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.
Reasons
Culture Club Lyrics
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Many lives they go
Without reason
In my heart I know
I cannot let go
Without reason
Little children don´t you feel so sad
You got a reason, oh you got a reason
Oh woman, I gave my heart to you
When I found out what you´ve been through
You got a reason, oh you got a reason
Many lives they come, many lives they go
Without a reason in your heart how could you know?
In my heart I know, I know I cannot let go
Without a reason in my heart how could you know?
(I know)
When they find you crying sorrow tears
And it´s too late after all these years
You got a reason, gimme that reason
I´ts boys be strong and girls be weak
But children, careful how you speak
You got a reason, gimme that reason
Many lives they come, many lives they go
Without a reason in your heart how could you know?
In my heart I know, I know I cannot let go
Gotta reason in my heart and don´t you know?
(Yes I know)
I believe in love
I believe in you baby
What about love?, What about love?, What about love?
Give it to me, give it to me give it to me yeah
You gotta give me a reason baby
You gotta give me a reason baby
Oh yeah, oh yeah baby
Little children don´t you feel so sad
When you come home feeling lost and bad
You got a reason, you got a reason
Reason
Believe it in your heart and it will show
Reason
It´s too late, that reason
Don´t let it go
I´ts boys be strong and girls be weak
But children, careful how you speak
You got a reason, gimme that reason
Oh yeah, oh baby
That reason
Oh yeah, oh baby
Don´t let it go
The song Reasons by Culture Club is a ballad about the importance of holding on to the reasons that make life worth living, even when things get tough. The opening lyrics set the tone as the singer acknowledges that many lives come and go without reason. However, he cannot let go of the reasons that keep him going. The song then moves into verses that speak to the struggles of different groups: little children who feel lost and bad, women who have been through hardship, and boys who are expected to be strong and girls who are expected to be weak. The repeated refrain of "you got a reason, give me that reason" highlights the importance of holding onto those reasons, even when they may be hard to find.
The song's message is one of hope, encouraging listeners to hold on to the good in life even when it's difficult. The references to children and women suggest that the song is also a call to be kind and empathetic to others who may be struggling. In the end, the song reminds us that love is a reason worth holding onto.
Line by Line Meaning
Many lives they come
There are a lot of people who exist
Many lives they go
There are a lot of people who cease to exist
Without reason
Without any purpose or explanation
In my heart I know
I am confident within myself
I cannot let go
I am unable to release something from my possession or control
Little children don´t you feel so sad
Young children, do not feel disheartened
When you come home feeling lost and bad
When you return home feeling bewildered and in low spirits
You got a reason, oh you got a reason
You have an explanation or justification for your emotions
Oh woman, I gave my heart to you
Oh, woman, I entrusted my affection to you
When I found out what you´ve been through
When I discovered the difficulties you have experienced
Many lives they come, many lives they go
There are many people who are born and who pass away
Without a reason in your heart how could you know?
Without any purpose or motivation, how could you understand?
In my heart I know, I know I cannot let go
I am certain within myself that I am unable to release something from my possession or control
Gotta reason in my heart and don´t you know?
I have a motive or incentive within me, and do you not recognize it?
When they find you crying sorrow tears
When they discover you weeping tears of distress
And it´s too late after all these years
And it is too tardy after all this time
You got a reason, gimme that reason
You have a justification or motive, provide me with that explanation
I´ts boys be strong and girls be weak
The society promotes the idea that boys should exhibit strength and girls should appear vulnerable
But children, careful how you speak
However, children, be mindful of how you communicate
Believe it in your heart, and it will show
Have faith in something internally, and it will be evident outwardly
It´s too late, that reason
It is already too late for that justification
Don´t let it go
Do not relinquish it
Reason
An explanation or justification
You gotta give me a reason baby
You must provide me with a motive or justification, darling
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL CRAIG, ROY HAY, JON MOSS, GEORGE O'DOWD, PHIL PICKETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind