Culture Club was a popular 1980s pop group, perhaps most noticeable for the… Read Full Bio ↴Culture Club was a popular 1980s pop group, perhaps most noticeable for their gender-bending frontman George O'Dowd, known by his stage name Boy George. The other members of the band were Roy Hay on guitars and keyboards, Mikey Craig playing bass and Jon Moss (ex Damned, London, Adam and the Ants) on drums.

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.

Vanity Case
Culture Club Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Do you like my hair?
Do you like my shoes?
These shallow promises shot through these eyes of blue
Do you like my mind?
Do you even care?
If there′s anyone up there? (yeah, yeah, yeah)

Beauty, beauty look at you

I wish to God I had it too
You're so pretty do you swing?
Guess you can′t have everything

Oh my soul, you're so beautiful, you're beautiful
Oh my soul, you′re so beautiful, you′re beautiful

Do you like my hips?
Do you lke my teeth?
Hey, would you notice me if I walked down the street?
A vanity case with a switch on smile
Is there anyone up there? (yeah)

Beauty, beauty look at you
I wish to God I had it too
You're so pretty do you swing?
Guess you can′t have everything

Oh my soul, you're so beautiful, you′re beautiful
Oh my soul, you're so beautiful, you′re beautiful
Oh my soul, you're so beautiful

Beauty, beauty look at you
I wish to God I had it too
You're so pretty do you swing?
(Whistle) Kiss me!

Oh my soul, you′re so beautiful, you′re beautiful
Oh my soul, you're so beautiful, so beautiful
Oh my soul, you′re so beautiful, (comin' at you) you′re beautiful
Oh my soul, you're so beautiful, (ha ha) you′re beautiful (ha ha)
(Ha ha)
(Ha ha)
(Whistle)
Get a load'a that!

(Whistle)
Thank you!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Culture Club's song "Vanity Case" highlights themes of superficiality and the desire for external validation. The first verse starts with the singer asking if the person likes their hair, shoes, and mind, which are all physical aspects and shallow promises. The question, "If there's anyone up there?" can be interpreted as a plea for some kind of spiritual guidance or connection, suggesting a deeper longing for something more meaningful.

The chorus refers to the beauty of another person and the singer's desire to be as pretty and desirable. However, the sarcastic line "You're so pretty do you swing?" implies that beauty does not necessarily equate to happiness or fulfillment. The final verse asks if someone would notice the singer if they were walking down the street, which indicates a need for attention and recognition. The overall message of the song is that surface-level appearances and external validation do not bring true happiness or fulfillment.

Line by Line Meaning

Do you like my hair?
Asking for validation based on physical appearance

Do you like my shoes?
Asking for validation based on physical appearance

These shallow promises shot through these eyes of blue
Commenting on how shallow beauty standards can be

Do you like my mind?
Asking for validation based on intellectual ability

Do you even care?
Questioning if the other person values anything beyond physical appearance

If there's anyone up there? (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Questioning if a higher power exists in a world obsessed with physical beauty

Beauty, beauty look at you
Commenting on the other person's physical appearance

I wish to God I had it too
Expressing envy towards the other person's physical appearance

You're so pretty do you swing?
Asking if the other person is attracted to the same gender

Guess you can't have everything
Acknowledging the impossibility of achieving everything you desire

Oh my soul, you're so beautiful, you're beautiful
Repeating the message that physical beauty is valued above all else

Do you like my hips?
Asking for validation based on physical appearance

Do you like my teeth?
Asking for validation based on physical appearance

Hey, would you notice me if I walked down the street?
Questioning if the other person would value them based on physical appearance in a public setting

A vanity case with a switch on smile
Commenting on the fake nature of beauty and how it is tied to emotions and expressions

Is there anyone up there? (yeah)
Reiterating the question about the existence of a higher power in a world obsessed with physical beauty

(Whistle) Kiss me!
Asking for physical affection in response to feelings of inadequacy

Oh my soul, you're so beautiful, so beautiful
Continuing to repeat the message that physical beauty is valued above all else

(comin' at you) you're beautiful
Reiterating the message that physical beauty is valued above all else

(ha ha)
Using laughter to cope with feelings of inadequacy

(Whistle)
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm

Get a load'a that!
Commenting on someone or something that is thought to be physically attractive

Thank you!
Expressing gratitude for attention or validation

Writer(s): THEMISTOCLEOUS JOHN, O'DOWD GEORGE ALAN

Contributed by Aaliyah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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