Song:Tainted Love
Album:The Very Best Of Soft Cell
Soft Cell's 1981 cover of the 60s soul classic Tainted Love has proven to be one of the more durable records of the early 80s New Wave movement. It was also very influential in its use of synthesizers. Soft Cell was formed in 1978 when Marc Almond and David Ball met at Leeds Polytechnic in England. They started experimenting with electronic instruments. At first they wanted to compose music for stage shows. But then they figured out they could do more than that. Ball's mother financed the 1980 EP Mutant Moments and this led to a record deal with Phonogram's Some Bizarre label. The single Memorabilia got some interest at dance clubs but their other singles flopped and Phonogram was unhappy. They gave Soft Cell one last chance. Tainted Love was written by Ed Cobb of The Four Preps and he produced Gloria Jones' 1965 recording. It flopped but became a favourite in England's Northern Soul circuit in the 70s. That's where Almond heard the song. Tainted Love was first released as a medley with The Supremes' classic Where Did Our Love Go. Soft Cell's performance of Tainted Love on Top of the Pops propelled the song to the top of the British charts. The song became a worldwide hit after Phonogram chopped the second part of the medley. It reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Unfortunately Soft Cell became the victim of their own excess and drug abuse. They split up in 1984. They had some other minor hits in England which are on this comp. Tainted Love was #2 on VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders. Marc Almond has recorded solo for years. David Ball formed The Grid and then got into record production. Soft Cell have reunited a few times including for a 2001 tour. A remix of Tainted Love was released in 1991. Tainted Love was a big influence on other synth pop artists and it is frequently sampled. Here's the video for Tainted love by Soft Cell.
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