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 Money
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you deal in black money?
Do you deal in black money?
Do you deal in black money?
Fortunes find you
Cross out every emotion
Standing right behind
Somebody else's life
Cannot be mine
But when you love someone
And they don't love you in return
When you love someone
You've got money to burn
Do you deal in black money?
Do you deal in black money?
Do you deal in black money?
Do you deal in black money?
I believe that
Nothing could come between us
Magic potions
Won't you save them for dreamers?
Somebody else's life cannot be mine
But when you love someone
And they don't love you in return
When you love someone
You've got money to burn
Do you deal in black money?
Do you deal in black money?
Do you deal in black money?
Do you deal in black money?
Give me some love
But don't waste my time
Black money
I'll love you again
But you must be mine
Black money
Give me some love
But don't waste my time
Black money
Fortunes find you
Cross out every emotion
Standing right behind
A shadow of devotion
Somebody else's life
Cannot be mine
But when you love someone
And they don't love you in return
When you love someone
You've got money to burn
Do you deal in black money?
Do you deal in black money?
Do you deal in black money?
Do you deal in black money?
Give me some love
But don't waste my time
Black money
I'll love you again
But you must be mine
Black money
Give me some love
But don't waste my time
Black money
"Black Money," by Culture Club, discusses a person's obsession with money and the negative impact it has on their life. The song is a rhythmic blend of reggae and pop that includes background vocals, harmonies, and Boy George's signature voice. The repeated questioning of "Do you deal in black money?" implies a darker meaning to the lyrics, with the reference to "black money" being understood as a term for undisclosed or dirty money.
The song's opening lyrics, "Fortunes find you/Cross out every emotion/Standing right behind a shadow of devotion," suggest that the lead character has chosen to prioritize money over their emotional well-being. The lyrics about "somebody else's life cannot be mine" mean that the character has given up on living their life to chase money. Despite this, they still long for love and affection from others, but their riches, represented by "black money," are a trap that prevents them from finding true happiness.
The repetition of "Give me some love/But don't waste my time/Black Money/I'll love you again/But you must be mine" suggests the character is aware of the toxicity of their obsession with money but is still unable to break free from it. Ultimately, the song reflects a criticism of a materialistic lifestyle at the expense of genuine human connection and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you deal in black money?
Are you involved in illegal financial activities?
Fortunes find you
You attract wealth and success.
Cross out every emotion
Suppress your feelings and emotions.
Standing right behind
Always close by and following you.
A shadow of devotion
A constant and strong commitment.
Somebody else's life
You cannot live someone else's life.
Cannot be mine
You must live your own life and not try to live someone else's.
But when you love someone
When you are in love with someone.
And they don't love you in return
When the person you love does not reciprocate your feelings.
You've got money to burn
You have excessive wealth at your disposal.
I believe that
It is my belief that.
Nothing could come between us
Nothing can harm our relationship.
Magic potions
False promises and unrealistic expectations.
Won't you save them for dreamers?
Do not waste these promises on people who are not grounded in reality.
Give me some love
Show me affection and care.
But don't waste my time
Do not lead me on if you do not have genuine feelings for me.
I'll love you again
I will fall in love with you again.
But you must be mine
But you must commit to being in a relationship with me.
Black money
Illegally obtained financial gain.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL CRAIG, ROY HAY, JON MOSS, GEORGE O'DOWD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind