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 War Song
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And love means nothing in some strange quarters
War, war is stupid and people are stupid
And I heard them banging on hearts and fingers
War
People fill the world with narrow confidence
Like a child at birth, a man with no defence
No matter what you say, no matter what you do
Now we're fighting in our hearts
Fighting in the streets
Won't somebody help me?
War, war is stupid and people are stupid
And love means nothing in some strange quarters
War, war is stupid and people are stupid
And I heard them banging on hearts and fingers
War
Man is far behind in the search of something new
Like a philistine, we're burning witches too
This world of hate must be designed for you
It matters what you say, it matters what you do
Now we're fighting in our hearts
Fighting in the streets
Won't somebody help me?
War, war is stupid and people are stupid
And love means nothing in some strange quarters
War, war is stupid and people are stupid
And I heard them banging on hearts and fingers
War, war war
After the bird has flown
He walked ten thousand miles back home
You can't do that to me, no, you can't do that to me
You can't do that to me, no, you can't do that to me
War, war
In this heart of mine, I'll find a place for you
For black or white, for grown-up children too
Now we're fighting in our hearts
Fighting in the streets
Won't somebody help me?
War, war is stupid and people are stupid
And love means nothing in some strange quarters
War, war is stupid and people are stupid
And I heard them banging on hearts and fingers
No more war
Say no more war
Say war
I said woah, said no more war, said no more war, said woah
Said no more war, I said no more war
Senso hant-ai
Senso hant-ai
Say no more war
Say no more, no more war, said no more war
Said no more war, said no more war, oh
Culture Club's "The War Song" is a soulful track that denounces war and condemns the stupidity of the people who engage in it. The lyrics convey the message that war leads to meaningless destruction, and love loses value in the midst of it. The opening lyrics "War, war is stupid and people are stupid, And love means nothing in some strange quarters" highlights this point. The song also refers to the need for human connection and assistance during the troubled times of war. The lines "Now we're fighting in our hearts, Fighting in the streets, Won't somebody help me?" express the desperation of people in war-stricken regions to find peace and refuge.
The second verse of the song goes on to criticize the narrow-mindedness of people who are convinced that their possessions and beliefs are superior to that of others. The lines "What's mine's my own, I won't give it to you, No matter what you say, no matter what you do" highlight this destructive and self-centered mentality. The song also refers to the need for unity and a common goal in life. The lines "In this heart of mine, I'll find a place for you, For black or white, for grown-up children too" expresses the importance of acceptance and camaraderie among people of all races and ages.
Line by Line Meaning
War, war is stupid and people are stupid
The concept of war is foolish and illogical, just as some people can behave foolishly and illogically.
And love means nothing in some strange quarters
In some situations, love holds no value.
And I heard them banging on hearts and fingers
People become aggressive and violent towards each other both physically and emotionally during a war.
People fill the world with narrow confidence
People spread prejudices and stereotypes.
Like a child at birth, a man with no defense
People are the most vulnerable during their birth and old age with no means of defense.
What's mine's my own, I won't give it to you
People can be very possessive and selfish with their belongings.
No matter what you say, no matter what you do
People can be stubborn and obstinate regardless of any rational argument or explanation.
Now we're fighting in our hearts
People become emotionally charged and engaged in a conflict within themselves.
Fighting in the streets, won't somebody help me?
People become physically violent and seek assistance.
Man is far behind in the search of something new
Humans are slow to develop new or innovative ideas.
Like a philistine, we're burning witches too
We take barbaric, uneducated actions.
This world of hate must be designed for you
Some people think others are responsible for creating a hostile environment.
It matters what you say, it matters what you do
Our words and actions have consequences and they impact others.
After the bird has flown, he walked ten thousand miles back home
It is possible to endure endless struggles and still come out on the other side.
You can't do that to me, no, you can't do that to me
No one has the power to control or harm another person.
In this heart of mine, I'll find a place for you
There is always a space for love and acceptance in the heart.
For black or white, for grown-up children too
Love is all-encompassing and applies regardless of race or age.
No more war, say no more war
We must cease war and violence.
Senso hant-ai, senso hant-ai, say no more war
We must reject war and violence.
Say no more, no more war, said no more war
We declare that war must end.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: George O'Dowd, Jonathan Moss, Michael Craig, Roy Ernest Hay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind