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.
Hiroshima
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You cheat and lie, just to survive
Shake the money tree, heed the warning signs
Where lovers lie, not parricides
What would you give to be the master of your life?
This struggle is such a waste of time, yours and mine
My blood, my money too
I'm not afraid to run to you 'cause I get lonely too
No one knows you, like I do
You've got Hiroshima, inside, where lovers lie
What would you give to be the master of your life?
'Cause struggle is such a waste of time, yours and mine
I give you these eyes that I see through
My blood, my money too
I'm not afraid to run to you 'cause I feel lonely too
No one knows you, like I do
What would you give to be the master of your life?
The struggle is such a waste of time, yours and mine
I give you these eyes that I see through
My blood, my money too
I'm not afraid to run to you 'cause I get lonely
I give you these eyes that I see through
My blood, my money too
I'm not afraid to run to you 'cause I get lonely too
I give you these eyes that I see through
My blood, my money too
I'm not afraid to run to you 'cause I get lonely
The lyrics of Culture Club's song "Hiroshima" are about the struggle for survival in a world of greed and deceit. The titular reference to Hiroshima, a city devastated by the atomic bomb in 1945, serves as a metaphor for the destructive power of greed and the need to find love and connection amidst this chaos.
The song opens with the line "You've got Hiroshima, going cough inside," which suggests that the destructive power of greed and deceit has taken root within the listener. The song then goes on to describe the lengths to which people will go to survive in this world, "You cheat and lie, just to survive" and the warning signs that are ignored in this pursuit, "Shake the money tree, heed the warning signs." Despite this struggle, the song offers the hope of genuine connection, "No one knows you, like I do."
The repeated refrain of "What would you give to be the master of your life?" highlights the desire for control and autonomy in a world that often feels chaotic and uncontrollable. The song offers the idea that this struggle is a waste of time, and that true fulfillment comes not from material possessions or power, but from human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got Hiroshima, going cough inside
You possess something explosive and destructive inside you, which can cause harm and chaos.
You cheat and lie, just to survive
You resort to dishonesty and deception in order to get by and stay alive.
Shake the money tree, heed the warning signs
You make greedy and reckless decisions, disregarding the signs of danger and impending consequences.
Where lovers lie, not parricides
You find yourself in a place where romantic relationships exist, but not those between parent and child.
What would you give to be the master of your life?
What sacrifices would you make in order to have complete control over your own life and destiny?
This struggle is such a waste of time, yours and mine
This difficult and pointless battle is taking up valuable time and energy that could be better spent elsewhere.
I give you these eyes that I see through
I offer you my perspective and insight.
My blood, my money too
I am willing to give everything I have, including my life and finances.
I'm not afraid to run to you 'cause I get lonely too
I am not scared to come to you for companionship and support, as I also experience feelings of loneliness.
No one knows you, like I do
I have a deep understanding of who you are and what you are capable of, more so than anyone else.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GEORGE ALAN O'DOWD, JOHN THEMISTOCLEOUS, RICHARD STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind