Throwback Thursday: Soft Cell

Not now, and never have been, a one-hit wonder!

Do you remember “Tainted Love,” by Soft Cell?

Of course you do. It’s possibly the MOST played, and overplayed, eighties hit. Closely followed by Asia’s “Heat of The Moment,” and several others.

Even in 2024, I hear it at the gym, at the grocery store, when we’re listening to either the modern rock station or the classics station. It’s everywhere. And we loved it. Until we heard it JUST a bit too often.

Not A One-Hit Wonder

I first heard “Tainted Love” at the roller rink. Yes, I’m that old, and that was the tween hangout of choice when we could get a ride from our parents. But it would be years later, in high school and college, when enterprising mix tape making friends would lead me to deeper cuts.

Isn’t it nice, sugar and spice
Luring disco dollies to a life of vice.

Soft Cell are often mislabeled as a one-hit wonder. Possibly by individuals believing the US charts are the only charts that matter. Say it ain’t so! Soft Cell had six UK Top 10 hits. And twelve UK Top 40 hits. Not the hit-making machines of the ‘80s and ‘90s, but they’re no slouch.

You and I, it had to be
The standing joke of the year
You were a sleep around
A lost and found
And not for me I fear

The Playlist(s)

This is not a list of the hits, nor is it a list of Spotify’s most listened tracks. These are my five favorite Soft Cell, and Soft Cell featuring Marc Almond, tracks. There are originals, there are covers, there are duets, and there are fantastically fun songs for listening and sharing. Oh, and there’s plenty of falsetto!

Listen with Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/throwback-thursday/pl.u-JPAZzeVsLZrxV7P

Soft Cell fan? What songs would make your Top 5?

Also, are you good with me swapping out Throwback Thursday posts with Threepeat Thursdays posts, every other week?