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.
Hello Goodbye
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Goodbye
The rhythm of the jungle
A temperamental beast
Makes the mountain tremble
If I ask you to stay
You might leave anyway
But the situation´s fallen from my hands
Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Goodbye
I feel exasperation
Get down on your knees
I called the operator
But this is where I freeze
I said hello
I said hello
I said hello
I´ve got to go
Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Goodbye
Do you love me?
Do you love me? No
Do you love me?
Do you love me? No
I´ve got to go
Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Goodbye
The lyrics to Culture Club's song "Hello Goodbye" are about the frustration and confusion of communication and relationships. The opening phrase of "hello hello goodbye" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the fleeting nature of the interactions and the uncertainty of the singer's situation. The second verse describes a jungle and a temperamental beast, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the unpredictable nature of love and communication. The singer then laments the fact that even if they ask someone to stay, they may still leave, highlighting the powerlessness and helplessness they feel in the situation.
In the chorus, the repetition of "hello hello goodbye" becomes even more insistent, conveying the rapidity and lack of control that the singer is experiencing. They then express their exasperation and their sense of being brought to their knees, demonstrating the emotional toll that this situation is taking on them. The reference to calling the operator seems to suggest that the singer is trying to reach out for help or guidance, but ultimately feels frozen and unable to take action.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello hello goodbye
Greeting and parting are both necessary in life
Hello hello goodbye
Sometimes both hello and goodbye must be repeated
Hello hello goodbye
Greetings may indicate partings soon to come, and vice versa
Goodbye
Farewell, until we meet again
The rhythm of the jungle
Nature is wild and unpredictable
A temperamental beast
It can be difficult to control or understand the forces of nature
Makes the mountain tremble
Nature can have a great impact on the environment around it
Brings giants to their knees
Even the strongest and most powerful beings can be humbled by nature's forces
If I ask you to stay
Requesting someone to stay doesn't guarantee they will
You might leave anyway
Individuals have autonomy and may make their own choices despite the effects on others
But the situation´s fallen from my hands
Some situations are beyond our control despite our best efforts
I feel exasperation
Sometimes situations can cause distress and frustration
Get down on your knees
Desperate times require desperate measures
I called the operator
Asking for help or guidance is sometimes necessary
But this is where I freeze
Sometimes help isn't available or isn't enough
I said hello
Spoke a greeting
I said hello
Repeated the greeting
I said hello
Said it again
I´ve got to go
I must depart
Do you love me?
Asked the question of affection
Do you love me? No
Received a negative response to the question of affection
Do you love me?
Asked the question of affection again
Do you love me? No
Received another negative response to the question of affection
I´ve got to go
I must depart
Hello hello goodbye
Greetings and farewells are cyclical
Hello hello goodbye
They can be fluid, and repeat themselves over and over
Hello hello goodbye
Ultimately, all greetings must turn into goodbyes
Goodbye
Until next time
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SARAH ASSBRING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind