Singer Boy George has vowed to dismiss any band members who refuse to perform his new song, "We Will Dance Again," which expresses a pro-Israel stance and incorporates artificial intelligence. The independent track, released late last month, is not available on major streaming platforms.
The song's title references a phrase used by Israelis expressing hope following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack. The lyrics include lines such as "You say genocide, I say war" and "I stand with the Jews." Boy George, who is not Jewish, described his position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as "a really personal thing," citing his many Jewish friends whom he would not abandon.
Boy George also defended his use of AI in the music-making process, arguing that it removed "human interference" that might have prevented him from recording the song. "The truth is, if I tried to write ‘We Will Dance Again’ with any musician, they would have gotten in my way," he stated.
"We Will Dance Again" has generated significant backlash. Shortly after its release, Boy George's manager, Paul Kemsley, announced the singer would withdraw from a London production of "Jesus Christ Superstar," where he was set to play King Herod. Kemsley stated the decision was made to allow the production to remain the focus and ensure mutual respect.
Additionally, Boy George announced on social media platform X that he had "parted company" with Tony Pontius, the manager of his independent record label, BGP, who reportedly wanted "nothing to do" with the new song. Boy George has continued to defend his views online, questioning why a single voice speaking up for Jewish people elicits such strong negative reactions when many voices protest for Palestine.
This is not the first time Boy George has utilized AI in his music. Earlier this year, he released a new version of Culture Club's 1983 hit "Karma Chameleon," featuring an AI-processed vocal track designed to replicate his younger sound.