The meteoric rise and dramatic fall of Soft Cell

For a few years, Soft Cell set the world on fire. Tainted Love was one of the biggest songs and they could do no wrong. And then it all came crashing down.
This is the story of Soft Cell's meteoric rise and dramatic fall.
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[@josephdevlin7528]

I was a massive fan. I would never have thought of them as one hit wonders. Tainted Love is great but it is not even the best track they did. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye is arguably their best single. Check out Torch, Soul Inside or even Down in the Subway - all great hit singles. The b-side of Where the Heart Is is called It's a Mug's Game is also outstanding as is My Secret Life from the first album.

[@soundofhistory_]

They definitely had way more hits in England, but not really in the US. Part of the MTV effect that a lot of 80s new wave bands dealt with.

[@aaronchase1973]

They did the Judy Street northern soul cover of “What”, but it wasn’t going to set the 80’s chart success of TL, which was a shame, but Marc & Dave were trying to be too clever making Soft Cell art, rather than competing against their 80’s contemporaries in the charts. Soft Cell made videos, but I don’t think MTV even cared about their career after TL. So even a great song like “Torch”, “Say Hello Wave Goodbye” was something only a fan would enjoy if they bothered to buy the records or singles.

[@kennymik1509]

Will check them songs out. Thanks for the breadcrumbs.

[@melissaburton3450]

Say hello wave goodbye Such an amazing song , David grey does it justice

[@newforestpixie5297]

i wonder how his rotten parents reacted once Marc & his buddy became the most successful pop act of the year in Britain & in many countries. Especially if they were hard up . Boy that would’ve been sweet for him.

[@tomvanbreukelen2909]

I was a massive fan. Their first album and 12" singles were absolutely phenomenal. "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye", "Torch", "Memorabilia" and "Bed Sitter" were top notch.

[@Trident22]

Torch is a superb track.

[@zimriel]

"Bed Sitter" was the one which got some play on US radio (besides the cover song). Carter USM covered it and did well with it.

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

Here in the UK they were more than a one hit wonder. "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" is absolutely sublime... Martin is a track that appeared as a pack in 12 inch single with their 2nd album "The Art of Falling Apart" is also an absolute masterpiece.

[@susannahhunt100]

Americans rule the world so to them it is perceived to be a one hit wonder. They voted Trump back in FFS.

[@noneofyourbusiness4616]

"Sex Dwarf" actually helped me connect with a boss who didn't think highly of me. He walked into the room when I was playing it and thought it was hilarious and suddenly I was slightly less of a dweeb in his eyes.

[@2degucitas]

I swear I think KROQ played it just to annoy me

[@jessloya850]

I discovered Soft Cell back in 81, but I became a Marc Almond fan, Consider Marc one of the greatest performers and song writer

[@0therun1t21]

There is NO filler on Non Stop Cabaret, anyone who hears the whole album (in my experience) knows they're legends. Memorabilia was a club hit too, I listen to it pretty often, and the NIN remake, that's the creepiest remake ever, sounds more like a serial k1ller taking trophies. I was hoping you'd bring up Sex Dwarf, everyone I know loves it! I really wish it hadn't caused them grief, it's a permanent collection song, like most of their stuff. I'm glad they both still make music but I haven't heard the latest stuff, I really hope Marc got his voice back because the last time I heard him live his voice was wrecked, it made me cry it was so messed up, please tell me he has his beautiful voice back.

[@BabyBoy-pt3gb]

To me personally “This last night in Sodom” is their magna opus. I put it on for a listen every now and then and still think it’s brilliant

[@CaraStyles-jq2uv]

Mr.Self Destruct.Is a classic.

[@SusanBlakely-pd6mp]

Should be more Soft Cell stuff on the net, underrated group, thanks for doing this...thought Torch was one of the best records of the eighties.

[@franciscoassisgiocondo5932]

In 1983 i was in the army here in BRAZIL ( SOUTH AMERICA) and SOFT CELL play on radio all the time and the soldiers love it !!!😂 What good times was the 80's ! I WANT A TIME MACHINE PLEASE ! This is it, a big hug. Bye.

