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.
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me love and steal
I have danced inside your eyes
How can I be real?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Precious kisses, words that burn me
In my heart the fire is burning
Choose my color, find a star
Precious people always tell me
That's a step, a step too far
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Words are few I have spoken
I could waste a thousand years
Wrapped in sorrow, words are token
Come inside and catch my tears
You've been talking but believe me
If it's true you do not know
This boy loves without a reason
I'm prepared to let you go
If it's love you want from me
Then take it away
Everything's not what you see
It's over again
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
The lyrics to Culture Club's song "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?" speak of a relationship on the brink of collapse due to misunderstanding and miscommunication. The singer pleads with their partner to give them a chance to realize their mistakes and make things right, but the partner seems intent on hurting them. The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship in turmoil, with the singer feeling caught in the middle, unable to decipher whether their partner truly loves them or wants to do them harm. The lines "I have danced inside your eyes/How can I be real?" suggest a sense of confusion and disorientation, as if the singer is struggling to ground themselves in this relationship.
The chorus of the song, with its repeated refrain of "Do you really want to hurt me?/Do you really want to make me cry?" emphasizes the emotional stakes of the situation at hand. The singer seems to be experiencing a great deal of pain and distress, and the lyrics imply that their partner is aware of this but may be intentionally causing harm anyway. The line "Lovers never ask you why" suggests that the partner is perhaps unmoved by the singer's suffering, or at least reluctant to engage with it.
Overall, the lyrics to "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?" speak to the difficulty of navigating relationships when trust is lacking and communication breaks down. The song's melancholic, introspective tone underscores the sense of hurt and confusion that can arise when two people are unable to connect and understand each other fully.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me time to realize my crime
I need some time to understand what I did wrong
Let me love and steal
Allow me to take your love even though it may not be right
I have danced inside your eyes
I have seen so much love in your eyes and it's overwhelming
How can I be real?
I feel like I need to be something else in order to be with you
Do you really want to hurt me?
Are you intentionally trying to cause me pain?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you want me to break down and show my vulnerability?
Precious kisses, words that burn me
Your love and affection is bittersweet and painful
Lovers never ask you why
Even though love can be complicated, we don't always ask questions
In my heart the fire is burning
I have so much passion inside me, it's overwhelming
Choose my color, find a star
When we're together, we can create something beautiful
Precious people always tell me, That's a step, a step too far
The people I love always warn me when I'm getting in over my head
Words are few I have spoken
I don't have the words to express how I feel
I could waste a thousand years
I would spend eternity waiting for you
Wrapped in sorrow, words are token
I'm sad and my words don't hold much meaning
Come inside and catch my tears
I need you to comfort me and wipe away my tears
You've been talking but believe me, If it's true you do not know
You say you know me, but you don't really understand what's in my heart
This boy loves without a reason, I'm prepared to let you go
I love you even though it doesn't always make sense, but I'm willing to let you go if it's for the best
If it's love you want from me, Then take it away
If all you want from me is love, I'll give it to you willingly
Everything's not what you see, It's over again
Appearances can be deceiving and our relationship is coming to an end
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: George O'Dowd, Jonathan Moss, Michael Craig, Nessa Barrett, Roy Ernest Hay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kenf3299
The man could sing.. no one will ever take that away from him.
@hakunamatata6864
The man
couldcan sing...@cathyc5108
in a way.... they did just that!
@zaravictoriawalker6461
He was dancing in background when the Jets were on top of the tops ❤❤
@janusconner3710
Agreed.👍
@jessygoofball4736
I remember when I bought this album as a kid, I played it so much that my sister said, "Yes, I really DO want to hurt you!" ☺
@alexpineda6294
Lollllll that was a really good one you sent it out of the stadium
@naynayelliott8323
LOL
@carlosjaras9640
Lol......
@Maya-ju4ex
Lmao, luv your sis!