Karma Chameleon - Culture Club (1984) 9/28/23

Just how popular were Boy George and Culture Club in 1984?

Well, the fact that their song "Karma Chameleon" went to #1 in 15 countries, including the US, should give you a pretty good idea.

The song was downright catchy, but what exactly did the term "Karma Chameleon" mean?

Well, according to Boy George: "It's about trying to suck up to everybody. Basically, if you aren't true, if you don't act like you feel, then you get Karma-justice, that's nature's way of paying you back."

At one point, singer Jimmy Jones claimed "Karma Chameleon" plagiarized his1960 hit song "Handy Man" (also a 1977 hit by James Taylor), but Boy George shrugged it off and said he may have heard the song -- once -- but he didn't sit down and consciously copy anything.

(Jimmy claimed that the refrain "Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma Chameleon" ripped off his refrain "Come-a, Come-a, Come-a, Come-a Come on." Check it out by clicking the links below.)

But even more of a concern at the time was the fact that the rest of Culture Club were initially against recording the song because it sounded "too country."

Thankfully, they changed their minds.

"Karma Chameleon" by The Culture Club was without a doubt, a Great Song of 1984! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmcA9LIIXWw

"Handy Man" (Jimmy Jones): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf6ZuwccJ48

Tomorrow: Diana misses Marvin.