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.
The Dive
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is nothing
That can stop my eyes
From crying
When you put the pressure
Down on me
Cause I don't quite fit
I'm trying
Baby I'm no superman
[Chorus:]
Eyes like a deep blue sea
To dive in
Love that you give to me
We're surviving
Surviving
When love is gone
I can't carry on
When you know that love
Is on my mind
It's a perfect chance
To be unkind
You do it
Being sly you take a chance
On crime
But the master has a new design
On loving, living
Out and in the enemy
[Chorus]
Eyes that open wide
Do you do
Love you give the child
Do you do
Why do you do that to me?
When I wake up feeling victimized
There is nothing
That can stop my eyes
From crying
When you put the pressure
Down on me
Cause I don't quite fit
Your imagery
I'm trying
I'm no superman
[Chorus]
The song, "The Dive," from Culture Club's 1999 album, Don't Mind If I Do, is a contemplative representation of how difficult it is to fit in to societal expectations when one is different. The song's opening lines, "When I wake up feeling victimized There is nothing That can stop my eyes From crying," suggest that the singer feels powerless and alone. The lyricist seems to indicate that the feeling of being victimized is so pervasive that it causes him to cry uncontrollably.
The chorus of the song, "Eyes like a deep blue sea To dive in, Love that you give to me, We're surviving," suggests that, despite feeling like a victim, the singer has found a haven in a person who loves him, and that love is helping sustain him. However, the singer admits that if that love were to go away, he would not be able to carry on.
The lyricist's skillful use of language, combined with the powerful and emotive delivery by lead singer Boy George, makes "The Dive" a poignant and thought-provoking composition that is relatable to anyone who has ever felt like they don't quite fit in.
Line by Line Meaning
When I wake up feeling victimized
The feeling of vulnerability and hopelessness at times of being subjected to unfairness or mistreatment.
There is nothing
There is no solace or comfort found while feeling victimized.
That can stop my eyes
The inability to control emotions of hurt and sadness physically portrayed through tears.
From crying
Continuous display of sadness through unabated tears.
When you put the pressure
The feeling of being weighed down or trapped.
Down on me
The burden initiated upon oneself by yielding to internal and external expectations.
Cause I don't quite fit
The feeling of inadequacy when unable to comply with societal norms or expectations.
Your imagery
External representations of beauty, success or desirability, imposed by society and pressure to conform to such standards.
I'm trying
The effort exerted to fit in despite the odds.
Baby I'm no superman
The realization that one's innate strength and resilience have limits and the admission that one cannot always endure hardships.
Eyes like a deep blue sea
The deep and profound emotion reflected in the eyes of the beloved, akin to a vast and calm sea.
To dive in
The irresistible temptation to immerse oneself fully in the boundless love offered by the beloved.
Love that you give to me
The generous and unconditional love offered by the beloved, without any strings attached.
We're surviving
The ability to persevere and endure through tough times, united by love.
Surviving
The realization that despite facing hardships and challenges, one has the courage to survive, especially when strengthened by love.
When love is gone
The emptiness and despair experienced in the absence of love.
I can't carry on
The feeling of hopelessness and inability to persevere when love is absent, leaving one feeling drained and helpless.
When you know that love
The awareness and knowledge of the presence of love, capable of bringing emotional happiness and fulfillment.
Is on my mind
The all-consuming thoughts and emotions that love instills, influencing one's decision-making and perspectives.
It's a perfect chance
The opportunity presented by love to embrace joy, happiness and emotional fulfillment.
To be unkind
The inclination to hurt someone one claims to love, for no beneficial reason.
You do it
The cupidity or selfish tendency to cause harm to a loved one, driven by ego, anger or jealousy.
Being sly you take a chance
The cunning yet risky move of trying to inflict harm or hurt upon a beloved, knowing the ramifications and backlash that might follow.
On crime
The act of harming or hurting a beloved, a damaging violation of trust and love, with no positive end.
But the master has a new design
The reflection that God sometimes renders brand new designs of restoring love and joy in a relationship, even after experiencing serious problems or setbacks.
On loving, living
The realization that true love is characterized by unselfishness and willingness to live together through good and tough times.
Out and in the enemy
The realization that negative forces of anger, ego and misunderstandings can cause irreparable harm to love and relationships.
Eyes that open wide
The feeling of incredulity and surprise upon realizing the full depths and measure of the love offered by the beloved.
Do you do
The expression of wonder or questions as to the source and motive of the love displayed by the beloved.
Love you give the child
The display of profound love and care, almost akin to the deep protective love expressed by a parent towards their child.
Do you do
The continued amazement and wonder at the selfless love displayed by the beloved.
Why do you do that to me?
The realization that one might be unable to comprehend or fully understand the extent and depth of the love and affection displayed by the beloved.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEORGE ALAN O'DOWD, JONATHAN AUBREY MOSS, MICHAEL EMILE CRAIG, ROY ERNEST HAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind