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.
Changing Every Day
Culture Club Lyrics
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Wake up child,
And throw your life away.
See you in the crime file,
What will your mama say?
Sometimes you get angry,
No focus in your life.
They learn how to survive.
[Chorus:]
Changing every day.
Changing every day.
Changing every day.
Changing every day.
Summer syncopation,
The space between your eyes.
Is a place for heroes,
That never compromise.
Sometimes you feel lonely,
No focus or surprise.
Pushed into production,
What a way to live our lives.
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Culture Club's song "Changing Every Day" are open to interpretation on many levels. The song's message appears to address contemporary issues of social and personal expectations, as well as the dehumanizing effects of industrialization. Throughout the song, it speaks about the pressure to conform to societal norms, or risk being ostracized from the mainstream. The opening lines implore the listener to discard their life, with a dire warning that they will end up in the 'crime file.' These words suggest a sense of fatalism and hopelessness, as though being oneself and living outside the accepted societal norms is already a crime. The use of the phrase 'throw your life away' implies a sense of uselessness or futility in the eyes of the larger society.
As the song progresses, it appears to suggest that there is a way of surviving and thriving in spite of these pressures. The singer implies that people can learn how to survive when they get hungry, either metaphorically or literally. The chorus, repeating the phrase 'changing every day,' suggests that people should not be confined to a fixed identity, and that we should all take steps to challenge ourselves and become better versions of ourselves.
The second verse speaks about the consequences of ignoring the pressure to conform. The verses suggest that a life without purpose or meaning is a life wasted, and the singer implores the listeners not to be 'pushed into production.' This is a statement about how society often treats people as cogs in a machine, rather than as individuals with their unique needs and aspirations. The song urges people to be the heroes of their own lives, rather than yielding to the demands of society.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone says
The song opens with an unidentified person or voice saying something.
Wake up child,
The unidentified person tells someone to wake up and pay attention.
And throw your life away.
The unidentified person then encourages the person to throw their life away, which is unusual and unheard of advice.
See you in the crime file,
The unidentified person then warns the person that if they follow this advice, they will end up in the crime file, which is a record of criminal activity.
What will your mama say?
The unidentified person questions what the person's mother will say if they end up in trouble with the law.
Sometimes you get angry,
The first verse of the song shifts focus to the listener and discusses their emotions, starting with anger.
No focus in your life.
The song suggests that the listener lacks direction or purpose in their life.
When people get hungry,
The song states that when people are hungry or desperate, they are willing to do whatever it takes to survive.
They learn how to survive.
The song concludes that this willingness to survive motivates people to find ways to change every day.
[Chorus:]
Changing every day.
Changing every day.
Changing every day.
Changing every day.
The chorus emphasizes the song's message that change is ongoing and happening every day.
Summer syncopation,
The second verse of the song begins with a reference to a rhythmical pattern that is typically used in music during the summer months.
The space between your eyes.
The song describes the space between someone's eyes, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for their perspective on life.
Is a place for heroes,
The song suggests that someone's perspective or worldview is where 'heroes' are made who stand up for what they believe in and refuse to compromise.
That never compromise.
The song concludes that these 'heroes' never compromise their values, suggesting that this is a key factor in changing every day.
Sometimes you feel lonely,
The second verse continues discussing the listener's emotions, noting that sometimes they feel lonely.
No focus or surprise.
The song again notes the listener lacks focus or a sense of purpose in their life, which is also unexciting or surprising to them.
Pushed into production,
The song suggests that the listener is pushed or expected to work hard or produce results, regardless of how they feel or what they want.
What a way to live our lives.
The song concludes that this is not a fulfilling way to live life, and suggests that individuals should strive for more than just going through the motions of life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MICHAEL CRAIG, ROY HAY, JON MOSS, GEORGE O'DOWD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind