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.
Black Comedy
Culture Club Lyrics
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You're too young, I'm too wise, this is parody
A taste of what you like can be fatal sometimes
Arms that hold you tight but leave you cold, so cold
The stars in the sky are out of reach tonight
Tears fall like rain, wrong again, words won't make me right
'Cause I knew from the start you were wrong for me
Love, maybe lust, made me sweet sixteen
So my soul lost control, nothing in between
A taste of what you want can be brutal sometimes
Arms that hold you tight but leave you cold, so cold
The stars in the sky are out of reach tonight
Tears fall like rain, wrong again, words won't make me right
'Cause I knew from the start you were wrong for me
Call it fate if you like or black comedy
The stars in the sky are out of reach tonight
Tears fall like rain, wrong again, words won't make me right
'Cause I knew from the start you were wrong for me
Call it fate if you like or black comedy
The stars in the sky are out of reach tonight
Tears fall like rain, wrong again, words won't make me right
'Cause I knew from the start you were wrong for me
Call it fate if you like or black comedy
The stars in the sky are out of reach tonight
Tears fall like rain, wrong again, words won't make me right
'Cause I knew from the start you were wrong for me
Call it fate if you like or black comedy
The song “Black Comedy” by Culture Club tells the story of a relationship that is doomed to fail from the start. The singer is aware that her partner is wrong for her, yet she proceeds with the relationship despite her better judgment. The lyrics describe the lover as having “sweet cunning eyes” and being “too young” for the singer who believes that she is “too wise”. The relationship is likened to a parody, suggesting that it is not a serious or genuine relationship.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of the idea that the stars in the sky are out of reach tonight, tears fall like rain, words won’t make me right, and that it is black comedy. This repetition emphasizes the idea of the futility of the relationship, despite the singer’s attempts to make it work. She acknowledges that the relationship is not what she wants, but she continues to stay in it, and the consequence is that she will remain alone with her tears, with the stars out of reach.
In summary, “Black Comedy” is a song that explores the complexity of romantic relationships. The singer knows that she is in a doomed relationship, but she is unable to break away from it. The lyrics highlight the difficulties of navigating love, and the consequences of making the wrong choice.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet cunning eyes try to take from me
Someone with manipulative and deceitful eyes is attempting to take something from me
You're too young, I'm too wise, this is parody
The singer and the person they are addressing are at different stages of life, making their current situation feel like a mockery or parody
A taste of what you like can be fatal sometimes
Indulging in what you enjoy can lead to negative consequences that may be fatal
Arms that hold you tight but leave you cold, so cold
Someone may physically hold you close, but it doesn't bring any warmth or positive feelings
The stars in the sky are out of reach tonight
Metaphorically speaking, the artist's dreams or aspirations feel unattainable
Tears fall like rain, wrong again, words won't make me right
The singer has made a mistake, and no apologies or excuses can make it right
'Cause I knew from the start you were wrong for me
The singer had a feeling that the person they were interested in was not right for them from the beginning
Call it fate if you like or black comedy
The situation could either be seen as destiny or as an ironic and humorous tragedy
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: GEORGE ALAN O'DOWD, JOHN THEMISTOCLEOUS, MICHAEL EMILE CRAIG, RICHARD WILLIAM STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind