Their first album, 1982's Kissing to Be Clever, became a major international hit, spawning the hit singles "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" (which went 'all the way' in the BBC-Charts in late 1982), "Time (Clock of the Heart)", and "I'll Tumble 4 Ya". Unique in his eccentric manner of dress and androgynous look, Boy George became a worldwide celebrity.
Their second album, 1983's Colour By Numbers also did extremely well, giving the band its second number one hit in the UK with "Karma Chameleon." Karma Chameleon reached No.1 in many countries and they even starred in UK's Top of the Pops in September 1983. However, trouble was brewing within the Culture Club camp. Unknown to the public, George was having an affair with drummer Jon Moss. The affair (which lasted over four years) was often problematic and the pressure to hide the relationship started to take its toll.
The band also started to lose its place musically. Their next album, 1984's Waking Up With the House on Fire was a major disappointment. Though the band gained a small comeback with 1986's From Luxury to Heartache (thanks to the hit "Move Away"), both George's and Jon's fights created much tension, eventually leading to the breakup of the band. Around this time, George also became addicted to heroin, which created a frenzy with the tabloids. Eventually, George would let go of the habit and begin his solo career. A minor hit from the "Hiding Out" soundtrack called "Live My Life" peaked at U.S. #40. While George scored several hits in Europe and finally hit the U.S. top 20 with 1992's "The Crying Game", he was never able to reach the success he achieved with Culture Club.
In 1998, the band put their problems aside and decided to do a reunion tour. Kicked off with a performance on VH1 Storytellers, the tour was a major success. Shortly after, Culture Club recorded a new album titled Don't Mind If I Do. Though never released in the U.S., the first single, "I Just Wanna Be Loved" (UK #4), was featured on a compilation based around the Storytellers performance.
The band went on to tour for a few more years. Recently, however, Culture Club has been inactive, largely due to Boy George's concentration on his successful career as a DJ. In late 2006, Culture Club announced a reunion - albeit, without Boy George as lead singer.
After the Love
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some kids, only sweet sixteen
Think they're really tough
You could give them everything
It wouldn't be enough
Mothers crying all alone
Raising up a family
You've got to be so strong
After the love has gone
How can we carry on?
After the love has gone
How can we carry on?
Father is a broken man
He drinks to forget
He's searching for the higher gound
But he ain't found it yet
Everyday just like the last
Poverty and lust
So hateful of the richer man
Because he ain't like us
After the love has gone
How can we carry on?
After the love has gone
What used to be right is wrong
Like walking into a storm
Walking into a storm
Strangled by religion
Those that still believe
When you don't have nothing
The lord he will relieve
Television lifestyle
People come on down
Welcome to the future
Your feet won't touch the ground
Your feet won't touch the ground
After the love has gone
How can we carry on?
After the love has gone
What used to be right is wrong
Like walking into a storm
The lyrics to Culture Club's "After the Love" describe the struggles of a family that has fallen apart after losing the love that held them together. The opening lines depict the disconnect between parents and their children, as many teenagers may feel invincible and difficult for their parents to reach. No matter how much their parents may give, it can never be enough to satisfy their teenage wants and desires. The following lines of the song focus on the struggles of the mother and father in the family. The mother is left wondering what she did wrong as she raises her children alone, while the father has turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism in trying to forget his pain. Poverty and jealousy of the wealthy are also present in the lyrics as the family struggles to stay afloat.
The chorus of the song questions how the family can move on from the love that has been lost. The phrases "What used to be right is wrong" and "like walking into a storm" show the confusion and uncertainty the family faces as they try to navigate life without that love. The final section of the song references religion as a source of hope and relief for those who have nothing, but also touches on the superficiality of the television age where people are always searching for the next big thing to keep them entertained and distracted.
Line by Line Meaning
After the love has gone
The relationship has ended and both parties are trying to figure out what to do next.
Some kids, only sweet sixteen
Teenagers tend to have overconfidence and believe that they can handle anything that comes their way.
Think they're really tough
Teenagers believe they are courageous and possess all the answers.
You could give them everything
Even if they were given all the resources, they still would not be satisfied.
It wouldn't be enough
They will always want more, regardless of how much they already have.
Mothers crying all alone
Single parents asking themselves where they went wrong to have to deal with the struggles in raising their children.
What did I do wrong?
A question on the minds of struggling single parents who are trying to be there for their children.
Raising up a family
The difficulties in parenting and being a responsible adult.
You've got to be so strong
It takes strength to be both a parent and the head of a household.
Father is a broken man
The struggles of dealing with a failed marriage can lead to brokenness in the father figure.
He drinks to forget
An attempt by the father to suppress the hurt and pain through substance abuse.
He's searching for the higher gound
Despite the circumstances, the father is desperately searching for a way out.
But he ain't found it yet
He has yet to figure out a new path in the midst of his struggles.
Everyday just like the last
A feeling of monotony in every day life.
Poverty and lust
The struggle of trying to fight poverty in the midst of society's lust for wealth and status.
So hateful of the richer man
The stigma against those who are wealthy and the negative attitudes that can arise due to envy.
Because he ain't like us
A view that the wealthy are not relatable and that they don't have understanding of the struggles of those with less resources.
After the love has gone
After the pain of a broken relationship sets in.
How can we carry on?
How do we move forward despite the pain and chaos that comes from broken relationships?
What used to be right is wrong
The idea that people's morals and values can become unclear in the aftermath of a broken relationship.
Like walking into a storm
The difficulty of finding a way forward after going through something as chaotic as a breakup.
Strangled by religion
The struggle of finding meaning through religion and the potential for it to lead to feeling suffocated and trapped.
Those that still believe
Despite the struggle, there are still those who believe that religion can bring them a sense of peace and hope.
When you don't have nothing
When life is at its lowest point and there seems to be a lack of hope or resources.
The lord he will relieve
The faith that in the midst of tough times, God will bring peace and relief to those who believe.
Television lifestyle
A portrayal of the envy and desire that can arise from media and the influence it can have on our lifestyles and decisions.
People come on down
The excitement and hype that comes with new trends and lifestyles, leading people to want to join in and follow the path of others.
Welcome to the future
The idea that society is changing and advancing towards something new and different.
Your feet won't touch the ground
The feeling of being swept up or lost in something new and different, unsure of how to maintain stability or safeguard your well-being.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GEORGE O'DOWD, JON MOSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rolanddanielsson2240
TOPP 10
BOY GEORGE
01. Il Adore
02. Unfinished Business
03. After The Love
04. If I Could Fly
05. The Crying Game
06. Bow Down Mister
07. Broken Spirit
08. To Be Reborn
09. Everything I Own
10. Generations Of Love
@MrMaxident
I was one of the spinning boys and loved it. George is a wonderful person and a great artist.
@lazybelphegore6748
Which one were you? And was that Jon Moss at 2:32 I was surprised
@sarala8857
Boy George's music are timeless. His songs are always so freshly, is in the lead at music world.
@KatiaTonon
Amo esta música... Ouço todos os dias, aliás o meu celular está repleto de músicas do Boy George/ Culture Club... Minhas músicas preferidas... A voz dele é Linda, me alegra, me encanta e me inspira!
@robertojosemachado6686
BOY GEORGE = SENSACIONAL
@ivyvines6708
Boy George has to have the most beautifully sad eyes that have ever been. Totally a great song. ;-) ;-) ;-)
@KatiaTonon
Boy George is a complete and perfect artist ... You are my inspiration ... I can not live without your music...
@elenitacarvalho876
Boy George my star forever .adoro ouvir você cantar
@123456789jklmn
Love Boy George passionate voice....such an amazing artist. Love him for over 25 years and still loving him. He truly touched my soul. Thanks for sharing this awesome video.
@mightymosesdoyle
George is Timeless. His Message will go on and on and on.....