[@AlexKnowlton]

I'm a lifelong fan of Soft Cell and Marc's solo stuff. Sometimes it would take a while to grow on me, but I absolutely love their output, especially the first 3 albums and related EPs. This Last Night in Sodom has a bunch of under-recognized bangers-"Little Rough Rhinestone", "Surrender To a Stranger", and "Where Was Your Heart (When You Needed it Most.)". The music is as great as the lyrics.

[@davidjames3080]

I was a massive fan here in the UK, I was 13 when Tainted Love came out so I grew up with Soft Cell being my favourite band (and then Marc Almond my favourite singer following that), and their first 5 singles were all top 5 hits in the UK. They weren't quite mainstream and my friends thought I was a little strange by being a fan of them rather than the normal bands that people gravitated to at that time, but then I never was one that followed like sheep! Absolutely love The Art of Falling Apart album - Heat is a massively underestimated classic. And Marc went on to create some amazing albums - Vermine in Ermine, Stories of Johnny, The Stars We are, The Tenement Symphony are all great albums that I still play to this day.

[@BrendaSP13]

You’re my age :)

[@samborn7120]

I was a kid when Tainted Love hit the airwaves and as I became a teenager I started to dig deeper and eventually found myself a big fan in the mid-eighties. I’ve followed Marc’s solo career with great interest as well as Dave’s project “The Grid”. Much to be discovered between those two ❤

[@cdz12v]

Eighties electronic music the grid MDMA sounds like my 20's😂

[@gavingerard2053]

Say hello wave goodbye has one of my favourite choruses of all time.

[@robk181]

You mention John Peel, he was arguably the most influential DJ ever in the UK, particularly for 'alternative' bands. He broke many,many bands. He was also there when JFK was shot! Soft Cell, great band

[@lazygazzzer]

It wasn't JFK. He did witness Lee Harvey Oswald being gunned down by Jack Ruby.

[@CaraStyles-jq2uv]

Soft Cell's.Mutant Moments.EP.

[@starbase7330]

Marc&the Mambas, Marc Almond and the Willing Sinners and the one off LaMagia Were steady plays for me, A long run of fantastic music. Soft Cell created 3 incredible records full stop. All that music over the years are pretty much a soundtrack to my life... Great video-Thanks!!!

[@birdsdaword]

Thank for the Soft Cell episode. I remember how surprised I was when I found out that Sex Dwarf was from the same band that did Tainted Love. Yes they were a one hit wonder in the USA. So I haven't heard enough of them despite listening to college radio stations.

[@Yeahno-ey3rb]

I was part of the One Hit Wonder crowd with this band. This video has made me want to research more of the band and their other music. Thank you

[@soundofhistory_]

You definitely should!

[@sharksport01]

Check out the song and video Sleaze by Marc and the Mambas.

[@shamsherchohan5579]

loved soft cell. they got me through my teenage years. went to the 2018 final farewell concert and it was amazing.

[@dianacryer]

American here I was a teen when their music hit the states. I haven’t heard that son in years but still know every word.

[@troygaspard6732]

They recently made a new record and toured. Though Ball wasn't able to do the American tour, they have always found new fans over the decades. Almond has had a great solo career as well.🎉

[@marcchatow9516]

"What!" was always my personal favorite from them.

[@JohnCarter-j4e]

I've been a fan of Soft Cell since 1981 and was overjoyed to see them back with a strong album Happiness Not Included. Also them touring again recently demonstrates they're not over yet. I'm looking forward to more from them in the near future.

[@IndaloMan]

Leeds lad here. Used to see Marc in the Warehouse (the old one behind Westgate Police HQ) on Sunday lunchtimes. The only place in Leeds that had a smoke machine on at lunchtimes! #goodolddays

[@amoeba3662]

Growing up in the 80s, I knew their big hits that made Top 40 radio, but didn't think that much of them until about 2004 or so when I was at a club and heard a remix of Memorabilia that blew my mind. Started listening to their deeper cuts that I would have no access to as a kid..

[@Truckngirl]

In Los Angeles on World Famous KROQ, Sex Dwarf was a way bigger hit than Tainted Love. They played it on the radio...a lot. My fave of all is It's a Mugs Game. "Oh, God it's another day..."

