In the winter of 1982, Culture Club—fronted by the flamboyant and enigmatic Boy George—released what would become one of the most enduring songs of the early 1980s: “Time (Clock of the Heart).” While Culture Club had already made waves with the success of “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,” this song showed a different side of the band, one that wasn’t simply about image or gender politics, but about something more universal – regret, love, and the passage of time.
The track’s success wasn’t just commercial. “Time” became a cultural touchstone, a quintessential example of early ’80s pop that could blend radio-friendly hooks with deeper emotional resonance. Boy George’s unmistakable voice – both tender and commanding -gave life to the song’s reflective lyrics, revealing a vulnerability, a sense that no amount of makeup or costumes could ever hide the pain that lingers when love dissolves.
If you read my interview with Hlynur Sölvi and listened to Hot To The Touch you probably won’t be surprised to find that he’s one of the best new remixers to grace the scene this year.
As with much of Hlynur’s work, “Time“ is filled with an undeniable craft – a careful layering of synth lines that seem hand-stitched, each note meticulously chosen to evoke a specific feeling. The track pulses with a fresh urgency, the drums and percussion drawing from both the soulful undercurrent of ’60s R&B and the futuristic soundscapes of early ’80s pop.
For the purists, “Time” holds a distinct appeal – a song steeped in the soul tradition, even as it moves within the slick, polished world of new wave. But it’s also a remix that calls out to a new generation, those rediscovering the emotional heft of classic songs, now polished with a fresh, shiny veneer that bridges decades. The song feels timeless, not just because of its theme, but because of its sound—anchored in the heartache of yesterday, while beating with the pulse of tomorrow.
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