DRUGS and CONTROVERSY: The BIZARRE Story of Soft Cell's 'Tainted Love'

Video Description

Today we are talking about the song 'Tainted Love' by Soft Cell and how the band smashed records with their cover of the song. Have a video request or a topic you'd like to see us cover? Fill out our google form! https://bit.ly/3stnXlN -----CONNECT ON SOCIAL----- TIKOK:https://www.tiktok.com/@rocknrolltruestory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocknrolltruestories Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RNRTrueStories Twitter: https://twitter.com/rocktruestories Blog: www.rockandrolltruestories.com #softcell #taintedlove I cite my sources and they may differ than other people's accounts, so I don't guarantee the actual accuracy of my videos. These videos are for entertainment purposes only. READ OUR DISCLAIMER https://rockandrolltruestories.com/youtube-disclaimer/ Soft Cell's iconic cover of "Tainted Love" - a record-breaking hit that almost never happened. Originally written by Ed Cobb and first recorded by Gloria Jones in 1965, the song's journey to success is filled with unexpected twists and turns. Soft Cell, formed by Marc Almond and David Ball at Leeds Polytechnic in 1977, transformed from an experimental art school project into one of the most influential synth-pop duos of the 1980s. After a failed first single and facing pressure from their label, they chose to cover "Tainted Love" as their last chance at success. The song's path to fame began when a British DJ discovered Jones' original version on a freight elevator floor in America, introducing it to the UK's Northern Soul scene. Soft Cell's slower, darker synth-pop interpretation, released in 1981, initially faced resistance. Their controversial Top of the Pops performance, featuring Almond's provocative appearance, sparked nationwide reactions - as he recalled, "People wanted to either kill me, marry me, or f*** me." Despite initial skepticism, "Tainted Love" became a massive hit, reaching #1 in 17 countries and selling over 1.35 million copies in the UK alone. However, its success in America was nearly derailed by a record label mistake. The US release omitted the crucial segue into "Where Did Our Love Go" that made the import version so popular in clubs. Once corrected, the song climbed the US charts, setting a Guinness World Record with an unprecedented 43-week stay on the Billboard Hot 100. American critics were baffled by its success, with the LA Times declaring it didn't belong in the top 10 alongside polished hits from acts like Fleetwood Mac and REO Speedwagon. Despite its commercial triumph, Soft Cell made little money from the song since they didn't write it. The band released their debut album "Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret" in late 1981, recorded in New York City's vibrant music scene. Though they achieved further UK hits with "Bedsitter" and "Say Hello Wave Goodbye," the pressures of fame and substance abuse led to their breakup in 1984. "Tainted Love" continued to influence popular culture, gaining new meaning during the AIDS epidemic through Coil's 1985 cover version and later being reimagined by artists like Marilyn Manson and Rihanna. Soft Cell reunited in 2001 and continues to release music and perform occasionally. This video explores how an obscure B-side became a timeless hit that broke records and challenged the music industry's expectations, proving that sometimes the most unlikely songs can become the biggest successes.