[@Euthymia]

"It's a Mug's Game" still makes me laugh out loud. "And you're nearly there and she still doesn't care and her chewing gum is getting stuck in your hair" "Deep Purple In Rock and Led Zeppelin II....well even YOU hate those" In San Francisco we had KQAK and I used to hit the clubs with gay friends....Soft Cell were gods to those guys and I still can't disagree

[@daemonnice]

My first band in 1979 was inspired by softcell. We had a Dr Rhythm drum machine with a recording of homemade instruments and percussion sounds as backing with a flautist, bass player and electric violin. I was vocals. We used to play the local scene in London Ontario Canada. That's what Soft Cell reminds me of, my youth.

[@soundofhistory_]

That sounds like a super interesting first band!

[@steveparish7321]

Torch was always my favorite track

[@CaptainFutura]

The extended mix is awesome. You can find it on YT

[@steveparish7321]

@@CaptainFutura I have the original 12" Maxi still from 1983 but Ill check it out anyway . Thanks .

[@43wagonwheel]

Heard Tainted Love when in Australia while in the Navy in the 80's. Took several months later to be played on American radio.

[@avanm420]

Bed Sitter is awesome

[@TucsonAnalogWorkshop]

"Meet Murder My Angel" (from This Last Night...) simply the best song ever about a certain type of intercourse😯

[@blacknwhite5451]

I remember tainted love when I was at school in England. Maybe around age 15. All the girls were just crazy about the song and Marc. Which I just couldn't understand at the time. The song was decent enough but not in my top 10 from the eighties. I had no idea what happened to the group later on, so thanks for this well researched information.

[@h0bgobl1n]

great overview! always preferred bedsitter than tainted love. enjoy your videos. always good to hear people from other countries talk about artists from my neck of the woods :-)

[@soundofhistory_]

Thank you!

[@MarcelGomesPan]

I remember having Tainted Love as a 12 single. Soft Cell was an obvious part of the 80’s. I still often hum that song and i often listen to Marc’s Something Gotten Hold Of My Heart with Gene Pitney. I still love their sound!

[@jemcoones2388]

Nice video. Thank you. MEMORABILIA remains my favourite Soft Cell song.

[@nedthestaffieegan3452]

Me too, it's so original and hypnotic. The 12" is brilliant 😊 I don't think it has dated either, still sounds fresh!

[@CaraStyles-jq2uv]

Checkout the version from the Heat.Remixes LP.If u haven't already.It's a good version too?

[@Sabotage_Labs]

Always thought it was a shame that Gloria Jones version of Tainted Love wasn't more well know and popular because...it's a great track. Driving pace, great backing vocals. Gloria was a solid artist.

[@TheChristafershawn]

The first album is what I am familiar with. My mother had it and I would borrow it from time to time and then later I would here Sex Dwarf often in the dance clubs when I started to attend that strange scene around the age 15. I was never a big fan of Tainted Love and their music always did feel a bit sleezey (because it was) so I did not dive too deeply into their further works. That said they were an important part of that early new wave electronic dance scene. No one can deny them that.

[@psiResearch]

I was dating a woman who I later found out was secretly seeing a good friend. My friend confessed to me what was happening so Tainted Love took on a personal meaning. This made me appreciate Soft Cel even more and I've remained a fan ever since. Ironically, at a 40 plus year reunion of that scene someone asked me what happened to that woman I dated in the early 80s. My answer was simple : "Tainted Love".

[@RightfulFallen]

I love your videos and have been watching all of em! Keep it up :)

[@soundofhistory_]

Thank you!

[@aaronrandolph261]

tainted love describes many of my relationships. love that song

[@ggallag7]

Never thought as one hit wonder. So many great songs and electronic innovation.

[@victorialawhon2251]

Danced to "Tainted Love" many times at the Bus Stop on Cary Street in Richmond, Virginia in '81-82 Good times.

[@Pilot_RJ_MacReady]

Thanks for this deep dive. Always wanted to know some more about these lads.

[@krimmer66]

Shout out to Southport LOL.. weekends on Southport beach in the late 70's are all I remember but glad to hear Southport produced such a talent!

