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.
Colour By Numbers
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Felt the spirit of man
Demanding more than just a smile
Took a chance for a while
Speaking in tongues
That float us down rivers
The past will remind us
All colours we chose
Felt the spirit of love
Demanding more than compromise
Took a chance for a while
Speaking in tongues
That float us down rivers
The past will remind us
All colours we chose
Some people say that the way that we live
Is out of this place
And some people say that the way that we live
Is blinded by fate
All colours we chose
The lyrics of Culture Club's song Colour By Numbers capture the complex nature of relationships, especially when it comes to love and the choices we make. The opening lines, "When I looked in your eyes, felt the spirit of man, demanding more than just a smile," suggest that the singer has encountered someone special who they are attracted to at a deeper level. The use of the word "spirit" implies a connection that goes beyond physical appearance and hints at an emotional and perhaps spiritual connection.
The lines "Speaking in tongues that float us down rivers" add a layer of poetic imagery to the song. Here, the singer seems to be explaining the intangible nature of their connection, using the metaphor of a river to suggest that they are being carried along by a force that is beyond their control. The reference to "the past" reminds us that these choices and connections are not always easy or straightforward, but often come with emotional baggage that we carry with us.
The chorus, "All colours we chose" could be interpreted in different ways. On the one hand, it could refer to the choices we make in life, including who we love and the paths we take. Alternatively, it could be a reference to the diversity of humanity and the fact that we all bring different colours and experiences to the table, even when we come together in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
When I looked in your eyes
I saw beyond your exterior appearance and mannerisms; I saw a glimpse of who you truly are.
Felt the spirit of man
I sensed the inherent human connection that unites us all despite our various backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs.
Demanding more than just a smile
I realized that true human connection requires more than just superficial pleasantries; it requires openness, vulnerability, and effort.
Took a chance for a while
I took a risk by investing time, energy, and emotion in cultivating a deeper relationship with you.
Speaking in tongues
We communicated in a way that transcends language barriers and conventional modes of expression; we connected on a deeper, intuitive level.
That float us down rivers
Our connection carried us effortlessly downstream, like a leaf floating down a river, unhindered by external circumstances or obstacles.
The past will remind us
Our past experiences, both positive and negative, serve as a reminder of the lessons we've learned and the growth we've experienced as individuals and as a couple.
All colours we chose
We made deliberate choices regarding our attitudes, behaviors, and values, and those choices contributed to the unique, beautiful mosaic of our relationship.
When I told you those lies
I betrayed your trust and integrity by being dishonest about something important, and it created a rift in our relationship.
Felt the spirit of love
Despite the hurt and betrayal, I felt a deep, abiding love for you and a strong desire to repair our relationship.
Demanding more than compromise
I realized that true reconciliation and healing required more than just a half-hearted apology or minor concessions; it required a fundamental change in my attitude and behavior.
Some people say that the way that we live is out of this place
Some people criticize or judge our nonconformist, experimental lifestyle as unconventional or irrelevant to mainstream society.
And some people say that the way that we live is blinded by fate
Some people attribute our choices and experiences to mere chance or destiny, denying the agency and autonomy we possess as individuals.
All colours we chose
Despite external criticism or skepticism, we remain committed to our individual and collective choices and experiences, which form the unique, dynamic fabric of our lives.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEORGE ALAN O'DOWD, JONATHAN AUBREY MOSS, ROY ERNEST HAY, MICHAEL EMILE CRAIG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mickaël Binos
Tracklist:
0:00 Karma Chameleon
4:12 It's a Miracle
7:37 Black Money
12:56 Changing Every Day
16:14 That's the Way (I'm Only Trying to Help You)
19:01 Church of the Poison Mind
22:32 Miss Me Blind
27:03 Mister Man
30:38 Stormkeeper
33:27 Victims
Mickaël Binos
Tracklist:
0:00 Karma Chameleon
4:12 It's a Miracle
7:37 Black Money
12:56 Changing Every Day
16:14 That's the Way (I'm Only Trying to Help You)
19:01 Church of the Poison Mind
22:32 Miss Me Blind
27:03 Mister Man
30:38 Stormkeeper
33:27 Victims
José Villagrán
@Stanislaw Llamuca google them
Stanislaw Llamuca
lyrics?
The Espíndolla´s Channel
Thx Dude!
Christiane Fonseca
Obrigada! Beijos do, Brasil 😍💞💋
Jhoseph Antonio Tarazona arteaga
Thanks
Alex Rodriguez
Simply one of the best albums of all time. They DO NOT get better than this. Boy George is a living legend. Long live the 80s!!!
Less Is More
80s teens are lucky I wasn’t around until 91
Shawn Begay
Back when "Karma Chameleon" was at the top of the charts in February 1984 (I was almost 18), I would have never gave this album a listen. I was a metalhead and listened to Judas Priest and Accept. Back then, I dismissed this as being wimpy. I still listen to Accept and Judas Priest, but now I'm listening to "Colour By Numbers". I just turned 56 a few days ago. I gained an education in 60's R&B, pop and the British Invasion and can fully enjoy Culture Club of the Second British Invasion.
Listening to this album, I can escape the news of the latest school mass shooting, Russian invasion of Ukraine and the economic turmoil of 2022.
KoolerTrek
Saw them in London in the heyday. George and Helen Terry are amazing live! ✝️