"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".
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
7-inch vinyl
A. "Move Away" B. "Sexuality" (7-inch version (alternate mix))
12-inch vinyl
A. "Move Away" (extended mix) B. "Sexuality" (Tango dub remix version)
5-inch vinyl
A. "Move Away" B. "Sexuality"
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
1986 singles
1986 songs
Culture Club songs
Song recordings produced by Arif Mardin
Songs written by Boy George
Songs written by Jon Moss
Songs written by Mikey Craig
Songs written by Phil Pickett
Songs written by Roy Hay (musician) Virgin Records singles