[@negirno]

I still have my brother's copy of _Non Stop Extatic Dancing_ in my cupboard. We played it lot in the eighties.

[@rtroyer8963]

I was a huge fan, I had all their records. “This Last Night in Sodom” & “The Art of Falling Apart” are my favorites. I could best describe them as horror music done right, it was quite a window into his(?) life. “Martin/Hendrix Medley”

[@bryanbrian1234]

Still like listening to various covers and remixes of tainted love during my workout

[@SpacePunkAluna]

I was a kid when I first heard Tainted Love and it was before the internet lol so I didnt know any of their other music. Good video 👍🏻✨

[@richardgale1287]

Soft Cell are considered a 'one hit wonder' in the US, but could have mentioned more hits elsewhere. Their next four singles were all top-5 UK hits. Post-Soft Cell, Marc has charted in the UK 25 times solo; his cover/collaboration with Gene Pitney, 'Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart' (1989) was a no.1 in multiple countries. As part of 'The Grid', David charted in the UK ten times, incl. massive dance hit 'Swamp Thing' (1994).

[@0therun1t21]

Only top 40 mainstream people who don't really know about music consider them one hit wonders.

[@akkasha7]

Love Soft Cell. Still listen to them as they created some amazing music. Marc has always been super dramatic. I think Dave Ball really was great about a counterpoint to his flair which helped create some amazing music. I wish they had taken a year or two off & then created more. But glad they are both still working in music & we didn't lose them early due to the drug usage. I enjoyed Marc & the Mambas as well as Marc's solo stuff. But I think together they were stronger.

[@howardrathbone2120]

Going to see them in Perth Western Australia in April, bought the album in 1981, can’t wait!

[@doodlenoodlex]

I have the vinyl for this night and I adore it because it has a gothic edge and still sounds candy sweet pop at times. I can definitely hear the way drugs took over Marc and over how they made sound. When I hear about Marc’s autism, it assures me as a fellow autistic as you can tell the reason Marc said “soft cell is over for good” is because he wouldn’t have been told clearly “hey we want a few years away from this”

[@guillaumepare9651]

Bonjour du Québec. You reminded me a band that I totally forgot. Just went listening a few tracks and it aged well. thanks

[@soundofhistory_]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertcabuto3284]

I think most fans didn't care that Tainted Love wasn't performed. We were just as tired of hearing it as the band was tired of performing it.

[@zimriel]

Not even their song. If I'm them I want to be remembered for our own work

[@t2stu]

Last Night in Soddom was underappreciated. It was fantastic way to end it all. Cruelty Without Beauty deserved to do so much better. Saw them perform it live.

[@RodneyMunch8767]

This video contains so many excellent references. Some Bizarre and Tim Pope deserve their own separate videos. I remember reading an article in the music press (maybe NME) about Marc Almond sending a Teddy Bear to represent himself in a Music Company executive meeting. (True or not, it was a good story.) However, Dave Ball's work in The Grid was very underrated.

[@PeterRichardsandYoureNot]

Tears run rings around my eyes

[@mastercylinder1939]

I wouldn’t say they”Soft Cell” were a one hit wonder, if you’d bought the album, you’d realize, there were a few good tracks on that album..

[@soundofhistory_]

@@mastercylinder1939 to me, one hit wonder doesn’t mean they only had one good song. It means they only had one commercial hit. So many bands make great music and never have a hit

[@shawnogan840]

marc did a side project with jg thirwell (known in industrial circles for his foetus projects) called flesh volcano

[@Tomy_Yon]

I just fell on this channel after Marianne Faithful's passing... I'm glad I did. ❤

[@bathhousebabylonbook]

Vicious Pink is also a big part of Soft Cell's history!

[@centrevezgaming4862]

I know a bit of lore about this song that goes back to me singing it in a karaoke bar whilst on holiday and everyone including the entertainer loved it so much. I ended up singing so excited by sister sledge shortly after.

[@sirapos6550]

M.arc Alnond was initiated in the Church of Satan by Anton La Vey himself. Some time after that,he had a horrible motor crash accident,that literally changed his life. Don't forget that Jayne Mansfield was initiated in this church too and she was killed in a car accident (some say she was decapitated). Apart from all this, there's a compilation of Syd Barrett songs, compiled by Mojo magazine and which are covered by other artists. Marc Almond covers Late Night and his rendition is fantastic.

