- 2024-11-09
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MUSIC
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Peter Murphy & Boy George Team Up for New Song “Let the Flowers Grow”
British singer-songwriter and former Bauhaus vocalist Peter Murphy teamed up with British pop band Culture Club's Boy George to release a new song “Let the Flowers Grow” on November 8, 2024.
This marks the first collaboration between Peter Murphy and Boy George.
For Peter Murphy, the song is his first music in a decade since the 2014 album “Lion”
The song features these iconic, powerful vocalists delivering a message of acceptance and hope. Originally written by Boy George, its initial message was about personal acceptance of being gay. As the song developed, it took on a more expansive and universal scope, its lyrics extending beyond sexuality and embracing race, gender, creed, and religion.
The track was written by Boy George, Peter Murphy, and Youth who also produced it.
Peter Murphy said of the collaboration with Boy George, “I first met Boy George when he asked to be allowed backstage to meet Howard Devoto when Bauhaus were supporting Magazine. He struck me as a super-original, self-styled 17th century fop. The second time I met him was when we walked into the BBC to do 'Ziggy Stardust' on Top of the Pops where Culture Club were also making their debut on the show. George greeted me very warmly and I discovered he was a Bauhaus fan.”- He continued, “In Spain 20 years later, I was recording my new album with Youth. Whilst listening to a playback of a song during a lull, I heard a piece of music that was coming from Youth's cell phone. It caught my ear for its melodic beauty as well as a Roy Orbison-like voice that sang the song.”
He added, “I asked Youth what it was and he said it was an unfinished partial demo version of a song that Boy George had written with him. It only had one verse and a chorus. I was urged to have Youth prepare it for me to sing and finish what was missing - 1st verse, 3rd verse and harmonizing with Boy George on the choruses. In a matter of 20 minutes, we had 'Flowers...' finished and we played it for Boy George, who wasn't expecting it. He loved it and I'm so glad he did.” -
Boy George said of song, “When I heard the mix I was satiated in every way. I have always loved Pete's voice and his writing on this adds a beautiful darkness. With everything going on in the world about identity it feels very powerful. The production feels very epic like Scott Walker. It makes me dizzy and proud.”
Peter Murphy's photo by Jolene Siana
Boy George's photo by Dean Stockings - source : Apple Music
