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.
From Luxury To Heartache
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yeah
Oh luxury and heartache
Oh yeah
I won't be coming home tomorrow
Nobody there to catch my tears
I won't be leaving tears of sorrow anymore
If I cry, will you catch my fall
Do you want me to be the same
If I cry, will you catch my fall
Am I playing the loser's game?
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way to find that you were mourning
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way you gave me little warning
She will be there to give you children, yes she will
She will be there to make you sing, sing, sing
I won't be standing in the shadows anymore
I learned to cover up my pain
If I cry will you catch my fall
Do you want me to be the same
If I cry will you catch my fall
Am I playing the loser's game?
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way to find that you were mourning
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way you gave me little warning
Gave me love
You gave your love to me
You gave me love
But it's not enough for me
Oh luxury
But all you give me is pain
Again and again
Luxury is sweet and so cool
If I cry will you catch my fall
Do you want me to be the same
If I cry will you catch my fall
Am I playing the loser's game?
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way to find that you were mourning
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way you gave me little warning
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way to find that you were mourning
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way you gave me, gave me no warning
The lyrics of Culture Club's "From Luxury to Heartache" portrays a relationship that started with luxury and ended with heartache. The song starts off with the singer accepting that he won't be coming home tomorrow, and there's nobody there to catch his tears. He describes how he played that game for so many years, leaving tears of sorrow. The singer questions if crying will make any difference, and if someone would catch his fall. He wonders if he's playing the loser's game and if it's worth it.
As the song progresses, the singer realizes that he's come a long way from feeling luxurious to dealing with heartache. He talks about how he's learned to stop standing in shadows and cover up his pain. The singer then adds that his partner will be there to give children and make him sing, but he will no longer play along. He is tired of receiving love from his partner that causes him pain repeatedly. He understands that luxury may be sweet, but it often comes with a price.
Overall, the lyrics of "From Luxury to Heartache" talk about how love can turn sour and how the effects of it can take a toll on someone's life, leading to heartbreak. The singer tries to question if it's worth the pain and if he should keep playing along.
Line by Line Meaning
Luxury and heartache
The two extremes of emotion that the singer experiences in their relationship.
I won't be coming home tomorrow
The singer is leaving their home and their relationship behind.
Nobody there to catch my tears
The singer has no emotional support or comfort in their relationship.
I played that game for so many years
The artist has been in this toxic relationship for a long time.
If I cry, will you catch my fall
The artist wonders if their partner will be there for them in their time of need.
Do you want me to be the same
The singer feels like their partner wants them to be someone they’re not.
From luxury to heartache
A reflection on the rollercoaster of emotions the singer has experienced in this relationship.
She will be there to give you children, yes she will
The artist’s partner has moved on and found someone else to build a life with.
I won't be standing in the shadows anymore
The artist is no longer willing to be in the background or hidden in their relationship.
I learned to cover up my pain
The artist has become an expert at hiding their emotions and pain.
You gave me love, but it's not enough for me
The singer realizes that pure love is not enough to make a relationship work.
Luxury is sweet and so cool
The artist acknowledges the appeal of materialistic luxuries but realizes their emptiness.
From luxury to heartache, such a long way you gave me little warning
The singer reflects on how quickly and unexpectedly their relationship went from good to bad.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GEORGE O'DOWD, JON MOSS, MICHAEL CRAIG, PHIL PICKETT, ROY HAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paranoid Potato's Music Jam
Luxury and heartache
I won't be coming home tomorrow
Nobody there to catch my tears
I won't be leaving tears of sorrow anymore
I played that game for so many years
If I cry, will you catch my fall
Do you want me to be the same
If I cry, will you catch my fall
Am I playing the loser's game
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way to find that you were mourning
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way you gave me little warning
She will be there to give you children, yes she will
She will be there to make you sing
I won't be standing in the shadows anymore
I learned to cover up my pain
If I cry will you catch my fall
Do you want me to be the same
If I cry will you catch my fall
Am I playing the loser's game
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way to find that you were mourning
From luxury to heartache
Such a long way you gave me little warning
Gave me love
You gave your love to me
You gave me love
But it's not enough for me
Luxury
But all you give me is pain
Again and again
Luxury is sweet and so cool
Joey Daly
Love love Helen Terry's backing vocals on this track. Its a shame that the music industry left such a bad taste in her mouth. Its also a shame that she was not able to share more of her talent with the world.
showjumper05
She’s brilliant and can listen to this track over and over again
John Wihebrink
George's sadness is palpable in this song. Very emotive vocals. Love it. Should've been included on the album
JeuneFilleaCarnival
This has always been one of my absolute favourite Culture Club songs. If not THE very best one. So Brilliant. Along with 'The dream' , CC at their very most magical. Beautiful video too, love!
maria luisa gonzalez lopez
El mismo angel embelleciendonos con su voz...I LOVE YOU BOY GEORGE
John Wihebrink
Boy George is such a great singer and song writer. I love his voice and his "voice", always so much to say that's insightful, intelligent, funny, and right-on. He's an underrated genius. I can't believe no one has posted a video from Work On Me Baby, a great pop song from the FLTH era.
Free In Christ /BillSelph'
Love Work on me Baby.
Piers Plowman
Great song-I doubt it then if they realized what a Gem it was.
Marcelo de Oliveira Santos
Underrated track.
Sere Rotaru
From luxury .... to heartache. it`s like Queens "Show must go on" ... The end a beautiful story, of a beautiful band. Love this guys ... boy george and culture club have songs for all my moods and emotions!