"Church of the Poison Mind" is a 1983 hit single for the British pop band Culture Club. It was the first single to be released from their second album Colour by Numbers.
The song is characterized partly for its Motown feel; indeed, the opening of "Church of the Poison Mind" sounds similar to Stevie Wonder's hit, "Uptight (Everything's Alright)". The harmonica solo was played by Jud Lander. The subject of the song is an attack on the attitudes of certain churches and faiths on homosexuality.
The song reached #2, being kept off the top spot by David Bowie's "Let's Dance". It was a Top 10 hit in Canada and the United States. In the latter it was still climbing the charts when "Karma Chameleon" was released elsewhere, and subsequently became a huge hit. This prompted Epic Records to release "Karma" ahead of schedule. "Church of the Poison Mind" actually reached its peak position the same week "Karma" debuted on the US charts. In many countries its B-side was the heavily-percussive street song "Man Shake" and in some others, such as the United States, it was the song "Mystery Boy". Both songs were on the 12-inch in many countries, except Canada, where it was issued with an extended version of previous hit "I'll Tumble 4 Ya".
In this single, Helen Terry became famous as the female backup singer with such a powerful voice.
Famous quotes containing the words church of, church, poison and/or mind:
“Place before your eyes two Precepts, and two only. One is, Preach the Gospel; and the other is—Put down enthusiasm! ... The Church of England in a nutshell.”
—Humphrey, Mrs. Ward (1851–1920)
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
—Bible: New Testament, Ephesians 3:20-21.
“Yes, in the long run there is something to be said for these shiftless days, each distilling its drop of poison until the cup is full; there is something to be said for them because there is no escaping them.”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)
“Time is a horse that runs in the heart, a horse
Without a rider on a road at night.
The mind sits listening and hears it pass.”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)