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.
Take Control
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your dance is sweet
'Cause you ripped it from my soul
I'll kiss you
And we will throw a view
It's the only way to take control
Boy I'm sweet
I can't turn it
I feel cold
It's for you, that my love is true
Got to blind a boy
To take control
[Chorus:]
Take control (Take it)
Take control (Take it)
Take control (Take it)
Take control
I was there
But you didn't care
And I know
You're using me
(If it's true get the best of you)
[Chorus]
Take control (God would let this thing go)[Repeat: x3]
[Chorus]
Take control (God would let this thing go)[Repeat: x3]
No defeat
Your dance is sweet
'Cause you ripped it from my soul
I'll kiss you
And we will throw a view
It's the only way to take control.
The lyrics to Culture Club's song "Take Control" suggest the singer's surrender and submission to a lover. The opening lines of "No defeat, your dance is sweet, 'cause you ripped it from my soul" could be interpreted as the singer's acknowledgement of the power their lover has over them, with the "dance" referring to the lover's sway over their emotions. The singer then suggests physical intimacy as a means to regain control, singing "I'll kiss you and we will throw a view, it's the only way to take control." The line "Got to blind a boy to take control" suggests manipulation and deceit as a means to maintain control.
The chorus's repetition of "take control" solidifies the theme of power dynamics and submission, while the bridge's "I was there but you didn't care, and I know you're using me" implies a one-sided dynamic in the relationship that the singer has come to terms with.
Overall, the lyrics of "Take Control" suggest a complicated relationship with a power dynamic at play, with the singer giving up control to maintain the connection with their lover.
Line by Line Meaning
No defeat
There will be no surrender or failure
Your dance is sweet
Your actions are admirable
'Cause you ripped it from my soul
The moves are so good that you must have been inspired by my inner feelings or emotions
I'll kiss you
I'll show my appreciation by giving you a kiss
And we will throw a view
Together, we will create an impression
It's the only way to take control
By working together, we can overcome all obstacles
Boy I'm sweet
I am desirable
When you've got me beat
When you are ahead of me in the game
I can't turn it
I cannot change the situation
I feel cold
I experience emptiness and loneliness
It's for you, that my love is true
I love you sincerely and deeply
Got to blind a boy
I have to deceive someone to gain dominance
To take control
In order to become the leader, I must use dishonest tactics
[Chorus:]Take control (Take it)Take control (Take it)Take control (Take it)Take control
The only way to succeed is to take control
I was there
I was present
But you didn't care
You were indifferent to my existence
And I know
I am certain
You're using me
You are taking advantage of me
(If it's true get the best of you)
(If this is real, it will bring out the best in you)
[Chorus]Take control (God would let this thing go)[Repeat: x3]
We must take control, even if it means going against divine will.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL CRAIG, ROY HAY, JON MOSS, GEORGE O'DOWD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind