“Tainted Love” written by Ed Cobb, “Where Did Our Love Go”

written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland

produced by Mike Thorne

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I’m making this page July 9th, 2021, the 64th birthday of Peter

Mark Sinclair Almond, who goes professionally by Marc Almond,

co-founder and lead singer of Soft Cell. Happy Birthday, MA!!

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Soft Cell originated in West Yorkshire, England, formed and consisting of Marc and David Ball. The band materialized in 1977, their heyday lasting seven years before the first breakup and reunion. They signed with indie label Some Bizzare to start, releasing their debut album shortly after the label was founded. Autumn ’81 brought forth the first full-length Soft Cell album, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret. Originally, side one, track two of the album was the 2½-minute “Tainted Love,” which nailed #1 in no fewer than 17 countries. When released as a single, the b-side was “Where Did Our Love Go.” The 20-year-later re-release included the 12” version of both songs fused together as a 9-minute bonus track.

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So actually, technically, this is two different songs here I’m covering as one—so sort of a double birthday tribute (you’re extra special, Marc), as “Where Did Our Love Go” was recorded at the same time but left off the NSEC project. It was released as a bonus track on the 1996 special edition, but, really... anyone who knows Soft Cell pretty much knows these two songs belong together: they were recorded for that purpose—they were strung together as a medley (even though that wasn’t included on the debut album either)—they’re in the same key, at the same tempo... medley’d together is the way they should be.

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What everyone knows is that “Where Did Our Love Go” was originally a Diana Ross & The Supremes hit song. What not everyone knows, however, is that “Tainted Love” was also a ’60s cover, penned by Four Preps member Ed Cobb, and originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964. “Love Go,” as we know, needed no help maintaining acclaim as a beloved Supreme classic. But there’s no denying that Soft Cell breathed a world of new life into “Tainted Love”—with most fans not even aware it was a cover.

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I dare you to try and find someone over the age of 30 who doesn’t know this song, or can’t warble their own rendition. And who does not feel the need to punctuate with their own percussion—be it clapping their hands, punching the air, slapping their thighs—at just the moments we all can identify: “Sometimes I feel I’ve got to—” BOMP! BOMP! “run away, I’ve got to—” BOMP! BOMP! “get away...”

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Positively iconic, still 40 years later. I’d expect nothing less.

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Have notes to add? Let me know!

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YT:

full original version (“Tainted Love”)

full original version (“Where Did Our Love Go”)

full extended 12” (medley)

music video (“Tainted Love”)

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Soft Cell’s official website