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.
Confidence Trick
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You come with your lawyers and your alibi
How can you look me straight in the eye
When you know
The clock on the wall is singing our song
The love in my heart is all dead and gone
You know why
There you go with your confidence trick
I'm much too wise, you don't fool me a bit
Feeling so low and looking so high
We both know that your truth is a lie
I never really knew you all these years
You lied to my face while I undressed your fears
Then you set me a-sail on an ocean of tears
Said goodbye
The clock on the wall is ticking real slow
There's nothing to say and there's nowhere to go
You know why
You know why
There, there you go with your confidence trick
I'm much too wise, you don't fool me a bit, no no
Feeling so low and looking so high
We both know that your truth is a lie
It's a lie
Looking up to the truth of what you are
Blinding all colours and beauty
And the sparkle in your eye is blinding
The clock on the wall is singing our song
The love in my heart is all dead and gone
You know why
You know why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
There, there you go with your confidence trick
I'm much too wise, you don't fool me a bit
Feeling so low and looking so high
We both know that your truth is a lie
It's a lie, lie
[Repeats]
(The truth is, the truth is a lie)
And you never stopped loving me
Choking back tears for you
So lovable
And we never go
And we never know
See I'm over
But I'm under
I don't ever wanna come down
I don't ever wanna come down
I don't ever wanna come down
To where you are
In Culture Club's "Confidence Trick," the singer expresses betrayal by someone they trusted who has hurt them deeply. The song starts with the singer admitting that they did not intend to hurt the person who has betrayed them, but they are confused as to why this person has come with their lawyers and alibis. The clock serves as a metaphor throughout the song, reminding the singer that time is passing and that their love has died. The singer understands that the person who betrayed them is playing a "confidence trick," but they are too smart to be fooled. Ultimately, the singer is trying to distance themselves from the toxic situation and move on to a better place.
The lyrics of the song are quite straightforward, but the title is more layered. A confidence trick is a scheme in which a person gains the trust of another through deception, usually with the goal of financial gain. In this song, the singer is suggesting that the person who hurt them was playing a confidence trick not for money, but for their emotional and mental wellbeing. The song is a warning to be cautious of people who are not sincere or genuine, as they can cause great harm.
Line by Line Meaning
Never meant to hurt you, I don't know why
I did not intend to cause you pain, and I am not sure why you are accusing me
You come with your lawyers and your alibi
You have brought legal representation and an explanation in order to defend yourself
How can you look me straight in the eye
How can you maintain eye contact with me while continuing to lie
When you know
When it is clear that you are lying
The clock on the wall is singing our song
Time has run out on our relationship
The love in my heart is all dead and gone
I no longer have feelings of love for you
You know why
You are aware of the reason why our love has ended
There you go with your confidence trick
You are resorting to your usual manipulative tactics
I'm much too wise, you don't fool me a bit
I am too intelligent to be fooled by your deceit
Feeling so low and looking so high
You appear confident and happy despite knowing the truth
We both know that your truth is a lie
You and I are aware that you are not telling the truth
I never really knew you all these years
I have never truly understood your character during our years together
You lied to my face while I undressed your fears
You deceived me while I was caring for your emotional needs
Then you set me a-sail on an ocean of tears
You caused me to cry rivers of tears as a result of your actions
Said goodbye
You ended the relationship
The clock on the wall is ticking real slow
Time is moving very slowly as I deal with the aftermath of our breakup
There's nothing to say and there's nowhere to go
The conversation has ended, and there are no more options
It's a lie
Your story is not true
Looking up to the truth of what you are
I am now seeing the real you, stripped of all deception and lies
Blinding all colours and beauty
Your actions have obscured all the beauty in our relationship
And the sparkle in your eye is blinding
Your charm and wit can no longer distract me from the truth
Why, why, why, why, why, why
I am questioning why our love failed
And you never stopped loving me
You never lost your feelings for me, despite your deceit
Choking back tears for you
I am holding back tears because of my care for you, despite everything
So lovable
You are still very likable despite your wrongdoings
And we never go
Our love is everlasting and will never fade away
And we never know
We could never have predicted the outcome of our relationship
See I'm over
I have moved on from our relationship
But I'm under
Despite having moved on, I am still dealing with the emotions from our breakup
I don't ever wanna come down
I do not want to become as dishonest and manipulative as you are
To where you are
To where you currently reside emotionally and mentally
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROY ERNEST HAY, GEORGE ALAN O'DOWD, MICHAEL E. CRAIG, JONATHAN AUBREY MOSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind