"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" was the third single released in Europe by Culture Club and their debut release in the U.S. and Canada. The song was picked up by BBC Radio 2 and became a UK number-one single for three weeks in October 1982. The song entered the charts in the US at #80 on 4 December 1982. The song held at #2 for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in March and April 1983 (kept from the number one spot by Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean"). The single achieved sales of 900,000 US copies and hit #1 in Canada. It was also number one in Australia. This was Culture Club's first success, after their first two releases, "White Boy" and "I'm Afraid of Me" charted in the UK at #114 and #100 respectively. According to Boy George, it was their last chance to get an album deal. The song rose rapidly in the UK charts after the group's first appearance on Top of the Pops, which resulted in George's androgynous style of dress and sexual ambiguity making newspaper headlines. The group were only asked to appear on Top of the Pops the night before the show, after Shakin' Stevens pulled out.
In a retrospective review, Allmusic journalist Jose F. Promis described "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" as "a simple masterpiece, resonating with an ache that harked back to the classic torch songs of yesteryear." In 2007, Boy George said that the song was "not just about Culture Club's drummer Jon Moss, my boyfriend at the time. It was about all the guys I dated at that time in my life." The B-side was a dub version featuring Pappa Weasel in many countries and "You Know I'm Not Crazy" on the US release. On the 12" version of the record, the track "Love Is Cold (You Were Never No Good)" was also included.
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me
Boy George And Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me love and steal
I have danced inside your eyes
How can I be real?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Precious kisses, words that burn me
In my heart the fire is burning
Choose my color, find a star
Precious people always tell me
That's a step, a step too far
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Words are few I have spoken
I could waste a thousand years
Wrapped in sorrow, words are token
Come inside and catch my tears
You've been talking but believe me
If it's true you do not know
This boy loves without a reason
I'm prepared to let you go
If it's love you want from me
Then take it away
Everything's not what you see
It's over again
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
The lyrics to Boy George / Culture Club's song "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me {Kinky Disco Mix}" describe a turbulent romantic relationship in which the singer is pleading with their lover for understanding and acceptance. In the first verse, the singer asks for time to "realize [their] crime," suggesting that they have done something wrong but want to build a better relationship going forward. Additionally, the line "let me love and steal" hints at a complicated power dynamic between the two lovers, with the singer wanting to take what they desire while still being granted love and warmth from their partner.
The chorus of the song repeatedly asks the question "Do you really want to hurt me?" and the following verses emphasize the depth of the singer's emotions. The line "precious kisses, words that burn me" speaks to the intensity of their love and how painful it is to not have that love returned in kind. Similarly, "wrapped in sorrow, words are token" suggests that the singer feels trapped by their emotions and unable to express them fully to their partner.
Ultimately, the song presents a complex and emotional portrait of a romantic relationship in crisis. While the singer is clearly suffering, they also seem to recognize that their love may not be fully reciprocated and are prepared for the possibility of letting their partner go.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me time to realize my crime
Please give me time to understand my mistake
Let me love and steal
Allow me to love and take what I desire
I have danced inside your eyes
I have felt a deep emotional connection with you
How can I be real
I question if this connection is genuine or just an illusion
Do you really want to hurt me
Are you intentionally trying to cause me pain?
Do you really want to make me cry
Do you truly wish to see me suffer emotionally?
Precious kisses words that burn me
Your loving gestures and words have hurt me deeply
Lovers never ask you why
People in love don't question each other's motives
In my heart the fire is burning
I feel a strong passion inside of me
Choose my color find a star
Pick the aspects of me that you find most attractive and worthwhile
Precious people always tell me
Those dearest to me advise me
That's a step a step too far
That is going too far
Words are few
I struggle to express myself verbally
I could waste a thousand years
I could spend a lifetime wallowing in sadness
Wrapped in sorrow, words are token
I'm consumed by misery and my words feel meaningless
Come inside and catch my tears
Be there for me as I express my emotions
You've been talking but believe me
You have been communicating with me, but don't fully understand
If it's true you do not know
You may not be aware of the reality of my feelings
This boy loves without a reason
I love unconditionally
I'm prepared to let you go
I am willing to walk away from this relationship
If it's love you want from me
If affection is what you seek from me
Then take it away
Then feel free to take it from me
Everything's not what you see it's over again
Things are not as they seem, and the relationship is coming to an end
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: George O'Dowd, Jonathan Moss, Michael Craig, Nessa Barrett, Roy Ernest Hay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kenf3299
The man could sing.. no one will ever take that away from him.
@hakunamatata6864
The man
couldcan sing...@cathyc5108
in a way.... they did just that!
@zaravictoriawalker6461
He was dancing in background when the Jets were on top of the tops ❤❤
@janusconner3710
Agreed.👍
@jessygoofball4736
I remember when I bought this album as a kid, I played it so much that my sister said, "Yes, I really DO want to hurt you!" ☺
@alexpineda6294
Lollllll that was a really good one you sent it out of the stadium
@naynayelliott8323
LOL
@carlosjaras9640
Lol......
@Maya-ju4ex
Lmao, luv your sis!