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.
That's The Way
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Figures undress your fear
Induced to crime beyond emotion
Shedding tears as big as the ocean
Don't say you didn't hear us callin'
Ooh, ooh, you'll be sorry in the mornin'
When we tell you
She's the only one who never cries
That's the way we destroy a baby
Shut it out, shut it out
That's the way we destroy a baby
Shut it out of your mind
That's the way, that's the way
If I address you
And you see me in the shadows fallin'
Call, caress me
Hey I woke up on my own this mornin'
Don't say you didn't hear us callin'
Ooh, ooh, you'll be sorry in the mornin'
When we tell you
Mama had tears in her eyes
She's the only one who never lies
That's the way we destroy a baby
Shut it out, shut it out
That's the way we destroy a baby
Shut it out of your mind
That's the way, that's the way
I'm only tryin' to help you, baby
(Only tryin' to help you, yeah)
I'm only tryin' to help you, baby
(Only tryin' to help you)
I'm only tryin' to help you, baby
(Only tryin', only tryin' only tryin' to help you)
I'm only tryin' to help you, baby
(Only tryin' to help you)
I'm only tryin' to help you
(Only tryin' to help you)
I'm only tryin' to help you
(Only tryin' to help you)
I'm only tryin' to help you
The lyrics of Culture Club's "That's the Way" are full of metaphors and symbolism that may take a bit of decoding to understand. It seems to be discussing the destruction of innocence and the way society can manipulate and coerce individuals into committing crimes or conforming to certain ideals.
The first verse talks about clowns caressing and figures undressing fear, which may represent the manipulation of emotions and the exploitation of vulnerability. The second half of the verse refers to "shedding tears as big as the ocean," which could refer to the overwhelming guilt or sadness that may come with giving into societal pressures or committing a terrible act.
The chorus repeats the phrase "that's the way we destroy a baby" multiple times. This seems to be a metaphor for the destruction of innocence or the corruption of someone's pure nature. The line "shut it out of your mind" may represent how society tries to ignore or deny the damage that has been done to individuals or communities.
The second verse seems to be a plea for help, with the lines "if I address you and you see me in the shadows falling, call, caress me." This could represent a desire for understanding and support in a world that can be cruel and isolating. The final lines of the song repeat the sentiment that the singer is only trying to help, perhaps reminding listeners that there is still hope for healing and redemption even in the face of destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Clowns caress you
People you trust and are supposed to make you feel safe are manipulating you
Figures undress your fear
Even those who seem authoritative and respectable are stripping away your sense of security
Induced to crime beyond emotion
You are pushed into wrongdoing that goes against your moral code and sense of empathy
Shedding tears as big as the ocean
You are experiencing intense feelings of sadness and regret
Don't say you didn't hear us callin'
We warned you and tried to reach out to you
Ooh, ooh, you'll be sorry in the mornin'
You will regret not listening to us in the future
When we tell you
We will inform you of the consequences of your actions
Mama had tears in her eyes
Even your mother, who loves you unconditionally, is deeply affected by your choices
She's the only one who never cries
Your mother is the strongest person you know, but even she is not immune to heartbreak
That's the way we destroy a baby
This is how we ruin someone's innocence and purity
Shut it out, shut it out
We ignore our own guilt and responsibility for causing harm
That's the way, that's the way
This is the destructive path we have chosen
If I address you
If I try to talk to you and reason with you
And you see me in the shadows fallin'
If you notice me being vulnerable and exposed
Call, caress me
Please reach out to me and show me compassion
Hey I woke up on my own this mornin'
I am no longer under the grip of this destructive cycle and am taking control of my life
I'm only tryin' to help you, baby
I genuinely care about your well-being and want to assist you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEORGE O'DOWD, JON MOSS, MICHAEL CRAIG, ROY HAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Grace Suan Jin
Clowns caress you.
Figures undress your fears.
Induce the crowd beyond emotion,
Shedding tears as big as the ocean,
Don't say you didn't hear us calling.
Oh, oh, you'll be sorry in the morning.
When we tell you mother had tears in her eyes,
She's the only on that never cries.
That's the way we drestroy, baby.
Shut it out, shut it out.
That's the way, that's the way.
If I address you,
And you see me in the shadows falling.
Call, caress me.
Hey, I woke up on my own this morning.
Don't say you didn't hear us calling.
Oh, oh, you'll be sorry in the morning.
When we tell you mother had tears in her eyes,
She's the only one that never lies.
That's the way we drestroy, baby.
Shut it out, shut it out.
That's the way we drestroy, baby.
Shut it out of your mind.
That's the way, that's the way.
I'm only trying to help you, baby.
(Only trying to help you.)
I'm only trying to help you, baby.
(Only trying to help you.)
I'm only trying to help you.
blueride 38
What a FANTASTIC song...lyrically and vocally. Songs like this solidify Culture Club and Boy George as true artists and original artists. While most singers sound like each other now a days, Culture Club was truly unique with their own style and sound. NO ONE will ever be able to duplicate or be as original and satisfying as this group. So many wonderful songs hidden within all their albums that those who search will be touched like never before. One of the best groups ever.
RacerX 4324
What an amazing song. Helen Terry's singing in this song blew me away back in 1983 and I still get goose bumps every time I listen to it to this day.
Michael Mike 1965
This song always makes the tears stream down my face! Boy George is Brilliant . . . A true musical genius!!!!
LOVE,
Michael Mike
Maria Puentes
Michael Mike 1965 me too. It never fails.
Jay See
Best Culture Club song ever! That vocal has been killing me since it came out when I was 10 years old.
Hosedraggers Wife
One of their best EVER!!! To bad todays music isn't like this, So much heart & soul. Every song had a reason & meaning. Unlike todays crap dubbed over & over. George sounds like an angel in concert as well as in the studio, NOT ONE of todays artists can pull that off. George, you will ALWAYS have a true fan through & through right here. Back in the day I was a young girl & now I'm 38 & STILL CRANK YA UP EVERY CHANCE I GET!!! <333 THAT BOY!!!
finebetty
plenty of today's artists can achieve the same and plenty back then couldn't
Grace Suan Jin
Clowns caress you.
Figures undress your fears.
Induce the crowd beyond emotion,
Shedding tears as big as the ocean,
Don't say you didn't hear us calling.
Oh, oh, you'll be sorry in the morning.
When we tell you mother had tears in her eyes,
She's the only on that never cries.
That's the way we drestroy, baby.
Shut it out, shut it out.
That's the way, that's the way.
If I address you,
And you see me in the shadows falling.
Call, caress me.
Hey, I woke up on my own this morning.
Don't say you didn't hear us calling.
Oh, oh, you'll be sorry in the morning.
When we tell you mother had tears in her eyes,
She's the only one that never lies.
That's the way we drestroy, baby.
Shut it out, shut it out.
That's the way we drestroy, baby.
Shut it out of your mind.
That's the way, that's the way.
I'm only trying to help you, baby.
(Only trying to help you.)
I'm only trying to help you, baby.
(Only trying to help you.)
I'm only trying to help you.
Why Has Google Messed With My Channel... Again
Good job.. But its momma had tears in her eyes.. Not mother...
htownjesse
It really doesn't get any better than this! Totally @ their best here!