Youth is fraught with naiveté and embarrassment. Thankfully time marches onwards and eventually these misjudgments of childhood become source material for hearty chuckles amongst friends and family. This is one such misjudgment. I think, anyway. I may no longer be laughing by the time I’m done writing.
As the calendar rolled from 1983 to 1984 and the demarcation of my twelfth year on this planet approached, I finally began spreading my musical wings and embraced my first favourite pop/rock band. In fact, I liked this band so much not only did I pop my album buying cherry on their breakout record, but I also dreamt of dressing as their lead singer that upcoming Halloween.
This has the making of a fantastic story, one that were I famous would surely be shared in mass market biographies and video channel documentaries, had this band been practically any other band of era. Unfortunately, this band was Culture Club and that first album I ever purchased was Colour By Numbers.
Thankfully, I never did get around to being Boy George for Halloween. The long, ribbon-adorned hair proved far too complicated to emulate, much, I’m sure, to my parents’ relief. Much to my relief as well; owning Colour By Numbers is one thing, having photographic evidence of dressing up as Boy George at 12 is quite another. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Nonetheless, in a nod to a younger and very naïve self, I’m kicking off your weekend with the smash hit from the very first vinyl I ever purchased with my own money, “Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club from the 1983 hit album Colour By Numbers.
Official Video: