Musical Monday - Karma Chameleon by Culture Club

#1 on the Billboard Hot 100: February 4, 1984 through February 18, 1984.

#1 on the Cash Box Top 100: February 4, 1984 through February 18, 1984.

#1 on the U.K. Chart: September 24, 1983 through October 29, 1983.

Karma Chameleon is a song that seems like it should have some sort of subtle subtext in its meaning, but it really doesn't. It seems like it should be a roundabout way to talk about a break up, or a piece of political satire that uses imagery to avoid directly complaining about a particular political movement, or something like that. The song is, however, simply about karma, like the title says. Basically, the song's meaning amounts to "what goes around, comes around", with nothing deeper or more complex than that. Sometimes things are what they seem at first glance, and this song is one of those things.

Over all, Karma Chameleon turned out to be one of the signature songs of the decade. Although Culture Club entered a stormy (and ultimately destructive) period following the success of this song resulting from romantic entanglements within the group gone sour and other issues, and Boy George's incresingly difficult time dealing with both fame and drugs, Karma Chameleon, by itself, cements them into the pantheon of iconic 1980s musical acts.

Previous Musical Monday: Tell Her About It by Billy Joel

Subsequent Musical Monday: The Safety Dance by Men Without Hats

Previous #1 on the Billboard Hot 100: Owner of a Lonely Heart by Yes

Subsequent #1 on the Billboard Hot 100: Jump by Van Halen

Previous #1 on the Cash Box Top 100: Owner of a Lonely Heart by Yes

Subsequent #1 on the Cash Box Top 100: Jump by Van Halen

Previous #1 on the U.K. Chart: Red Red Wine by UB40

Subsequent #1 on the U.K. Chart: Uptown Girl by Billy Joel

List of #1 Singles from the Billboard Hot 100 for 1980-1989
List of #1 Singles from the Cash Box Top 100 for 1980-1989
List of #1 Singles on the U.K. Chart for 1980-1989

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