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.
One On One
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're in our never splendour
Flowers, showers
Who's got the new boy gender?
I'll be your baby, I'll be your score
I'll run the gun for you and so much more
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble
Uptown their sound is like the native you send her
Junction, function the boy with pop is slender
Did he say maybe or I'm not sure?
He'll be a boy for you but you need more
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for you
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble
I get a crazy feeling that chases in my head
It's nothing that you do to me
It's nothing that you said
It's love in stereo
And when I can't let got I say
I'll be your baby
I'll be your score
I'll run the gun for you and so much more
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble
Downtown we'll drown
We're in our never splendour
Flowers, showers
Who's got the new boy gender?
I'll be your baby, I'll be your score
I'll run the gun for you and so much more
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for you
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble
The lyrics of Culture Club's song "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" are open to interpretation. One interpretation is that the song is about a person who is willing to do anything for their lover. The beginning of the song paints a picture of two people drowning in the beauty of the city, surrounded by flowers and rain. The lyrics suggest that the singer is asking who has the ability to provide them with a new type of love, one that transcends traditional gender roles. The singer is promising to be there for their lover, to be their "baby", and to do anything and everything for them, including risking their own safety.
The chorus of the song, "I'll tumble for ya," suggests a willingness to do anything, even fall down or take a tumble, for the person they love. The second verse introduces a new character, "the boy with pop is slender." This character is described as being uncertain or indecisive, possibly about his gender or sexuality. The singer recognizes this uncertainty and offers to be there for him, promising to "run the gun" for him and do whatever it takes to support him.
The last verse suggests that the singer is experiencing a powerful feeling of love and devotion, perhaps even an obsession, that they cannot ignore. They are willing to do anything for their lover, no matter what the cost. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song reinforces this promise of devotion and self-sacrifice.
Line by Line Meaning
Downtown we'll drown
Even though we may not be in the safest part of town, we are having a lot of fun
We're in our never splendour
We feel like we are in our own little world where everything is perfect
Flowers, showers
The environment around us is vibrant and full of life
Who's got the new boy gender?
We are not sure who is the best fit to become the newest member of our community
I'll be your baby, I'll be your score
I will do anything to help you and make you happy
I'll run the gun for you and so much more
I will take on any challenges or obstacles for you
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya
I am willing to do whatever it takes to show my love and loyalty
Uptown their sound is like the native you send her
In the more affluent neighborhoods, the music has a more familiar sound
Junction, function the boy with pop is slender
We are looking for a boy with style and flare to add to our group
Did he say maybe or I'm not sure?
We are not sure if he is interested or not
He'll be a boy for you but you need more
Even if he agrees to join us, we know we need more to truly be complete
I get a crazy feeling that chases in my head
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with emotions and thoughts
It's nothing that you do to me
Your actions are not the cause of the strong feelings I have
It's nothing that you said
Your words are not the cause of the strong feelings I have
It's love in stereo
My feelings are amplified when I'm with you or when I think about you
And when I can't let go, I say
I am so committed to you that I can't imagine leaving you, even if things get tough
I'll tumble for ya, I'll tumble for ya
I am willing to risk everything for you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MICHAEL CRAIG, ROY HAY, JON MOSS, GEORGE O'DOWD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Zeldafan3333333
Only in Boy George’s imagination could there be an interracial dance party led by a gay gypsy on a steamboat in 1870s Mississippi
@donniedahlia2031
Probably would’ve been a good time though
@user-tv9rt5ud2s
And yet it's so beautiful lmao
@StevenRainmaker
You earned my loud chuckle for today, Noah
@samralph4112
Hahahaha....
But it's beautiful as depicted
@JennieSmith8156
So true
@theenglishcafeclub5700
My mum was walkinmg her dog beside the river in Weybridge Surrey when she heard music in the distance and this boat came past with George and co miming and dancing while they filmed it. She still remembers it at 96 years old.
@nefenze3924
You can't make this stuff up.
@aquamann9159
@@nefenze3924 dont be a jerk
@neferpitou7796
Cool