This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Give me time to realize my crime
Let me love and steal
I have danced inside your eyes
How can I be real?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Precious kisses, words that burn me
Lovers never ask you why
In my heart the fire is burning
Choose my color, find a star
Precious people always tell me
That's a step, a step too far
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Words are few I have spoken
I could waste a thousand years
Wrapped in sorrow, words are token
Come inside and catch my tears
You've been talking but believe me
If it's true you do not know
This boy loves without a reason
I'm prepared to let you go
If it's love you want from me
Then take it away
Everything's not what you see
It's over again
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Let me love and steal
I have danced inside your eyes
How can I be real?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Precious kisses, words that burn me
Lovers never ask you why
In my heart the fire is burning
Choose my color, find a star
Precious people always tell me
That's a step, a step too far
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Words are few I have spoken
I could waste a thousand years
Wrapped in sorrow, words are token
Come inside and catch my tears
You've been talking but believe me
If it's true you do not know
This boy loves without a reason
I'm prepared to let you go
If it's love you want from me
Then take it away
Everything's not what you see
It's over again
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Do you really want to hurt me?
Do you really want to make me cry?
Lyrics submitted by magicnudiesuit
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me Lyrics as written by Jonathan Moss George O'dowd
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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great tune, great beat, great bass, great production, great video (love the Jamaican dancers) <br /> <br /> why so few comments?<br /> <br /> I used to get stoned and seduce the hottest babes to this tune
I love it when they make fun of Boy George on "The Wedding Singer" but this is a good song and Im not afraid to admit it!
i can see that im the only one who will admit they like this song!
i like the video - he's in a law court and he's wearing pyjamas - what the f**k!?? mark
I love the song, and I adore Boy George, but...Did he have to do that dancing around stuff in the video? Well, let's just let him get down with his gay self.
LOL
I heard that he wrote this song for his boyfriend, Jon Moss...Jon was never really comfortable about the relationship. In the video, you can even see him sort of looking at Jon sadly. But then in the video, you also see him dancing around in the 30s and the 50s, times when homosexuality was very unacceptable, so the song might also be asking people to accept who he is.
I very much agree to what TheYipskee wrote
@TheYipskee Yeah VH-! Behind the Music highlighted the hidden love affair. Jon Moss is from a wealthy family and they weren't havin' it. So I think he used to "play" with Boy George and that is reflected in many of the lyrics in several songs. After the final break up is when Boy's drug use exploded and he lost his way.
@TheYipskee OMG, Just read the lyrics to don't Talk About It. This really hits their situation on the head. It just always surprised me that the group knew these songs were about Boy and Jon and were fine with it. Then Jon just performed in the songs as well without batting an eye (I guess liked being the muse).
such a great song yet little comments. why won't people open up and admit they like this song? im not sure of the meaning though so please excuse my ignorance
Boy George/Culture Club had some songs with absolutely awesome LYRICS (not all there songs, but some are amazing). Anyone know if they wrote their own stuff???
I admit the music does sound a dated in 2006, but come on the lyrics to this are still awesome. Great songwriting.
Songs like this and "Crying Game" need to be covered more. But they aren't; because people are afraid of the gay/transsexual connotation with these songs. They are so afraid that if they cover these beautiful songs people will point, laugh and yell "GAY!"
It's such a shame!!
Oh, and the meaning of this song is so obvious so I don't need to go into that.
Sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude with my post. I didn't realize that the person right above me said they didn't get the meaning of the song.
Well, there is an old saying "You hurt the ones you love" and there you go. That's the meaning of the song.