40 years ago this week a new wave classic hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100: Where does "Karma Chameleon" rank for you?

[dmbrocker]

One of the most iconic new wave hits to come out of the 80's, and Boy George and Co.'s biggest chart success. I love it. How about you Sludgers?





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmcA9LIIXWw

[Nate S Axel]

"Hey, it's Debbie Gibson!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFB5H-dq2vo

[pieceofme]

Low.

I like a lot of cheesy 80s hits. But this one is annoying.

[daveg]

Even as a 16 year old headbanger, I absolutely loved that tune. Incredible pop song

Time, Church of the Poison Mind. Do you really... Man they had some great tunes.

[keyofgee]

it was a homerun

[DangerZone]

gay/supergay

but funny slipping in the ‘come & go’ entendre

[sirthx2]

His vocal tone is so good I always dug their songs.

[Mister Freeze]

"It's a Miracle" was more my speed.

Great voice, regardless.

[ParaDime77]

Reminds me of my mother forcing me to go to swimming lesson’s at age 6. Hated it’ll

[PBFSUCKS]

Great song! They had a few really good songs. He had a great voice.

[LAglamrocker]

Very high
Didn’t understand song most likely. Everything else was awesome. First thought was probably “dudes can dress like a girl?” Thats rad
I remember family trying to introduce me to 70s rock bands after like Stones The Who and awful Led Zep. None of them was cool like Boy George
Discovered this song maybe 2 years after it “hit”

[maninblack]

This is his friend Mariltyn.

[maninblack]

Marilyn had a 5 year affair with Gavin Rosdale, the lead singer of Bush whom was also married to Gwen Stefani ( but he was marreid to Gwen after he had affair with Marilyn ).

[rubysdad]

Great song.

[Darrien]

Loved it back in the day, now, not so much. He did/does have a good voice though.

[DonJuanDeMarco]

Always loved the song. I didn't realize how good the band was or how good George's voice was until I saw the VH1 storytellers show. It was released officially on CD. I absolutely recommend checking that out. It's the greatest hits played with a real, live band. It's much more R&B sounding than the albums.

[sicktwistedfreak]

Tainted Love by Soft Cell [Marc Almond] will always be my #1 80's song.

[pieceofme]

Tainted Love by Soft Cell [Marc Almond] will always be my #1 80's song.

Far better song. Although I didn't realise for years it was a cover!

[Darrien]

Tainted Love by Soft Cell [Marc Almond] will always be my #1 80's song.

Far better song. Although I didn't realise for years it was a cover!

Tainted Love doesn't really sound like anything else on the album but the whole Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret album is 80's greatness, you can tell he was coked out during those vocal takes.

[sicktwistedfreak]

Tainted Love by Soft Cell [Marc Almond] will always be my #1 80's song.

Far better song. Although I didn't realise for years it was a cover!

Funny thing is I have read before that Gloria Jones did not like what the song was about and did not want to perform it live.

https://songorigin.com/from-obscurity-t ... nted-love/

[CrankerBait]

Culture Club is one of my least favorite early 80s British acts. Never thought they were really doing anything very original, whether musically or with their image. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" was alright, but I hated "Karma Chameleon" from the first listen. It ranks very low for me.

I think Boy George was at his best singing the theme song for "The Crying Game". Some English friends of mine claim he's also a good club DJ, but I'll have to take their word for it.

[RaceFan3]

Not a fan of that particular song but most of their other hits were great. Say what you want about how flamboyant and over the top Boy George was/is, the dude could sure write a pop song. Great voice too. Still sounds good today, even with a lower/gruffer register.

[whiteowl yesterday]

i love culture club.