Music / Waking Up with the House on Fire

Waking Up with the House on Fire

Waking Up with the House on Fire is the third studio album from Culture Club, released in 1984.

Tracklist:

Side One

1. "Dangerous Man"
2. "The War Song"
3. "Unfortunate Thing"
4. "Crime Time"
5. "Mistake No. 3"

Side Two

1. "The Dive"
2. "The Medal Song"
3. "Don't Talk About It"
4. "Mannequin"
5. "Hello Goodbye"

Bonus Tracks (2003 CD Remaster)

1. "La Cancion De Guerra"
2. "Love Is Love"
3. "The Dream"
4. "Don't Go Down That Street"

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Principal Members:

• Boy George – vocals
• Mikey Craig – bass guitar
• Roy Hay – guitar, piano, keyboards, sitar, electric sitar
• Jon Moss – percussion, drums

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This album provides examples of:

• Burn the Witch!: In "The War Song":
  Like a Philistine, we're burning witches too.
• Face on the Cover: Boy George as a Fiery Redhead, with other members of the band featured on the right.
• Gratuitous Japanese: "Don't Go Down That Street" has a few lines spoken in Japanese.
• Gratuitous Spanish: "La Cancion De Guerra" is simply "The War Song" with part of its lyrics sung in Spanish.
• Lipstick Mark: In "Crime Time":
  Playing Fats Waller, lipstick on your collar.
• Lyrical Cold Open: "Mannequin"
• One-Word Title: "Mannequin"
• Pay Evil unto Evil: In "Unfortunate Thing":
  Laughing at the rumour that you've been screwing someone.
  Laugh, better cry, it could be your turn next time.
• Protest Song: "The War Song"
• Record Producer: Steve Levine
• Shout-Out:
  • "The Dream" mentions Alice In Wonderland.
  • "The War Song" quotes Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig in the Sky", complete with Clare Torry on vocals.
• Silly Love Songs: "Love Is Love", from the movie Electric Dreams.
• The Something Song: "The War Song" and "The Medal Song".
• Special Guest: Boy George's friend Miko in "Don't Go Down That Street".
• War Is Hell: "The War Song".