrote the lyrics. Some of Elton's songs were secretly about his male lovers "Daniels Song" isn't really about his brother or Taupin's. It's about a "lover" not a "brother". Sorry to burst your bubble.
Oh man the Culture Club, man I was a kid when their music came out and I loved them! To me Boy George is an ICON.
Loving Amber’s hair, can our girl get more cute? Don’t think so. The heads bouncing together AWWWW. Jordan and Amber you guys are just too damn adorable.
Aren't they?
I was thinkin same thing🤣
I like it too. But her fluffy natural hair on the opening screen is my favorite. Then again Amber can't do any wrong.🤗
Both good looking couple .
Definitely a cute couple
I had the pleasure of working on this video way back. Filmed on the river Thames near Bray shot in one day...
Now you guys have hit the last of my 80's favorites. Boy George, George Michael, Michael Jackson, and Prince ruled what I listened to during the 80's. I of course enjoyed other people but those 4 acts were my all time favs. I called them my pretty boys. They had the best music and the best looks. Everytime they released something new I was first in line to get it. And the concerts... I can't even explain how special they were. Listen to Time, by Culture Club next. Also try Love is Love fantastic.
Boy GEORGE - GEORGE Michael - MICHAEL Jackson - Conspiracy ?
@@darren6202 I'm not a detective, dude. And my opinion is like everyone's, in that we all have one. After all this time; just enjoy the music they left behind. Nothing but Love over here.😍😍😍
I actually come from same area in South London as boy George my dad and all uncles grew up at same time in the 60/70 great band he got a wicked voice
As a kid my friends and I were all about Duran Duran, Wham!, and Culture Club. I look at these videos the way other people look at family photos. My favorite song of theirs "Time (Clock of the Heart) is my #3 song of all-time. On my deathbed I probably won't remember my name, but I'll remember the lyrics to these songs.
I think you'll like "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" --- lots of horns and a catchy tune.
Loved them so much ,I played many of their songs often. May I suggest “ Do you really want hurt me” , Time; clock of the heart” I’ll tumble 4 ya” and “ Miss me blind”. Which one you choose will be great .
I was nuts about Culture Club when they first came out. Anything “different “ really got me. Still love them! It’s just a fun song from ‘83.Probably my favorite is “Victims”. Super deep ballad. George has a beautiful voice!
Culture Club was a big group in the 80's, so many fantastic songs.
Excellent, also the session studio musicians are outstanding, true professionals.
Ohhh I really like Culture Club, enjoy!!
He has one of my favorite voices. Its so distinctive and smooth. Great talent.
"Do you really want to hurt me" is a far better song to react to from culture culture club. It's not upbeat but Boy George's vocal range is on display in it. Way better song, and the message behind it 👌
"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" will make Amber sway! 🤗
yes!! Beautiful song.♥
I remember we and the kids sat watching them for the first time on Top of the Pops and we were trying to guess whether he was male or female but we loved the music
Too me this is their best and my favorite song by them.
Goerge ended up on heroine and went down the rabbit hole for a while. He's come back and I'm proud of him!
Red, Green and Gold in the faith of RasTafari. Red - signifies the blood of those killed for the cause of the African community, throughout history. Gold - signifies the vast wealth and riches which belong to the African continent. Green - signifies the lushness and hope of the Earth namely that of the Promised Land of Ethiopia
I'm almost certain this was written as a reggae song too.
Thanx a bunch for that, i never knew what it was about and woudln't have thought to look it up... There were a whole lot of really good lyrics in songs back then.
I always thought it was to do with the rastafarai
Culture Club's songs had very oblique lyrics, mostly to disguise the fact that many of the songs were about Boy George's relationship with the drummer Jon Moss. I recommend reading George's autobiography, "Take It Like A Man"
Boy George, the lead singer, said the song is about the fear of alienation folks have when standing up for something.
Let me tell you something I been to a lot of concerts in my day and Culture Club came to San Antonio Texas during the 80s and they put on the best concert I have ever been to. Love them. They are from the UK 🇬🇧 👍🏽🙌🏽
Boy George had a great solo hit The Crying Game. You really get to hear his voice in it.
Yes!
Love that song!
Totally agree. Haven't thought about theat film and song in a long time.
This was the beginning of my musical youth. Also the start of multi-cultural Britain.
Boy George is also a pretty damn good club DJ.
This is one of the iconic songs of the 1980s. I look forward to the day you react to the biggest band of the 1980s…U2…With or Without You, One, Pride (In the Name of Love), and Desire.
Yes! I've been requesting U2 for a while.
With or without you is the best song of the 80s
Better yet, U2 from the late 70s...Sunday Bloody Sunday. From the 80s, Sarajevo.
Think this song is about being gay and in love with someone who can't be secure enough to be "out" about being in a relationship. His lover is open in their friend set but their love is hidden to the rest of society as his love can't make the move to make singer's dreams reality. I have never understood "red, gold and green"
U2 was not the biggest band of the 80s but yes their music was awesome.
Culture Club were so huge in the 80's. They even featured in an episode of The A Team.
Culture Club, "Love is love", is another good one. Boy George wrote most of the band's lyrics, and many of his words were inspired by his relationship with the group's drummer, Jon Moss.Their difficult romantic/professional relationship was also the inspiration for the line: "You're my lover, not my rival" in 'Karma Chameleon'.
In the early 1980s, Culture Club and Duran Duran were two of the hottest new music acts coming out of England. They played a part of what was called the "Second British Invasion" of pop music. This song is their only #1 hit in America on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the early winter of 1984. This song is one of 10 Top 40 hits that Culture Club put on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
It was almost as much fun watching his fashion changes over the years as it was to listen his music. Man, that boy had a flair for unique. Always "out there" but cool as hell!
Omg! That voice! His range is so amazing! Thanks guys, brought back some great 80's memories❤❤❤
At the time I thought Boy George was really strange but I did enjoy the music. My, how times change. He could now walk down the street and no one would give him a second glance. 😂😂😂Cheers, Steve
Love love. So good. He is so talented. I love all his music.
Still rooting for Etta james, At Last. Would love for you all to send to a little more country, especially from the '90s and back. Brooks and Dunn, My Maria is absolutely gorgeous and the falsettos are amazing! Maybe you could have a day where you play a few country hits, or maybe once or twice a week with other types of music. I love so many genres of music, so throw a little more country in the mix. Love y'all! You are a highlight of my day.
Yes! love all your suggestions. Although I am fairly sure J and Amber have heard Etta James "At Last"...I mean - who hasn't! But it would be interesting to see them react to it.
Yes Etta James. At Last. My oldest granddaughter walked down the aisle to that song with her great papa..
Yes. That is a great song. It's my husband and my song...so good
Brooks and Dunn’s Neon Moon is a fav of mine.
Me too. I've suggested it over and over.
Most guys back in the 80's would never admit they liked Culture Club without being labeled gay, but Boy George has one of the most amazing voice ever.
This reminds me of why I always keep the remote control really close.
I was a teenager absolutely in love with Boy George!!
Totally iconic song!! 🎵 Next...
"Time"
"Miss Me Blind"
"I'll Tumble 4 Ya"
I didn't pay attention to the lyrics when I hit the dance floor and sang along with everyone on that catchy chorus. However, I decided to try to figure them out when I got older. The first two verses (plus the chorus) give us a clue:
There's a loving in your eyes all the way
If I listen to your lies, would you say
I'm a man (a man) without conviction
I'm a man (a man) who doesn't know
How to sell (to sell) a contradiction
You come and go, you come and go
Karma, karma, karma, karma, karma chameleon
You come and go, you come and go
Loving would be easy if your colors were like my dreams
Red, gold, and green, red, gold, and green
...
When we cling (we cling), our love is strong
When you go (you go), you're gone forever
You string along, you string along
HERE'S HOW I INTERPRET IT: He's selling a contradiction -- a love that is not constant, a love that is not easy, that is not the way he dreamed love would be. Like karma, this love was meant to be(?), what he deserves(?). Like a chameleon, it constantly changes to fade into whatever situation it finds itself in, it has no conviction, no colors of its own, taking on another's desire(?), becoming what another wants(?), then going away to become something different (for someone else? for another situation?).
Of course, I'm still a bit confused and I definitely could be wrong.
he has a beautiful voice!
How did you not know this song? You had their album "Colour By Numbers" up on the wall behind you. Great album!!!
My elderly dad thought Boy George was a woman until he found out he was a man. Back then not too many men wore makeup. I loved the 80s.
14 year old me, watching American Bandstand; Mom walks by:
Mom: What is that?
Me: Boy George
Mom: Are you sure?
I remember when KISS first made it big. Anyone over 40 years old were just beside themselves thinking that the kids of the time were being corrupted by make-up wearing freaks.
In High school, I did my make-up just like Boy George. I would love to see him come out with his own cosmetic line.
Lmao I was 14 or 15 about the time they came on the scene and I wondered too what the hell is that when I saw them on MTv
Supposedly, George said the song is about being or feeling alienated and how karma comes to those who mistreat people like that. The chameleon changes colors depending on where it's trying to blend it. People tend to change who they are when trying to blend in, but eventually, their true colors come through.
The colors - Boy George was into helping others and spreading love across the world, and he was against war. He had an interest in Rastafarian culture and Africa, and those colors = red for the blood of those who died in war and protests, gold for the wealthy ones who could help, and green for the beautiful land they all share. The colors of the flag are connected as one, so since he says "Lovin' would be easy if your colors were like my dreams, red, gold and green", I think he's saying that he dreams of those colors as together and the people being together in peace.
One of my all-time favorites by Culture Club is "Black Money".
It didn't get much airplay in the US, at least not where I live. Helen Terry sings backup and George once said that Helen could sing him into the ground because she was so good.
Boy George was a different type of guy for people back then, most thought he was pretty cool lol
My late dad loved this song and video. And I see it like he accepted me and everyone "different " ,not mainstream. 🤗
They have one of the best singles of all time - classic and beautiful - called "Do you Really want to hurt me".....
One of their hits that tends to get over looked was a beautiful song called 'Victims' Boy Georges voice is so haunting and in the video he looks so beautiful.
Hes an odd one but has a voice.You should listen to the crying game by him its awesome
I *love* that song
Great song!!!
I was only 3 when this song was released. It was my favorite song as a child, and it's still one of my most favorite songs.
The singer, Boy George (George O'Dowd) was a mainstay in London's early new wave/ new romantic scene in the late 70s/ early 80s. I know you guys already reacted to Dead Or Alive; there was always contention between George and Dead Or Alive's singer Pete Burns as to who coped whose flamboyant style.
George was an R&B fanatic, so a lot of their best songs followed those stylistic influences, from Motown ("Church Of The Poison Mind"), to Philadelphia soul "(Time (Clock Of The Heart)") to reggae ("Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?") to Burundi ("I'll Tumble 4 Ya"). It was a sharp contrast to the electronic/ synth music that was common with British new wave artists at the time, but it fit right in with the times.
And yes, parents freaked out that the male singer looked like a female (just like they freaked about how Annie Lennox of The Eurythmics looked like a male); but again, those were different times. I was 11 at the time, and even back then I refused to see why it was a big deal. They sounded good, and that was my main concern. This whole album ("Colour By Numbers") is non-stop fun.
I love culture club and boy George . He has unique style and a great voice. He had a solo career after culture club. I know because i have seven of his cds.
Culture Club was big in the '80s and the lead singer, Boy George, is one of the greatest characters in Pop history, along with being a very good singer. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," is another huge hit of theirs you should definitely react to.
I love this song too. Thank you for featuring. :)
Boy George and the Culture Club was very different. They're music went from what you just heard as a southern twang, to an Asian sound to regular pop music but all the videos were all fun and they all had a different sound. They capitalized on the 80s
I'm gradually catching up on all your videos & I'm loving that you're just discovering all these groups/singers that are part of my life. Loved Boy George & Culture Club, when we went to the UK Clubs back in the 80's, we danced all night to them & Wham & all the other 80's groups. Try listening to Wham, Duran Duran, Thomson Twins, Wet Wet Wet etc. if you haven't checked them out already.
For me, their ultimate classic is Time Clock of the Heart
On a random night, as an adult, went to this concert. All last minute and hands down the most fun I’ve ever had at a concert!
Love your reactions and the fact that you will take on any artist, any genre in your journey through music! If you want to go somewhere you have probably never been before, let me suggest "The Offbeat of Avenues" by the Manhattan Transfer. I don't want to tell you much about the group or the song but I think you will enjoy and appreciate the talent behind it. Have a great day today and always!
Listen to "I tumble for you"! My favorite Culture Club song