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.
Mistake No. 3
Culture Club Lyrics
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You can't by stand all the people
Stand them on their own
They will fall to pieces
So we watch them grow
Into strange and pretty faces
I don't know
Clutching to my lipstick traces
And make mistake number three, yeah (ooh, mistake number three)
Make mistake number three (ooh, mistake number three)
Make mistake number three, yeah (ooh, mistake number three)
Make mistake number three (ooh, mistake number three)
It's strange how much it changes
How they want to know
How cynical are people
That's where children go
Dragged into a conversation
They can't hold
It's so sad
But it prepares them for the mold
And make mistake number three, yeah (ooh, mistake number three)
Make mistake number three (ooh, mistake number three)
Make mistake number three, yeah (ooh, mistake number three)
Make mistake number three (ooh, mistake number three)
Why is my love like an ocean run dry?
And why is my love
Such a struggle with life?
You can"t by stand all the people
Stand them on their own
They will fall to pieces
So we watch them grow
Ooh
Make mistake number three, yeah (ooh, mistake number three)
Make mistake number three (ooh, mistake number three)
Make mistake number three, yeah (ooh, mistake number three)
Make mistake number three (ooh, mistake number three)
Make a mistake (ooh, mistake number three)
Ooh
Mistake number three, yeah yeah (ooh)
That's mistake number three
Mistakes you make, mistakes you make, mistakes you make (mistake number three)
Mistake (mistake number three)
The lyrics of Culture Club's song "Mistake No. 3" explore the flaws of society and its impact on children. The opening lines suggest that people cannot stand on their own and are prone to falling apart. The song goes on to describe the process of growing up and how it changes individuals. The songwriter expresses his concern about the way society affects children and how they become cynical and lose their innocence as they become more aware of the world around them. The lyrics describe children being dragged into adult conversations and being exposed to things that they cannot yet comprehend, and how it prepares them to fit into the mold of society.
The chorus is an ironic repetition of the phrase "make mistake number three," highlighting the fact that while society teaches children to conform, they are also expected to make mistakes along the way. The song's refrain seems to suggest that society expects children to make mistakes, but it also implies that the third mistake is crucial as it represents a shift from innocence to experience.
The chorus is also heard in the outro, where Boy George sings about "mistakes you make" repeatedly. The song ends with a repetition of the lyrics "Make a mistake" and "Mistake number three" as if to remind us that mistakes are an inherent part of life and that we all need to be prepared to make them.
Overall, "Mistake No. 3" is a poignant commentary on the way society shapes children and their perception of the world. It reminds us of the importance of retaining our innocence and individuality in a world that expects us to conform.
Line by Line Meaning
Da da da da da da do do do do da da da da da do do
The repetition of syllables and beats add emphasis to the following lyrics.
You can't by stand all the people
It's impossible to tolerate all people.
Stand them on their own
If people are left alone, they may struggle.
They will fall to pieces
Without support, people may struggle or not succeed.
So we watch them grow
We observe people's development.
Into strange and pretty faces
People's appearance and character may change during development.
I don't know
The singer is uncertain.
Clutching to my lipstick traces
The artist is holding onto things from their past.
Watch them go
Observe their departure.
And make mistake number three, yeah (ooh, mistake number three)
People may make the same mistakes multiple times.
It's strange how much it changes
People's transformation may be surprising.
How they want to know
People may be curious about things.
How cynical are people
People can be distrustful or negative.
That's where children go
Children may be exposed to this pessimism.
Dragged into a conversation
Children may be forced into a discussion.
They can't hold
Children may be unable to handle the discussion.
It's so sad
The situation is upsetting.
But it prepares them for the mold
The experience may shape the children's beliefs or behavior.
Why is my love like an ocean run dry?
The singer's love has diminished.
And why is my love
The artist repeats their question, emphasizing their confusion.
Such a struggle with life?
The artist may be having a hard time in their personal life.
Ooh
An exclamation of sound.
Make a mistake (ooh, mistake number three)
Encouragement to make more mistakes.
That's mistake number three
A reference to repeating past errors.
Mistakes you make, mistakes you make, mistakes you make (mistake number three)
Repeated failures.
Mistake (mistake number three)
Emphasizing the importance of recognizing past errors.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEORGE O'DOWD, JON MOSS, MICHAEL CRAIG, ROY HAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind