Boy George on Performing “Karma Chameleon”: A Challenging Experience

For Boy George, certain songs are hard to shake. The 64-year-old Culture Club frontman recently expressed his less-than-enthusiastic feelings about the band’s iconic 1983 hit, “Karma Chameleon,” likening singing it to “diarrhea through a wet sock.”

Despite his personal reservations, the star recognized the enduring popularity of the song, which catapulted him and the band to global fame. In a recent appearance on Apple TV+’s competition show, “KPOPPED,” Boy George initially balked at the idea of performing “Karma Chameleon.” The singer candidly admitted that his immediate reaction was, “Oh, absolutely not,” upon being approached about it.

Reflecting on the situation, Boy George confessed to feeling uninspired by the prospect of revisiting the song, stating, “It was just, ‘Oh, f**k off, that again.’ I’m being honest. That’s the truth.” However, after a change of heart and encouragement from his team, Boy George decided to embrace the opportunity, ultimately finding joy in the experience.

While “Karma Chameleon” was undeniably a massive hit for Culture Club, spending weeks at the top of the UK and US charts in the ’80s, it was just one standout among many for the band. Songs like “Time (Clock Of The Heart),” “Miss Me Blind,” “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya,” and the Grammy-winning “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” showcased the group’s diverse musical talents.

Following Culture Club’s initial breakup in 1987, Boy George pursued a successful solo career with nine studio albums to his name. In a 2023 interview, he opened up about the challenges he faced due to his sexuality early in his career, shedding light on the lingering discrimination present in the music industry.

Despite the ups and downs of his musical journey, Boy George remains a celebrated artist, known for his unique voice and unmistakable style. While some songs may feel like old ‘friends’ to performers, each rendition brings new insights and emotions, making every performance a fresh experience.