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.
Church Of The Poison Mind
Culture Club Lyrics
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You used and made my life so sweet
Step out like a god found child
I saw your eyes across the street
Who would be the fool to take you
Be more that just kind?
Step into a life of maybe
Love is hard to find in the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
Watch me clinging to the beat
I had to fight to make it mine
That religion you could sink it neat
Just move your feet an' you'll feel fine
Who would be the fool to maybe
Trick a kiss in time?
Who am I to say that's crazy?
Love will make you blind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
Desolate loving in your eyes
You used and made my life so sweet
Step out like a god found child
I saw your eyes across the street
Who would be the fool to take you
Be more that just kind?
Step into a life of maybe
Love is hard to find in the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
In the church of the poison mind
The lyrics of Culture Club's "Church of the Poison Mind" explore the disillusionment of love in a world that is filled with deceit and lies. The song begins with the vocalist noting the desolate love in the eyes of their partner who had used and made their life so sweet. The lines 'Step out like a god found child, I saw your eyes across the street' suggest the initial attraction the vocalist felt for their partner. However, they are torn between their feelings and the knowledge that the relationship is unsustainable as love is hard to find in the 'church of the poison mind.' The phrase 'church of the poison mind' could refer to the societal institutions that hinder genuine connection and love or materialism and consumerism that focus on the superficial rather than the essential.
The chorus, 'In the church of the poison mind', is repeated numerous times suggesting the widespread nature of the problems the vocalist is referring to. The lyrics 'Watch me clinging to the beat, I had to fight to make it mine' could suggest the difficulties and the struggles required to stay true to oneself in a toxic society. The song ends with the same verse as the beginning, indicating that the singer is still unsure about whether to leave or stay in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Desolate loving in your eyes
The love that can be seen in your sad eyes is overwhelming and all-consuming.
You used and made my life so sweet
You were the source of my happiness and fulfilled my life with sweetness, but now you have gone.
Step out like a god found child
You are confident in your behavior as though some higher deity has found and blessed you.
I saw your eyes across the street
I caught a glimpse of your eyes from far away and felt their piercing gaze upon me.
Who would be the fool to take you
Who could be foolish enough to fall for your charms and risk being hurt by your poisonous ways?
Be more than just kind?
Is there more to your outward kindness than meets the eye, hiding a darker motive or intention?
Step into a life of maybe
Take the chance to live a life of possibilities, even if the outcome is uncertain.
Love is hard to find in the church of the poison mind
It is difficult to find true love when surrounded by people with ulterior motives and poisoned hearts.
Watch me clinging to the beat
Observe how I hold onto the rhythm of the music, finding solace and distraction in its driving force.
I had to fight to make it mine
I had to struggle to claim my right to enjoy music and art, despite the judgement and criticism of those around me.
That religion you could sink it neat
The religious beliefs that are pushed upon you can be easily swallowed without question or examination.
Just move your feet an' you'll feel fine
Simply dancing along to the music can create a temporary feeling of happiness and ease in troubled times.
Who would be the fool to maybe
Who would be willing to gamble on an uncertain possibility, risking everything for a slim chance of success?
Trick a kiss in time?
Can a fleeting moment of physical intimacy be enough to deceive and distract from the real intentions of the other person?
Who am I to say that's crazy?
Who am I, with my flaws and shortcomings, to judge the choices and actions of others?
Love will make you blind
Falling in love can make you oblivious to red flags and warning signs, leading to mistakes and heartache.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GEORGE ALAN O'DOWD, JONATHAN AUBREY MOSS, MICHAEL EMILE CRAIG, ROY ERNEST HAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind