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.
Bow Down Mister
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Al the Hindus know the score
If you wanna live some more
Hare, hare, hare
If you do not take the vow
You can eat the sacred cow
You'll get karma anyhow
Bow down mister
Hare Rama, Hare Krishna
Bow down mister
We say radha syam
Do the right thing with your hands
Lay down on the pleasing sands
Whatever else your faith demands
Hare, hare, hare
From Bombay to Rajastan
Nitai guara, radha syam
Hare krishna hare ram
Hare, hare, hare
Bow down mister
Hare Rama, Hare Krishna
Bow down mister
We say radha syam
Bow down mister
Hare Rama, Hare Krishna
Bow down mister
We say radha syam
In the desert Jahshamire
They put kun in their hair
At the westemers they stare
Hare, hare, hare
Paint a tilak on your brow
Open like a lotus flower
It's time to check your karma now
Hare, hare, hare
Bow down mister
Hare rama, hare krishna
Bow down mister
We say radha syam
Bow down mister
Hare Rama, Hare Krishna
Bow down mister
We say radha syam
Bow down mister
Hare Rama, Hare Krishna
Bow down mister
We say radha syam
Bow down mister
We say radha syam
Bow down mister
We say radha syam
Bow down mister
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
Hare ram hare ram rama rama hare hare
Hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
Hare ram hare ram rama rama hare hare
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord
Hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
Hare ram hare ram rama rama hare hare
Hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
Hare ram hare ram rama rama hare hare
Hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
Hare ram hare ram rama rama hare hare
The lyrics to Culture Club's song "Bow Down Mister" blend elements of Indian spirituality, Hinduism and Hare Krishna philosophy with a plea to listeners to recognize their own mortality and take steps to improve their karma. Throughout the song, the singer urges his listeners to "bow down" and seek guidance from higher powers, referencing both specific deities in the Hindu pantheon and more general concepts of karma and spiritual responsibility. The language and imagery used throughout the song is heavily influenced by Indian culture, referencing specific cities like Bombay and Rajastan, as well as the use of traditional Hindu phrases like "Hare Rama" and "Hare Krishna."
The lyrics to "Bow Down Mister" can be interpreted as a call to embrace spirituality and seek guidance from higher powers in order to improve one's own life and avoid negative karma. The repeated references to "Hare Rama" and "Hare Krishna" suggest a call to embrace a specific form of Indian spirituality, while the use of imagery like "paint a tilak on your brow" refers to traditional Hindu practices of adornment and spiritual devotion. Overall, the song encourages listeners to engage in self-reflection and spiritual growth in order to move toward a more fulfilling, positive life.
Line by Line Meaning
From Bombay to Bangalore Al the Hindus know the score If you wanna live some more Hare, hare, hare
In India, from Mumbai to Bangalore, Hindus are well aware of the religious practices and beliefs associated with the Hare Krishna movement. If one wants to live a fulfilling life, they must practice these beliefs.
If you do not take the vow You can eat the sacred cow You'll get karma anyhow Hare, hare, hare
If one does not commit to the religious vow associated with the Hare Krishna movement, they may consume the sacred cow. Nevertheless, they will still receive karma for their actions.
Do the right thing with your hands Lay down on the pleasing sands Whatever else your faith demands Hare, hare, hare
It is essential to perform righteous actions and engage in meditation and prayer by the tranquil shores. These actions are crucial in fulfilling the demands of one's faith.
From Bombay to Rajastan Nitai guara, radha syam Hare krishna hare ram Hare, hare, hare
The Hare Krishna movement expands across various Indian states, including Rajasthan and Mumbai. The mantras Nitai Guara, Radha Syam, and Hare Krishna Hare Ram are chanted throughout these regions.
In the desert Jahshamire They put kun in their hair At the westemers they stare Hare, hare, hare
In Jahshamire, a desert region in India, people apply kun to their hair. Westerners gaze upon them, probably in astonishment.
Paint a tilak on your brow Open like a lotus flower It's time to check your karma now Hare, hare, hare
To follow the Hare Krishna movement, it is necessary to apply a sacred dot to the forehead, denoting one's belief. It symbolizes the mind's purity, receptive to stimuli, like the petals of a lotus flower. It's time to revisit your moral conscience and consider your karma.
Raise your head and lift your hands to the lord Hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare Hare ram hare ram rama rama hare hare
It's time to take the final step and uplift one's spirit through prayer. Chanting Hare Krishna and Hare Ram with arms and head raised towards the lord is an act of submission to the faith's ideals.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEORGE O'DOWD, RENE LANGROCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rohinidasi767
Ти си изпълнил мисията на своя живот
Първият човек ,който ми даде Кришна
Ти си Гуру,това за толкова много хора в този свят
Бъди благословен със сладката си усмивка ,повтарящ имената на Бога
Желая ти пълен успех, всичко в този живот
Бъди благословен
Когато първи път чух тази песен,аз станах луд
Само исках да повтарям и танцувам
Не бях изживявала подобно нещо в живота си
Вечна Слава на Святото име
@HimmatRathorehr
I had the privilege of meeting him once. During his visit to Mumbai back in 1989/90, he stayed in a beach side house close to my home.
@garyproffitt5941
Absolute god damn genius Boy George 😇👍.
@jemmabattensby9097
I was 18 when this was out im 48 now still love it 👌
@teonatokhadze1255
This is simply ode to joy 🙏🌞💫
@christopherschmitz9747
Boy George's most underrated song. Jubilant and infectious.
@DroopusTunes
Thanks! I made it. B)
@Luziemagick
I couldn't agree more sweetheart🙌🙌🙌
@paulpriestley1274
As is Boy George himself, bubbly and infectious
@bettinanina5
christoffer...indeed !!
@NorthernFella
I agree