[@Channel53official]

The dad sounds like a real gem of a father….

[@mossadon]

Fun fact: At 12:10 you briefly see their O.G backing singers, Josie and Brian, who went on to become another 80s legendary New Wave dance duo, Vicious Pink. Brian was one of the first people to use the now legendary Roland 303 on a recorded work.

[@StamfordBridge]

I grew up in Los Angeles where Soft Cell were most definitely not a one-hit wonder. Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret was a world unto itself.

[@shaunw9270]

13:23 The single "What?" was also a cover of a Northern Soul song ,originally recorded by Judy Street.

[@shawnogan840]

every song on non stop is amazing huge fan always had that album the ep and sodom . got the 2nd album years later when i rediscovered them and wanted something new

[@realLsf]

I saw Marc in Trade one night ages ago. He was as high as a kite on ecstasy, didn’t really want to talk & spent the whole night trying to grope me even though I’ve made it clear to him multiple times that I’m not interested. Guess it was just the pills cause he’s usually a chill dude

[@gilbertvazquez2306]

I'm a big soft Cell fan. Hoping to see them this spring when they tour America.

[@Lunchladydoyle]

Soft Cell was such a big part of my life as a gay teenager in the mid 80’s. They were always being played in gay bars in and around Detroit. Would love to see you cover Pete Burns another groundbreaker in his day who is wrongly labeled a one hit wonder.

[@ABdareJAG]

Two of my favourite songs are the 12" version of Martin and Youth. Been a fan for many years, amazing vocalist, groundbreaking group, come back Soft Cell 🎵🎶❤️

[@TWChia-zn6dh]

Torch, Bedsitter, What! And Where The Heart Is are personal favourites

[@SimonLiddo]

Marc Almond sings in the key of OFF

[@bonejamz3026]

This guy is gonna be the reason music history explodes in 2025! Love Nick!

[@JamEWalsh]

Absolutely love Non-stop Erotic Cabaret! One of my favorites 💙

[@marcchatow9516]

On a side note, didn't Marc release a dance hit in like 87, or 88? I recall a dance hit from him came out at that time.

[@AndrewMalley-y6h]

Great band 😁 Marc Almond always turns up every year on Jools Holland’s Hootenanny to see the New Year in 👍

[@familydogg1234]

I had the 12 inch Tainted Love extended songvwith SUPREMES Where Did Our Love Go added. Also had the flexibility single " Metro MRX" free with Flexi Pop probably 1983???

[@seanotron4559]

NO. Tainted love is NOT the only reason we've ever heard of Soft Cell.

[@billdauphine951]

Knew a guy, who knew a guy, who said Marc was a tiny bit sadistic...etc..

[@jj9749]

Every 70s\80s school playground knew the story

[@CplArvinBethe]

Really good job!👍🏼

[@diaseamado]

Great first album, once in a while I still listen to a couple of songs. Marc is responsible for one of the best pop álbuns of all times:the stars we are

[@AJeziorski1967]

I was in my early teens when Soft Cell hit big in the UK - I liked a handful of their songs, but I was also a big fan of Gary Numan (still am) and I hated the fact that Marc Almond kept saying really arrogantly hostile things in the press about Numan's music. Soft Cell's sound, to me, didn't seem as original as your video suggests. It was basically songs that could've fit nicely, conventionally, into the soul genre if the instrumentation was different. Marc's voice had a vulnerable warmth to it, which was great in contrast to the synths. My favourite song of theirs that I know was 'Torch', which was another single off 'Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret'. But time has proven that Numan had more influence and staying power. He's the one who's still recording new albums, still touring and playing big shows for loyal fans, he's the one who's cited as a major influence by massive artists like Trent Reznor ... Maybe when Marc said those things, his arrogance was coming from whatever it was he might have snorted before the interview. But I find it hard to forget what a twat I used to think he was when I think of Soft Cell.

[@TomSherwood-z5l]

Had their record when it came out. Then in 86 I sold my record collection. CD was the thing. In recent times I bought some misc records and got it back.

