"I Just Wanna Be Loved" is the first single from English new wave band Culture Club's fifth album, Don't Mind If I Do (1999). The song was serviced to US radio in August 1998 to promote the band's reformation US tour and the live album and compilation VH1 Storytellers/Greatest Moments, but it failed to generate interest. The song was then released commercially in October 1998 and entered at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart during a week when the top five positions were all held by new entries for the first time.[1] The song also became a top-20 hit in Iceland and on the Eurochart Hot 100 while reaching the top 100 in Australia and Germany.
"I Just Wanna Be Loved" | ||||
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Single by Culture Club | ||||
from the album Don't Mind If I Do | ||||
B-side | "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" (Quivver mix) | |||
Released | 19 October 1998 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:32 (album version) | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Richie Stevens | |||
Culture Club singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"I Just Wanna Be Loved" on YouTube |
The song received positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis noted its "light reggae influence" in his review of Don't Mind If I Do.[2] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that "this fine new recording shows 'em in far better form than on their last two '80s-era albums." He remarked that "set to a shuffling pop-reggae groove somewhat similar to their classic hit "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", "I Just Wanna Be Loved" tingles with warm yet worldly lyrics and a crazy-catchy chorus that you'll be humming for hours after one listen." He added that Boy George "is in peak vocal form, while band-mates Roy Hay, Jon Moss, and Mike Craig play with astonishingly sharp precision."[3] Sarah Davis from Dotmusic described it as "a lovers rock workout that evokes all the best memories of the Eighties", stating that George "is in fine voice".[4] Claudia Connell from News of the World commented, "Their original line-up, including Boy George, storms back with a brilliant pop song that should see the band return to the charts again after 12 years."[5]
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
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Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 11 August 1998 | Virgin | [17] | |
United Kingdom | 19 October 1998 |
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[18] | |
Japan | 21 October 1998 | CD | [19] |
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