"Colour by Numbers" is the second album by the British new wave group Culture Club, released in October 1983. The album features the massive hit single "Karma Chameleon," which reached number one in several countries, helping the album itself to top the UK charts. It has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, earning certifications of triple platinum in the UK and quadruple platinum in the US. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 96 on their list of the 100 Best Albums of the 1980s.
Colour by Numbers continued the commercial success of Culture Club's debut album, Kissing to Be Clever. The album includes several hit singles, with all tracks charting on the US Dance Club Songs chart. Notable songs include "Karma Chameleon," the album's signature track and a worldwide hit; "Church of the Poison Mind," which reached number two in the UK and made the top 10 in several other countries; "Miss Me Blind," achieving top five status in the US and Canada; "It's A Miracle," which became a top 10 or top 20 hit in multiple markets; and "Victims," a top five hit in the UK and Australia but not released as a single in the US. The album peaked at number two on the US charts, trailing behind Michael Jackson's Thriller for six consecutive weeks.
The album was produced by Steve Levine at Red Bus Studios in London, where the band recorded their debut. They collaborated with session musicians, including keyboardist Phil Pickett and backing vocalist Helen Terry. The songwriting was influenced by pop history, with melodies inspired by artists like Gilbert O'Sullivan and Stevie Wonder.
Colour by Numbers is regarded by the band members as their best work. It has been remastered and re-released several times, including special editions featuring bonus tracks. In 2014, Boy George curated a live performance of the album with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring various guest artists, highlighting the album's enduring impact.