[@WindmillChef]

I know there was more to Soft Cell than Tainted Love. Circa 1992 I worked with a person, here in the US who took an interest in SC and she was a fan. But going to Barnes & Nobles to get all the CD's, none were in stock, they all had to be ordered and it took weeks, maybe they came from England. The way I see it, here in The US, Tainted Love was considered main stream and a big hit, subsequent music was very "Niche'd" as specific dance club music, a genre that has tons of producers and acts but is a small genre commercially here in The US. I had a one time listen to a full album, can't remember which one, and thought that it was pretty good but, as I said, very clearly dance club music. And although people are open minded, expressively gay combined with dance club genre does not help commercially. Another sample of that very fact is "Boys Town Gang", they had a hit that broke into The US charts but than was boxed in as gay dance club music without any further commercial success.

[@Sean_Ryan]

If I remember correctly, their biggest mistake was putting a cover on the B side of Tainted Love, thus ensuring they received no songwriting royalties from the release. I believe the B side was Where did our love go by The Supremes

[@georgespottiswood4660]

Great job!

[@soundofhistory_]

Thanks!

[@houzbizness303]

Marc Almond was great. I personally rate very highly his second Marc and The Mambas album 'Torment and Toreros'. Most depressing yet wonderful album I've heard. I was a young aldult when I heard it first. Having the time of my life. I think I probably have about 40 Marc Almond albums. He was prolific.

[@jamesmcnally1253]

I was a big fan,I saw them in 83 I guess ,we met Marc before the show and he was really cool,I also saw him at Danceteria doing a performance with Nick Cave and Lydia Lunch and Jim Thirwell who smashed bottles onstage and rolled in it,we would see him around from time to time,very nice and easy to talk to,I never met Mr.Ball.

[@rudy6884]

Marc Almond has been a great voice for quite awhile. And I say thank you

[@user-s1o3nr532]

Soft Cell might not have existed if it formed today - Marc probably wouldn't have been able to afford to go to art school.

[@john_carter_of_earth]

*Never* thought of them as one-hit wonders. And my introduction and awareness of Soft Cell came waaaay more from "It's a Mugs Game" than "Tainted Love." (Also loved Marc's "Tears Run Rings.")

[@elmparkdave]

Very interesting. Been a fan from day 1 ! Originally didn't like last album this last night. But grown to love it over the years. Finally saw them live last year at blenheim Palace..!

[@michaelvout7813]

I frequently sat with Mark in the polytechnic canteen. He was already very distinctive, pretty much always wearing black clothes.

[@Teddy31976]

I think they wanted Soft Cell to be a chapter of their lives not the whole book.

[@Audittr2108]

Funny to hear Soft Cel as a one hit wonder. As a teenager in the UK in the 80’s I was a fan of Soft Cell and bought quite a few of there singles. They definitely weren’t a one hit wonder in the UK.

[@mrjaxthecat]

Everyone should listen to Marc Almond's solo music. Several very brilliant albums.

[@hex2pay951]

If you haven't done them yet, Christian death always has an interesting story

[@soundofhistory_]

I’ll add em to the list!

[@sreppocdrawde9749]

If you could focus on Rozz more than Valor. Rozz had a better story.

[@aaronchase1973]

Think you got much of the history correct on their rise & fall. Soft Cell wasn’t going to obtain the success of Per Shop Boys, Erasure, Human League, etc because they insisted on making the music their art. Even though they dared to show their ugly sides & shadows of the synth pop, the subject matter wasn’t going to market their art because they were just too insane. Not just because they were balled & chained to their cover of Tainted Love, but just how Marc & Dave weren’t meant to last with all the trappings & pressure of fame they had to navigate. The drugs maybe made some interesting songs but probably caused the rifts that cracked Soft Cell in half. Which was rather interesting because their debut album/remix album had them trying MDMA years before Chicago Acid House took over the charts 6 years later. But Soft Cell weren’t exactly happy tunes about how great popping E’s was. (Even if they were the first band dabbling in it at that time) Now they’re older & wiser and seem to be keeping the flame alive once again.

[@1paulgood]

These guys were the real deal… lots of talent. In the LA dance scene in the 80s they were the king of synth