The War Song
The War Song is a 1984 song by the British band Culture Club, featuring background vocals by Clare Torry. It was the lead single from the band's third album "Waking Up with the House on Fire". The song became the group's seventh top-five hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number two. In the U.S. the single peaked at #17 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and hit the top ten in many countries including Canada (#3), Ireland (#1) and Australia (#2). The music video was directed by Russell Mulcahy. Lead singer Boy George  is shown with flame-red hair, a provocative new look at the time, as well as black, white, yellow and blue wigs. The ending of the video features hundreds of children dressed as skeletons, frolicking around Shad Thames, London. The video cost more than £100,000 to make. When Pete Burns saw the video, he sent Boy George a wreath. In many countries, the single was released with a B-Side consisting of a native-language version (Spanish, French, Japanese or German) of the song. It was available in two different extended versions, a first in Culture Club discography. Its  7" picture disc was shelved, and remaining copies are very rare. Boy George later said "The War Song" had "patronising lyrics and a brain-curdling melody." It has been excluded from some compilations of Culture Club music. It had not been performed live by Culture Club since 1985, until the band played it at a one-off gig on New Year's Eve 2011. They also performed the song in 2014. "The War Song" was Culture Club's last UK top 5 hit before 1998's "I Just Wanna Be Loved". A. The War Song Track listing. 7". B. La  Cancion De Guerra A. The War Song B. La Chanson De Guerre A1. The War Song (Ultimate Dance Mix) 12". B1. The War Song (Shriek Mix) B2. La Cancion De Guerra