Boy George version[edit]

"Everything I Own"

Single by Boy George

from the album Sold

B-side "Use Me"

Released March 13, 1987 (UK)

1993 (US)

Recorded 1986 in Montserrat

Genre Reggae

Length 4:00

Label Virgin

Songwriter(s) David Gates

Producer(s) Stewart Levine

Boy George singles chronology

 "Everything I "Keep Me in
Own" Mind"
(1987) (1987)

"The Crying "Everything I "More Than

Game" Own" Likely"
(1992) (1993) (1993)

Alternative cover

Music video

"Everything I Own" on YouTube

The version by British singer and songwriter Boy George reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for
two weeks in March 1987, becoming his first hit and only UK No. 1 as a solo artist. [21] It was also his
first solo single after a departure from his band, Culture Club. Owing more to the Ken Boothe
version, the sweet reggae style was reminiscent of his earlier debut hit with Culture Club, "Do You
Really Want to Hurt Me?".
Coming at the time of his arrest for possession of heroin, it provided a major boost to his career.
Other than the UK, it was a No. 1 in many countries (including Canada, Ireland, Italy, Norway and
South Africa) and top 10 in many markets too. The track was recorded during the "Sold" sessions at
Air Studios Montserrat and produced by Stewart Levine. The musicians were Ian Maidman (later aka
Jennifer Maidman) bass and guitar, Vic Martin keyboards, Glen Nightingale guitar, Richie Stevens
drums, and Paul 'Wix' Wickens keyboards .[citation needed]
Boy George played this song many times in his live shows. He re-recorded the track in an acoustic
style (named the Hippy Trippy Mix) and it was released on the American CD single of "Everything I
Own", a re-release from 1993. It was also remixed in a dub version for the Culture Club 2002 box
set.[citation needed]
Critical reception[edit]
William Ruhlmann from AllMusic stated in his review of Sold, "But it's still that bouncy, vulnerable
voice, notably on the reggae-tinged hit "Everything I Own", that remains his trademark."[22] On the
1993 version, Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Refurbished for George's new "At Worst, The
Best Of" compilation, oh-so charming track should meet with greater approval this time around—
thanks to George's revived strength at radio and radio's increasing penchant for reggaevibed
covers."[23]
Irish newspaper Kerryman wrote that the singer "returns with the deceptive tune that was aired by
American group Bread. While it may not be a brilliant return the Boy needs our support. Lets hope
this will mark the beginning of a full rehabilitation."[24] A reviewer from People Magazine described it
as an "atrocious" reggae version, and added, "To fit the reggae meter George must resort to a sort
of hiccup on the chorus, “I would give everything I o-own." Oh-oh, Boy!" [25]
British newspaper Reading Evening Post reviewed the song as a "croaky and tired sounding version
of the old hit."[26] Pete Clark of Smash Hits noted that for this cover version, George "opts for the
reggae approach", and deemed "this might just mark the beginning of a full rehabilitation". [27]