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.
Dangerous Man
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How could you value his intentions?
Martin had the devil just like anyone can
He spoke words they were frightened to mention
[Chorus:]
Yesterday ain't gone
We just pushed it aside
There ain't nowhere you can hide
There's a different smile on your face today
Though you wear it well there's a lot to say
There's a different mood in the world tonight
If we can do it good we can do it right
John he washed it over with a confidence tan
I know peace and love ain't prevention
Brian in the closet with his master-plan
Build them up its so sad they forget you
[Chorus]
[Repeat: x2]
Are we not men, did you save us?
Are we not men, did you try, did you try?
We have been [Repeat: x3]
We have been denied
I could word it out like a dangerous man
If they landed here we'd collect them
Yellow, black or white here in the circus of man
I don't know, I don't care, I forget you
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Culture Club's song, Dangerous Man, delve into the human nature of evil and our tendency to overlook it. The song describes how Martin, like every person, had a dark side that he concealed through his words, which frightened those who heard them. The chorus then serves as a reminder that the past is not gone, it is still present with us; we cannot hide from it. The different moods and the smile on peoples' faces today, despite the sadness and despair underlining it, is an indication that we can change our situation, as long as we are willing to do things right, and good.
The verses of the song introduce us to John, who exaggerates his confidence, and Brian, who has a masterplan but ends up feeling forgotten, and irrelevant. The phrase "we have been denied" that is repeated at the end of the song could refer to the denial of justice or equal opportunity to certain people. Finally, the line 'yellow, black, or white here in the circus of man, I don't know, I don't care, I forget you' suggests that the singer is indifferent to the issues of race and discrimination, despite the ongoing problems of racism in society.
Line by Line Meaning
He could word it out like a dangerous man
He was skilled at manipulating others through his words, making him potentially dangerous.
How could you value his intentions?
It was difficult to determine his true motives and intentions.
Martin had the devil just like anyone can
Just like anyone, Martin had the capacity to do evil.
He spoke words they were frightened to mention
His words were powerful enough to intimidate others into silence.
Yesterday ain't gone
The past still affects us today.
We just pushed it aside
Rather than confronting the past, we have ignored it.
Out in the jungle
The world is a dangerous place.
There ain't nowhere you can hide
There is no escape from the dangers of the world.
There's a different smile on your face today
You are pretending to be happy, despite underlying emotions or problems.
Though you wear it well there's a lot to say
You may be concealing your true feelings or intentions.
There's a different mood in the world tonight
Something has changed in the world, and we are not sure what it is.
If we can do it good we can do it right
If we work together and do things well, we can succeed.
John he washed it over with a confidence tan
John tried to cover up his lack of confidence with a fake sense of assurance.
I know peace and love ain't prevention
Even if we promote peace and love, it may not prevent harm or tragedy.
Brian in the closet with his master-plan
Brian had a secret strategy or plan for success.
Build them up its so sad they forget you
Even if you help others achieve success, they may still forget you or not appreciate your actions.
Are we not men, did you save us?
Are we not humans, and are we not in need of saving?
Are we not men, did you try, did you try?
Are we not humans, and did you try to help us?
We have been [Repeat: x3]
We have experienced something negative or harmful.
We have been denied
We have not been given what we need or deserve.
I could word it out like a dangerous man
I too have the ability to manipulate others with my words.
If they landed here we'd collect them
If extraterrestrial beings came to Earth, we would study or capture them.
Yellow, black or white here in the circus of man
In human society, race does not matter and we are all part of the same spectacle or show.
I don't know, I don't care, I forget you
I am indifferent towards you and do not want to bother remembering you.
[Chorus]
Refrain with the previously mentioned lyrics.
[Repeat: x2]
Repeated twice, the same line before it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEORGE O'DOWD, JON MOSS, MICHAEL CRAIG, ROY HAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind