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.
You Know
Culture Club Lyrics
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Say your mind has an overload
Your heart beats a rhythm, hot and cold
When you're near, you're not like us
You know I'm not crazy
(You know I'm not crazy)
You know I'm not crazy
(You know I'm not crazy)
I caught on to the way you smile
Love could only last a while
I couldn't love, I couldn't touch
The situation was too much
You know I'm not crazy
(You know I'm not crazy)
You know I'm not crazy
(You know I'm not crazy)
Your love fails me
Your love, it fails me
Your love fails me
Your love, it drives me crazy, crazy
Don't tell me that lovers always mistrust
The lies in your eyes, the death in your lust
It's more than distraction, you touch you feel
Our hearts dance apart and you say this is real
You know I'm not crazy, crazy
Talk about the love we feel
The passion that our hearts conceal
Kiss and run, the fools we trust
Love inside a blinding lust
You know I'm not crazy
(You know I'm not crazy)
You know I'm not crazy
(You know I'm not crazy)
Hold me to my every word
Forget about the things you heard
Time will conquer, time will state
We owe every tear to fate
You know I'm not crazy
(You know I'm not crazy)
You know I'm not crazy
(You know I'm not crazy)
Your love fails me
Your love, it fails me
Your love fails me
Your love, it drives me crazy
Crazy, crazy, crazy
The lyrics to Culture Club's song "You Know" suggest a complex and tumultuous romantic relationship. The singer starts by asserting their sanity, as if someone has accused them of being crazy. They describe the inner turmoil of the person they are addressing, mentioning an overload in their mind and a wavering heart that alternates between hot and cold. There is also a mention of a "naked bust," which could symbolize vulnerability or a raw honesty in their presence. Despite these differences, the singer insists that they are not crazy, as if their partner might doubt their stability.
The second verse highlights the singer's realization that their love could only last for a limited time. They mention an inability to fully connect or express their affection, suggesting that the situation was overwhelming. Despite these difficulties, the singer continues to assert their sanity to their partner.
The chorus repeats the statement "You know I'm not crazy," emphasizing the singer's desire for their partner to understand and believe them. The repetition of this phrase suggests an ongoing struggle to be understood and accepted.
The following verses explore the complexities of the relationship further, alluding to the idea that love can sometimes deceive and blind the individuals involved. The line "Our hearts dance apart and you say this is real" implies a disconnect between the emotional connection and the reality of the situation. The singer acknowledges the passion and desire they feel, but also recognizes the potential for destruction within such intensity.
In the final verse, the singer pleads with their partner to hold them accountable for their words and disregard any negative rumors they may have heard. They express faith that time will eventually reveal the truth and bring clarity to their situation, implying that their tears are a result of fate rather than madness.
Overall, "You Know" explores the complexities of a relationship, where love and desire can both bring joy and cause turmoil. The lyrics depict a struggle for understanding, as the singer repeatedly asserts their sanity and pleads for their partner to believe them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not crazy, I'm not crazy
I want to clarify that I am not insane or irrational
Say your mind has an overload
Imagine your thoughts being overwhelmed and overloaded
Your heart beats a rhythm, hot and cold
Your emotions fluctuate between intense passion and indifference
Your stature has a naked bust
Your appearance displays vulnerability and openness
When you're near, you're not like us
Your presence sets you apart from others
I caught on to the way you smile
I noticed the particular way you express happiness through your smile
Love could only last a while
Romantic feelings tend to be temporary and fleeting
I couldn't love, I couldn't touch
I was unable to truly love or physically connect with you
The situation was too much
The circumstances or emotions were overwhelming
Your love fails me
The love you offer disappoints or falls short for me
Your love, it fails me
The affection you express does not satisfy or fulfill me
Your love, it drives me crazy, crazy
The intensity of your love leaves me feeling mentally unbalanced or overwhelmed
Don't tell me that lovers always mistrust
Don't try to convince me that suspicion is a natural part of romantic relationships
The lies in your eyes, the death in your lust
There is deceit in your gaze, and your desire carries a destructive quality
It's more than distraction, you touch, you feel
What we have goes beyond a mere distraction; it has a tangible, emotional impact
Our hearts dance apart and you say this is real
Our emotions are moving in different directions, yet you insist that our connection is genuine
Talk about the love we feel
Let's discuss and express the emotions of love we experience
The passion that our hearts conceal
The intense desire hidden within our hearts
Kiss and run, the fools we trust
Engaging in brief, passionate encounters with people we believe in, despite the risk
Love inside a blinding lust
Love exists within an overwhelming and blinding desire
Hold me to my every word
Expect me to fulfill every promise or commitment I make
Forget about the things you heard
Disregard any rumors or gossip you may have heard about me
Time will conquer, time will state
With the passage of time, difficulties and uncertainties will be resolved and clarified
We owe every tear to fate
We attribute every tear shed to the workings of destiny or circumstances beyond our control
Your love fails me
The love you offer disappoints or falls short for me
Your love, it fails me
The affection you express does not satisfy or fulfill me
Your love fails me
The love you offer disappoints or falls short for me
Your love, it drives me crazy
The intensity of your love leaves me feeling mentally unbalanced or overwhelmed
Crazy, crazy, crazy
I am consumed by these overwhelming emotions and feelings of madness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind