CULTURE CLUB House On Fire -Live In Philadelphia 1984 FULL CONCERT VIDEO

This video was given to me on a VHS years ago, with no sound. It is a recording of the "big screen" from Tower Theater in Philadelphia, and what you would see from the audience. Fortunately, I have a nearly flawless soundboard recording of this concert from someone else and have worked to synch the two sources together for a "never before seen anywhere else" FULL LENGTH concert video. Sadly, the video quality isn't all that great, but who knows how many copies of copies it went through before it got to me?
I'm proud to present this after all this time.
Set list:
The Dive
Unfortunate Thing
I'll Tumble 4 Ya!
The Medal Song
Time (Clock Of The Heart)
Church Of The Poison Mind (Reggae intro)
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me
Mistake No. 3
Karma Chameleon
It's A Miracle
Dangerous Man
Mister Man
Mannequin
Miss Me Blind
Hello Goodbye
The War Song
That's The Way (I'm Only Trying To Help You)
Crime Time
If video quality is your thing, I have a much higher quality video of their show broadcast on UK Television from this same tour already on my channel, but it's only about a dozen of these songs.

[@simontreal]

I can't believe what I am watching now. So precious ! There are so little videos of that important era.

[@tcapuzzo1]

Yes°°°°@!!!!!!

[@simontreal]

All those songs that I'd wish that were on the Birmingham video... for years !

[@stevemcilroymusic]

WUWTHOF is such a great album. I wish it would get more love during new tours.

[@JCesar-xf2bk]

WOW! What a find! I'd never seen the actuall footage; just heard the songs! Thanks a lot!! Looking back, the promotion for the album was all over the place. The album was released in the USA AFTER the tour had started and people had seen them live a few months earlier. They should have definitely taken a break after the CBN tours. I might have put AKATO out in proper form (cd/vinyl, not only VHS) and would even release a single or two: 'Melting Pot' and the (FABULOUS) live version of 'Love Twist'. AKATO would be CC's ''Arena''. That's precisely what Duran did after promoting 'Seven and The Ragged Tiger''. They put 'Arena' out and released 'Wild Boys'. It was enough for them to have another hit album and single, without having to sit down and record a new record + go on tour.

[@JCesar-xf2bk]

I forgot to mention: 'The Dive' live sounds SO good... I still wish it'd been a single. Perhaps even the first one from the album!

[@MRDL236123]

If it had just been about art, it would have been. But they wrote War Song for commercial reasons, and needed to be released. I love the song, and appreciate the why's and how's it was decided to introduce this album, but it should have been a stand alone single. The Dive would have been a great first single, with Hello Goodbye a strong second choice.

[@JCesar-xf2bk]

@@MRDL236123 I've always thought that perhaps TWS should have been a stand alone single, just like you said. It'd be a chance for them not to go unnoticed in late 1984. If my memory serves me well, It's A Miracle was a hit in May. As for TWS being written and released for commercial reasons, I don't know if I agree, although you MAY be totally right. My reason for saying this is that in his first book, G said he was inspired by Two Tribes by FGTH, although he'd never admit it then. At the time, there were loads of anti-war songs in the charts, like McCartney's 'Pipes of Peace' and Nena's ''99 Red Ballons''. To ME, G wanted to be taken more seriously as a songwriter and wanted to write a more ''adult'' song. I like it, but I do think the chorus ''war war stupid and people are stupid'' throws his efforts in the trash. On a side note, as a foreigner who doesn't have English as my mother tongue, it always bothered me to sing ''After the bird HAS flown, he walked 10,000 miles back home"... The correct tense should have been the past participle (HAD flown), not the present participle... It's silly, I know. Native English speakers don't even pay attention to it, but for me singing this or Spandau Ballet's ''She DON'T talk to me" (Highly Strung) makes me very uneasy, because it reminds me of my several English lessons and exams! 🙂

[@MRDL236123]

@@JCesar-xf2bk My reference to "commercial reasons" are the same reasons you cite: George felt the need to do an anti-war song because everybody else was having massive hits with them. As for the English, his use of "has" isn't uncommon- at least not to my native ears- they do have slightly different meanings.

[@martypellow9908]

@@MRDL236123Thanks so much for posting this rarity. The Dive was an epic song that would have been a Top 10 hit. I agree should have been first single. I can see why they thought an anti war single might have made commercial sense in principle and get people talking, but the execution wasn’t commercial in the sense that it lost them a lot of fans. There was such a backlash to it and it really damaged their artistic credibility because of the lyrics mainly. It sounded like it was aimed at little kids or a novelty record vs something sophisticated like Time and a lot of former fans became embarrassed to buy a CC record. I remember thinking the album would be weak based on the lead single so was pleasantly surprised when the album was full of catchy songs. Don’t Talk About It would have been another strong single. Don’t understand the record company decisions on that album. Also a great song George gave to Helen, Come on and Find Me sounded like it could have been a CC hit. As a diehard fan I can appreciate TWS, great production, and it is camp and fun, but it really hurt their career among mainstream audiences imho. BG was just about the biggest artist in the world at that point after Michael Jackson yet TWS only got to 17 in the US. It makes me sad because the band could have been bigger for so much longer and they had so many other wonderful songs the world could have known. Am pleased that younger fans are discovering their music through KZbin. And videos like this! Thanks again for posting this.

[@JCesar-xf2bk]

@@MRDL236123 Oh, I see what you meant now. As for the English, well... It's always us, foreigners, who remember and live by the grammar rules.... 🙂I vividly remember every single English teacher I ever had saying that when you have 2 actions in the past, the one that happened first will be in the past participle and the one that happened after will be in the past tense. It was hammered into my brain, even when I lived in England and took English lessons there... 🙂I just can't get rid of it. But it's ok, though. 'Has' or 'had'.... The meaning was clear to me in the song. ;-) 🙂 Take care!

[@iainholmes2735]

Great stuff. A legendary time. This would have been a few days before George would fly back to UK for the Band Aid recording. Cheers

[@dannyechi2873]

Concert Details CORRECTION : Date: Monday, November 19, 1984 Venue: Spectrum Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States The Tower Theatre Show was the year before on August 31st, 1983. Geat job DAVID. Thank you again. Totally In synch mixing/edit. - what a gift. Memories!

[@letiziam.8773]

This is so precious for new fans and for those who didn't experience that era! Thank you so much!

[@australorp6367]

Love this. I was 17 when I bought this on cassette. I was so excited because it had all the words to every song on the album. I really liked this album when it came out. I still listen to it occasionally. I really liked Hello goodbye and Mistake # 3 were my favorites. The record store I go into sometimes has a huge promo poster for Waking Up on their wall. This poster is huge. Not sure what I would do with it, but I wouldn't mind having it.

[@club1fan552]

The record shop you go into now, or back then?

[@BadBadAngel3]

George's Norma Desmond look. This is wonderful, thanks Mr D.

[@guillaumefombeur9591]

Great video....i had the recording on audio tape in 84/85 40 years later, still swinging

[@mdelpinosantanarodriguez5525]

Precioso, increíble lo he gozado maravillada...Millones de gracias Mr David ❤

[@user-rn6mc2il9x]

2024年の4月にボーイジョージに会えるとは思わなかった、1984年のコンサートだけど凄く新鮮です。デビッドさんありがとう❤🎉カルチャークラブがよみがえってきて、さらには最近のコンサートが配信されていて感激しかありません。毎日ボーイジョージのコンサートが一緒にいます。❤

[@jdr2006]

My favorite album!!! Thanks!

[@akerr2002]

this is so wonderful to see the only other one is the bbc one but the set list is completely different which is great

[@Mariseteprestes]

Thank you David!! I just wait for this for long time!! Amazing!!! ❤ Hugs from Brazil!

[@jorgedangelo3331]

Buenas! excelente recital! gracias por compartir!

[@Diana-nt4zg]

How wonderful is to revive those days, my sweet George I love him ♥️♥️♥️🌹🌹 Thank you Mr.David 😍

[@smokeyeyeguy3760]

For 'DECADES' I have waited to see this!! I saw this show in London at the end of the tour, and it is still to this day one of the best concerts I have ever been to. Thank you so much David. 😊

[@tcapuzzo1]

They were at the top of their game right here....😊

[@smokeyeyeguy3760]

@@tcapuzzo1 Absolutely! 👌🏆

[@user-nr6kz3jd2c]

I miss those days..Amazing!!Thank you..

[@mysteryboy72]

Thanks so much for this. Great to see the full show. So well done, you would never know the audio was over layed.

[@CultureClubHistory]

Did you see CC in Sydney....I was hoping to bump into you there...

[@mysteryboy72]

@@CultureClubHistory Yes of cause I was there. Thought I might see you too. Did see a few others I know, as you always do. Did you enjoy the concert?

[@mysteryboy72]

@@CultureClubHistory I’m intrigued

[@lazybelphegore6748]

There were four gorgeous guys in that band, even though one looked like a girl; they were still all gorgeous. That doesn’t get said enough. The band was talented and produced two wonderful albums full of magic. The magic was gone before the third album was released.

[@jamesfiksdal5638]

Thank you so much for sharing this!😊

[@jamblicus]

Wonderful! thanks for sharing!

[@antonybald8499]

Love memory’s… good times 🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍

[@user-gw6no6pe7r]

やっぱりTimeがカッコイイ！

[@martalilianvalentini3737]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@bryanmorgan4929]

Love it, David! Thanks! 🎤

[@markelliott6591]

Ok good been looking for this for about 2 years, thanks so much for uploading this ❤

[@lorellearmstrong8059]

Thank u for putting this together. Love it.

[@CrimsonEssence]

Thanx much...adore this!!!;)🖤❤️‍🔥🌹🍁

[@cedricblua4162]

VERY VERY VERY THANKS!

[@lamoorelinkous9177]

Thank you , thank you, thank you!! As a 40 year long fan of CC, I never got to see them until their Big Rewind tour in the 90's. So seeing this magic!! Oh, how I would have given anything to have seen them back during this time!!

[@brians3987]

As I am a singer and songwriter and musician all these years later and now that I'm way older now I finally figured it out. The songs were always too fast when played live for boy george not to shout the words and try to catch some breath. He always ad libbed and compromised his vocals to make up for it. He has a beautiful voice and if the tempo was somewhat slower like they should be he would have sounded so much better live. The band should have realized this. He always seemed to try and keep up with the band. The band should follow him. They are his accompaniment. Give him time to croon. That was his best vocal feature. If you notice he sings better with just the keyboard accompaniment because he has freedom to express. Helen Terry was sadly missed on this tour. Thank God they brought her in on the recording of the album to add in that excellent voice of a white irish girl that surely tops the two backup singers he had here. I always said Helen Terry was a fantastic black singer even though she wasn't a woman of color! As a big fan of Culture Club I will say that Waking up with the house on Fire album was my favorite. Sad it didn't get the credit it deserves. It was jazzy and I loved it! Still do. ❤️

[@glamnesianouveaux2039]

Oh WOW, thanks for this!!!!! - Finally, Hello Goodbye and Dangerous Man I can see actually on video!!!!!!! THANK YOUUUUUUU!!!!!!!

[@pattygonzales3791]

Hola boy george Como estas❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@BrianKitching-wv5nh]

Great video and thanks for uploading. I first heard of Culture Club when i saw their song Karma Chameleon on Top Of The Pops in the UK.I have liked them ever since. Who were the band please? Thanking You Brian in the UK

[@CultureClubHistory]

🙌🏼

[@squilly00]

It was the Spectrum, not tower. i was there!

[@MRDL236123]

Thanks for the info.

[@squilly00]

sure.they were too big at the time for tower. @@MRDL236123

[@squilly00]

i saw them at the tower too b4 color by numbers was released.@@MRDL236123

[@joseorgeiglesias7726]

💖💥💖💥💖

[@loiteringwithintent461]

This is wonderful to see. They're so proffessional here, so seasoned yet spontaneous. They were very talented musicians and by 1984 with non-stop touring under their belt, they sounded amazing. It is quite astounding that they were only in their early 20s and held such star power. George looks breathtakingly beautiful even with the poor quality of the source material. What a great synch! I wonder why the tape exists in the first place. There has even been a few editing effects added, which makes me think that since the taped concert involved some post production it was intended as some sort of promo, maybe in-company or to retailers? Was it a project intended for tv or broadcast? The troubles have been mentioned by others commenting, and I wanted to add my 2 cents. I think there was some mismanagent of the band. They could have been advised better around this time and they could have been reigned in abit. They were just kids, on top of the world, yet along with Duran the biggest band in the world. Why didn't Virgin and their management protect and nurture what they had? CC obviously wanted to challenge Frankie, but should have been made aware that Frankie wasn't a big band in America, and CC were smarter to play the long game. Boy George, as another commentor pointed out, was the biggest star in the world next to Michael Jackson. As a big fan of the band then, I will perhaps always be mystified by the sudden backlash and what went wrong. It's so long ago now but I think George has always claimed in the past that it was a poorly received album, that the music wasn't good, that the producer didn't do a good job, he's even claimed that his vocals weren't good on WUWTHOF. But I feel the music is there. His singing on that album is the best of his career (again, you can tell by Georhes stunning vocals on WUWTHOF that the band had toured extensively and were getting slicker and more proffessional all the time). Hits are what sells albums, and there are many potential hit songs on that album. It's a really strong, commercial set of songs, the band could patently play them excellent live. One problem is George himself. He was so powerful at this stage of his career that he was hard to manage and hard to contain. He was getting in his own way. The other problem was a certain homophobia in the media. Now, Duran or Wham didn't have to contend with that at all, very unfair really. The next problem was Virgin and management. Missing Live Aid the year after, another huge miss. Culture Club. What could have been.

[@MRDL236123]

This was recorded with a VCR connected to the video mixing board in the concert venue. All the FX seen here were done live for the screens, with minimal edits done by me to keep the synch in synch! (Like still frames when the video went black, like the end of "Unfortunate Thing".)

[@rosangelamateus7556]

Sensacional 👏 👏 👏

[@glamnesianouveaux2039]

WHY OH WHY WAS HELLO GOODBYE NOT A SINGLE, SIGH.

[@Marina-xk4di]

Хорошенький!!! Великолепный Джордж!!!!!!!

[@adam8268]

Why did they not play as many songs at Birmingham NEC?

[@MRDL236123]

They did, but the broadcast was edited for time.

[@adam8268]

@@MRDL236123can’t believe at the time I never noticed it as I was at the Birmingham NEC just not the night it was filmed. Marilyn was there one night. George seems happier in this than the NEC

[@club1fan552]

What a time warp! Hate "Waking up". Their worst album by far. George said "The war song" ruined his career...he might be right; it was certainly the beginning of the end, although it sold very well. Thought "Don't mind if I do" was a great album, extremely refined, but barely made a ripple. What a waste.

[@user-zn4mm7fp4e]

Genial