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.
I Pray
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saying things that you don´t understand
Just keep on walking
And tell ´em you don´t give a damn!
Don´t call me brother, I ain´t your brother
We need more than crime prevention
We need more than ecstasy
Better keep your hands off me
And I pray, I pray
I´ve been on my knees all day
And I pray, I pray
I hear every word you say
Take a look at that cat
It´s a game they play with people
Kiss and count the enemy
I don´t cry when I feel the tension
I have state security
This ain´t a revolution
That´s just people talking
Ain´t a revolution
Say, say it again
If I never get caught
I´ll be here all night
Doing things I know ain´t right
Fifty seven dreams ago
That´s the problem if you´re slow
I ain´t your brother
The lyrics to Culture Club's song "I Pray" touch on themes of rebellion and individualism. The first few lines encourage the listener to tune out the voices around them that they don't understand, and to not care about the opinions of others. The next lines reveal the complicated relationship between the singer and their community - they don't want to be part of it, and they don't want the community to assume a familial closeness that is not there. The singer then goes on to express frustration with their current social and political situation, stating that relying on crime prevention and ecstasy is not enough - they need police protection. Despite this, the singer maintains their resolve and even suggests that they have some kind of state security.
The song's chorus, "And I pray, I pray, I've been on my knees all day," adds a religious element to the song, suggesting that the singer is turning to a higher power or seeking inner strength to maintain their sense of self in the face of external pressures. The final lines of the song tie everything together with a sense of reckoning - "If I never get caught, I'll be here all night, doing things I know ain't right. Fifty-seven dreams ago, that's the problem if you're slow. I ain't your brother." These lyrics suggest that the singer sees themselves as an outsider, someone who is willing to take risks and make choices that aren't necessarily socially acceptable. The phrase "fifty-seven dreams ago" also adds a surreal element to the song, implying that the singer's sense of self is not grounded in reality, but rather in something deeper and more subjective.
Overall, "I Pray" is a song that encourages individualistic rebellion and self-reliance in the face of external pressures to conform. The lyrics are cryptic and full of symbolism, but the central message remains clear - be yourself, even if it means breaking the rules.
Line by Line Meaning
When you hear them talking
When other people are talking about you or things you don't understand
Saying things that you don´t understand
When they are saying things that don't make sense or that you don't get
Just keep on walking
Ignore them and move on with your life
And tell ´em you don´t give a damn!
And let them know that you don't care about what they say
Don´t call me brother, I ain´t your brother
Don't use familial or friendly terms with me
We need more than crime prevention
We need more than just stopping crime from happening
We need more than ecstasy
We need more than just happiness or pleasure
We´ll be needing police protection
We'll need help from the authorities to keep us safe
Better keep your hands off me
Don't touch me or come anywhere near me
And I pray, I pray
And I hope and pray
I´ve been on my knees all day
I've spent all day praying
And I pray, I pray
And I hope and pray
I hear every word you say
I'm listening to everything you say
Take a look at that cat
Look at that guy over there
It´s a game they play with people
They are playing games with us
Kiss and count the enemy
They are being friendly with their enemies
I don´t cry when I feel the tension
I don't show my emotions even when things get tense
I have state security
I am protected by the government
This ain´t a revolution
This isn't a rebellion or uprising
That´s just people talking
It's just people expressing their opinions
Ain´t a revolution
It's not a rebellion or uprising
Say, say it again
Tell me one more time
If I never get caught
If I don't get caught
I´ll be here all night
I'll stay here all night
Doing things I know ain´t right
Doing things that I know are wrong
Fifty seven dreams ago
A long time ago, in the past
That´s the problem if you´re slow
That's what happens if you're not fast enough
I ain´t your brother
I am not your friend or ally
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PHILIP STUART PICKETT, CULTURE CLUB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind