Soft Cell's release of "Tainted Love" in July 1981, today 43 years ago, marked a seminal moment in the landscape of synthpop and new wave music. Originally a 1964 soul song by Gloria Jones, Soft Cell's rendition transformed it into a global hit, characterized by its distinctive electronic instrumentation and Marc Almond's emotive vocal delivery. The duo, comprised of Almond and David Ball, infused the track with a dark, edgy energy, capturing the disillusionment and angst of the early 80s youth.
The song's minimalist production, driven by a hypnotic synth riff and a pulsating rhythm, was groundbreaking. It effectively harnessed the emerging technology of synthesizers, which became a defining feature of the era's sound. Soft Cell's version of "Tainted Love" also included a segue into "Where Did Our Love Go" (Originally by The Supremes) in its extended 12-inch format, adding a fresh twist to their cover and showcasing their creative approach to music production.Marc Almond said that this decision was not the duo's, recounting, "If only we'd put our own song on it then we would be considerably richer", while David Ball described the medley as "the most costly idea of our career".
"Tainted Love" received critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100. Its popularity was further cemented by its extensive airplay on MTV, contributing to the song's international reach. The track's themes of romantic turmoil and betrayal resonated widely, making it an anthem of heartbreak and emotional resilience.
Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" not only elevated the duo to stardom but also influenced the trajectory of electronic music. It paved the way for future synthpop artists and remains an enduring classic, frequently covered and sampled across genres. The song's legacy endures, reflecting its impact on popular culture and its status as a quintessential piece of 80s music history.
One on the most remarkable cover versions is without doubt British experimental band Coil's version of "Tainted Love”, released in 1985, which arrangements are heavily changed in contrary to Soft Cell's version, slowed down to the point when it gives a terrifying impression. “Tainted Love” was drastically re-arranged by Coil to reflect HIV/AIDS epidemic, emerged in the early 1980s and was regarded as the first AIDS benefit release.
In 2001 Marilyn Manson covered "Tainted Love" with an arrangement based on Soft Cell's version. It was released in November 2001 as a single from the Not Another Teen Movie soundtrack.
7" Single (BZS 2)
| A1 | Tainted Love | 2:40 | |
| A2 | Where Did Our Love Go | 3:14 | |
12" Single (BZS 212)
| A1 | Tainted Love | 2:40 | |
| A2 | Where Did Our Love Go | 3:14 | |
| AA | Tainted Love / Where Did Our Love Go | 8:55 |
