Peter Murphy \Photo by Jolene Siana. Boy George photo by Dean Stockings
Today, two forces of nature, Peter Murphy and Boy George, release a heartfelt offering to a world craving solace. Let the Flowers Grow unfolds with stately elegance. Written by Boy George as a personal ode to acceptance, the song has blossomed into something greater, reaching across divides of race, gender, creed, and faith—a universal plea for empathy and unity.
The collaboration was pure synchronicity: Murphy was in Spain working with Youth on a new album, and during a lull, he heard a piece of music emanating from his cellphone: “It caught my ear for its melodic beauty as well as a Roy Orbison-like voice that sang the song,” Murphy recalls. Learning that it was an unfinished demo that Boy George had written, Peter was intrigued and asked Youth if he could work on the partial song. Twenty minutes later, the song was completed.
The two had already known each other for years: “I first met Boy George when he asked to be allowed backstage to meet Howard Devoto when Bauhaus were supporting Magazine,” recalls Murphy. “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.”
Murphy’s deep baritone strikes with timeless strength, while Boy George’s voice wraps around the melody, soulful and stirring. Both artists pour passion into this piece, elevating it with their combined presence, creating a moment of grace that feels desperately needed. It’s a reminder of love and understanding, a song that hopes to plant seeds of connection and watch them bloom.
“When I heard the mix, I was satiated in every way,” says Boy George. “I have always loved Pete’s voice and his writing on this adds a beautiful darkness. The production feels very epic, like Scott Walker.”
The lyrics trace a journey of self-discovery and resilience, where the narrator grapples with seeking approval yet strains toward independence. In these lines, we see a reflection on family—on a mother’s sorrow, a father’s gaze, each lending shape to the evolution of the Self. They linger on a figure once idolized, perhaps held too high, now drifting into perspective. Alone in the city’s hum, an odd strength in solitude, as they make peace with change. Embracing isolation, they turn the city’s shadows into a sanctuary, transforming themselves against its pulse.
“With everything going on in the world about identity, (Let The Flowers Grow) feels very powerful,” explains Boy George. “It makes me dizzy and proud.”
“Boy George loved it and I’m so glad that he did,” Murphy concludes.
Let The Flowers Grow, produced by Youth (Killing Joke, Faith No More, Alien Sex Fiend, Siouxsie and the Banshees), is out today via Metropolis Records. You can listen to the song below and purchase it here.
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