Do You Really Want to Hurt Me

"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" is a song written and recorded by the British new wave band Culture Club. Released as a single in September 1982 from the group's platinum-selling debut album Kissing to Be Clever, it was the band's first UK #1 hit. In the United States, the single was released in November 1982 and also became a huge hit, reaching #2 for three weeks.

History

"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" was the third single released in Europe by Culture Club and their debut release in the United States and Canada. The song was picked up by BBC Radio 2 and became a UK #1 single for three weeks in October 1982. The song entered the American Pop chart the week ending December 4, 1982. It hit #1 in Cash Box magazine and held at #2 for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in March and April 1983 (kept from the #1 spot by Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean"). The single achieved sales of 900,000 US copies and also hit #1 in Canada.^[1] It was also number one in Australia.

This was Culture Club's first success, after their first two releases, "White Boy" and "I'm Afraid of Me" charted in the UK at #114 and #100 respectively. According to Boy George, it was their last chance to get an album deal.

The song rose rapidly in the UK charts after the group's first appearance on Top of the Pops, which resulted in George's androgynous style of dress and sexual ambiguity making newspaper headlines. The group were only asked to appear on Top of the Pops the night before the show, after Shakin' Stevens pulled out.^[2]

In a retrospective review, Allmusic journalist Jose F. Promis described "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" as "a simple masterpiece, resonating with an ache that harked back to the classic torch songs of yesteryear."^[3]

In 2007, Boy George said that the song was "not just about Culture Club's drummer Jon Moss, my boyfriend at the time. It was about all the guys I dated at that time in my life."^[2]

The B-side was a dub version featuring Pappa Weasel in many countries and "You Know I'm Not Crazy" on the US release. On the 12" version of the record, the track "Love Is Cold (You Were Never No Good)" was also included.

Remixes

The song was remixed by DJs Quivver and Kinky Roland in 1998 for a Culture Club compilation called Greatest Moments and the single "I Just Wanna Be Loved". It was also remixed and presented on Culture Club's 2002 box set along with the original demo version.

Re-released as a reggaeton remix in France, it was again a top 20 hit in the summer of 2005.

Music video

The video for the song, directed by Julien Temple, featured lead singer Boy George on trial in a courtroom, with flashbacks to a 1936 nightclub and a 1957 health club. The jury was in blackface making jazz hands gestures. One band member, Mikey Craig, was not in the video, and was replaced by his brother Greg.

Boy George wears a shirt with the Hebrew writing "Tarbut Agudda" (תַּרְבּוּת אֲגֻדָּה), a literal translation of the individual words "culture" and "organization" in a grammatically incorrect order.

Track listings

7"

A. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" – 4:22
B. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" (Dub Version) – 3:38
(Released at least in UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Sweden)
A. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" – 4:23
B. "You Know I'm Not Crazy" – 3:35
(Released in USA, Mexico)

12"

A1. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" – 4:22
A2. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" (Dub Version) – 3:38
B1. "Love Is Cold" (non-album track) – 4:23
(Released at least in UK, Canada (different cover), USA, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands (different cover), Spain)

CD single (1992 re-issue)

"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" – 4:22
"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" (Dub Version) – 3:38
"Bow Down Mister" (Sitari Bizarri Mix) – 6:24 (Released in Germany in 1992, to promote the compilation album Spin Dazzle)

CD single (2005 remix)

"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" (DJ LBR 2005 remix) – 3:59
"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" – 4:25

(Released as a remix version in France, to promote the compilation album Culture Club 2005 - Singles & Remixes, with new video)

Charts and certifications

Chart positions

Chart (1982-1983)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[4]	1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[5]	1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[6]	1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)^[7]	24
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[8]	1
Denmark (Tracklisten)^[9]	2
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)	1
France (SNEP)^[10]	1
Germany (Official German Charts)^[11]	1
Irish Singles Chart^[12]	1
Italy (FIMI)^[13]	2
Japanese Singles Chart	23
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[14]	2
Norway (VG-lista)^[15]	2
Spain (PROMUSICAE)^[16]	7
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[17]	1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[18]	1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)^[19]	1
US Billboard Hot 100^[20]	2
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[21]	8
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[22]	39
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)^[23]	21
Chart (2005)	Peak position
Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia)^[24]	24
French Singles Chart^[25]	16

Sales and certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/Sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[26]	Platinum	150,000^{^}
France (SNEP)^[27]	Gold	1,040,000^[28]
Germany (BVMI)^[29]	Gold	250,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)^[30]	Gold	500,000^{^}
Total available sales:		1,940,000
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^{^}shipments figures based on certification alone

Order of precedence
Preceded by "Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth	UK Singles Chart number-one single 17 October 1982 – 6 November 1982	Succeeded by "I Don't Wanna Dance" by Eddy Grant
Preceded by "Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth	Australian Kent Music Report number-one single 27 December 1982 – 31 January 1983	Succeeded by "Gloria" by Laura Branigan
Preceded by "Starmaker" by Kids from Fame	Irish Singles Chart number-one single 31 October 1982	Succeeded by "Starmaker" by Kids from Fame
Preceded by "Words" by F. R. David	German Singles Chart number-one single 10 December 1982 – 21 January 1983	Succeeded by "Major Tom (Völlig Losgelöst)" by Peter Schilling
Preceded by "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners and The Emerald Express	Swiss Singles Chart number-one single (first run) 12 December 1982 – 9 January 1983	Succeeded by "Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth
Preceded by "Heartbreaker" by Dionne Warwick	Swedish Singles Chart number-one single 11 January 1983 – 25 January 1983	Succeeded by "Our House" by Madness
Preceded by "Weil i di mog" by Relax	Austrian Singles Chart number-one single 15 January 1983 – 15 February 1983	Succeeded by "Major Tom (völlig losgelöst)" by Peter Schilling
Preceded by "Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth	Swiss Singles Chart number-one single (second run) 23 January 1983	Succeeded by "I Don't Wanna Dance" by Eddy Grant
Preceded by "Sexual Healing" by Marvin Gaye	*Canadian RPM* number-one single** 5 March 1983 – 12 March 1983	Succeeded by "Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran

Blue Lagoon version

"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me"

Single by Blue Lagoon

from the album Club Lagoon

B-side

"Extended version"

Released

February 13, 2005

Format

CD single
CD maxi

Length

3:29

Label

Kon$um, SME

Songwriter(s)

Michael Craig
Roy Hay
Jon Moss
George O'Dowd

Producer(s)

Felix J. Gauder

Blue Lagoon singles chronology

"Break My Stride"
(2004)

"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me"
(2005)

"Heartbreaker"
(2005)

The song was covered in 2005 by German band Blue Lagoon on its album Club Lagoon and became a hit in Europe.

Track listings

CD single

"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" (radio edit) — 3:29
"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" (extended version) — 4:59

Charts

Chart (2005)	Peak position
Austrian Singles Chart^[31]	21
Danish Singles Chart^[32]	11
German Singles Chart^[33]	13
Swedish Singles Chart^[34]	29
Swiss Singles Chart^[35]	32

Other cover versions

In 1987, the reggae group the Heptones released a cover version on their album Changing Times.^[36]
In 1991, the Violent Femmes released a cover version of the song in their fifth studio album Why Do Birds Sing?.
In 1997, singer-songwriter Diana King covered the song for her second album Think Like a Girl.
In 1997, Shortcut recorded a dance-reggae version that appeared in the albums, Super Mario Hits and Total Thrill. Both contain various artists songs.
In 2003, singer-songwriter Melanie Safka covered the song for her album Moments from My Life.
In 2006, singer-songwriter Thomas Anders covered the song for his album Songs Forever.
In 2007 Kate Ceberano recorded a version for her Nine Lime Avenue album.
In 2008, Karen Souza covered the song for the album Jazz and the 80s.
In 2010, Amanda Lear recorded a dance version for her 2010 album Brief Encounters Reloaded.
In 2014, singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata released a cover version of the song on the multi-artist compilation album Here Comes The Reign Again: The Second British Invasion.^[37]

References

↑ "RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
1 2 "Flashback: October 1982". Guardian. 14 October 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
↑ Promis, Jose F. "Kissing to Be Clever - Culture Club : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
↑ "Australian-charts.com – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Austriancharts.at – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Ultratop.be – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Ultratop.be – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6205." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Danishcharts.com – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me". Tracklisten. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Lescharts.com – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie Archived 9 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved 17 July 2008)
↑ "Italiancharts.com – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me". Top Digital Download. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Charts.org.nz – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me". VG-lista. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Swisscharts.com – Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Culture Club: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Culture Club – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Culture Club. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Culture Club – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Culture Club. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Culture Club – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Culture Club. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Culture Club – Chart history" Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs for Culture Club. Retrieved June, and 2017.
↑ "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 17 July 2008)
↑ "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", French Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved 17 July 2008)
↑ "Canadian single certifications – Culture Club – Do You Really Want to Hurt Me". Music Canada.
↑ "French single certifications – Culture Club – Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" (in French). InfoDisc. Select CULTURE CLUB and click OK
↑ "Les Singles en Or :" (in French). Infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Culture Club; 'Do You Really Want to Hurt Me')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
↑ "British single certifications – Boy George & Culture Club – Karma Chameleon". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Karma Chameleon in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
↑ "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", by Blue Lagoon, Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at Archived 8 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved 17 July 2008)
↑ "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", by Blue Lagoon, Danish Singles Chart Danishcharts.com Archived 12 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved 17 July 2008)
↑ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de Archived 16 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved 17 July 2008)
↑ "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", by Blue Lagoon, Swedish Singles Chart Swedishcharts.com (Retrieved 17 July 2008)
↑ "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", by Blue Lagoon, Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch Archived 8 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved 17 July 2008)
↑ Anon. "Reggae Reviews: The Heptones". Archived from the original on 11 October 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
↑ /. "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me | Curry Cuts". Currycuts.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2016-10-26.

External links

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Culture Club
Boy George Roy Hay Mikey Craig Jon Moss
Albums	Kissing to Be Clever Colour by Numbers Waking Up with the House on Fire From Luxury to Heartache Don't Mind If I Do
Compilation albums	This Time – The First Four Years Collect – 12" Mixes Plus At Worst... The Best of Boy George and Culture Club Greatest Moments – VH1 Storytellers Live Culture Club (Box set) Greatest Hits
Singles	"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" "Time (Clock of the Heart)" "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" "Church of the Poison Mind" "Karma Chameleon" "Victims" "Miss Me Blind" "It's a Miracle" "The War Song" "Don't Go Down That Street" "Move Away" "I Just Wanna Be Loved" "Starman"
Related articles	Discography Boy George discography Helen Terry
Book Category

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