"Move Away" is a song by British band Culture Club, issued as the lead single from their fourth album, From Luxury to Heartache (1986). The song was produced by Lew Hahn and Arif Mardin. Released in March 1986, it became the group's eighth top-10 hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number seven. In the United States, it reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their last top-40 hit in the US. It also reached the top 10 in various other countries, including Denmark, where it peaked at number three.
Critical reception On its release, Eleanor Levy of Record Mirror described "Move Away" as a "very clever, radio-orientated pop tune" with a "sparkling production" and "creditable performance". Jerry Smith of Music Week praised it as a "classic pop tune" on which George "delivers a strong vocal over [the] polished production". He added the song "certainly surpasses anything that appeared on the awful Waking Up with the House on Fire". Edwin Pouncey of Sounds was negative in his review, calling it "all sham and no song".
In the US, Cash Box praised the "effervescent production and Boy George’s rich, silky voice." Billboard said it consists of "guileless, breezy hooks."
Music video The video-clip for the song, which cast Boy George and Jon Moss as silent film-stars racing cars across a black/white movie screen, was filmed at the Brixton Academy, London. George's friend Alice Temple can also be seen in the video.
Track listings
U.S. / U.K. 7” “Move Away”- 4:10 “Sexuality”- 5:40
U.S. / U.K. 12” “Move Away (Extended Version)”-7:24 “Sexuality (Tango Dub Remix Version”- 5:00
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1986)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)10Denmark (IFPI)3Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)8US Cash Box Top 10014
Year-end charts Chart (1986)PositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)81Belgium (Ultratop)56Canada Top Singles (RPM)86Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)85
References