Culture Club

The Profile

Culture Club are a British new wave/pop band formed in London in 1981, fronted by Boy George with Roy Hay, Mikey Craig, and Jon Moss. They broke through globally with Kissing to Be Clever (1982) and Colour by Numbers (1983), scoring hits like Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, Karma Chameleon, and Time (Clock of the Heart).

Formed in London in 1981; classic lineup: Boy George, Roy Hay, Mikey Craig, Jon Moss; major hits include Do You Really Want to Hurt Me (1982), Time (Clock of the Heart) (1982), and Karma Chameleon (1983); won the 1984 Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

One wry review takes on Culture Club’s Colour by Numbers with equal parts skepticism and grudging admiration. Boy George’s hooks (Karma Chameleon) and ballads (Victims) get name-checked. The tone is ironic, the verdict middling, but the catchiness is undeniable.