BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1981
“Bedsitter” is a song by British synthpop duo Soft Cell, from the album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret. Released as a single in October 1981, it reached no. 4 in the UK.
A song that explored the underbelly of the London club scene of the time, it has been described by critic Jon Savage as one of the greatest songs of the 1980s.
Early Morning Dance Side:
Bedsitter 7:52
Written-By – D. Ball*, M. Almond*
Late Night Listening Side:
Facility Girls 7:19
Written-By – Ball*, Almond*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Vertigo – 6400 516, Vertigo – 64 00 516
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Europe
Released: 1981
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: New wave, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Artwork [Padded Cell] – Huw Feather
Other [Make Up] – Vivien P
Photography By – Peter Ashworth
Producer – Mike Thorne
NOTES:
German release under license from Some Bizarre.
Made in West Germany
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Bedsitter, really love Marc Almond’s vocals to this song, and David Ball’s synth lead is very catchy too, great post Paul, Soft Cell leading the way in the early 80’s for any future synthpop duo or bands.
Takin’ all the “Marc Almond” I can get 😉
Thanks, Christian
You’re welcome Christian 🙂
Love this song, bought it when it first came out way back in 81. It might possibly have been myself that revealed Soft Cell 7 inchers were edited down from their respective 12 inch version as opposed to the other way round, I believe Mike Thorne revealed it in an interview many years ago (Here: https://stereosociety.com/softcell/ ) There is a Soft Cell Box Set forthcoming, of which I have (allegedly, I have to wait for the final track list) contributed several mixes that they had long since lost. The B-Side of the Canadian 12″ of Say Hello being one of… Read more »
Interesting, I never heard of the Canadian variation. Hopefully they will also include the full Mike Thorne remix of Tainted Love/Where did our love go, which apparently got accidentally released on the compilation Extended 80’s The Definitive Collection:
https://www.discogs.com/Various-Extended-80s-The-Definitive-12-Collection/release/5719093
The Tainted Love part is a slightly different mix, and does not cross-fade into the mix like it does in the 12″ mix, while Where Did Our Love Go is the same.
This one:
https://www.discogs.com/Soft-Cell-Say-Hello-Wave-Goodbye/release/1015615
I actually have this Canadian 12″ maybe I will post it soon 🙂
Cool. 🙂
I actually have that Various album with the different version of Tainted Love on it, just found it on my hard drive! In MP3 only though
Interesting, do you know if it will feature the rare Loving you, hating me – special US Mix?: https://www.discogs.com/Soft-Cell-Loving-You-Hating-Me/release/1212454
Soft Cell has few rare mixes and this is one of them. I would love to hear someday a restored version of it.
Yes Hugo, it definitely will. That was one of the mixes they reached out for & I was able to provide them with a pristine rip from my 12″, I was not the only one to submit that one though, so I fully expect they will be able to pick the best copy from those.
Cool, 🙂 Any release date, something in the near future?
I think we’re looking at September/October time, It’s going to be a 10 disc box set from what I can gather, with some real nice rarities expected. They have a film recording of a Tainted love era gig at the Retford Porterhouse, I think from just as it entered the charts, also their first release, the Mutant Moments e.p will get a first full digital release on this one. Personally I can’t wait, though my bank balance is quaking….
This is such a great record. Ahh the fond memories. the early 80’s were indeed a really creative time musically, with the duality of analogue and digital, releases like this really pushed the boundaries of imagination. I actually really “discovered” or got into this record going backwards. First hearing the re-recording on the Memorabilia compilation and then hearing going back to get Non-Stop. I finally bought a copy of this record in Berkeley in a basement record store off the old fabled Telegraph Avenue among one of the 11 or so record stores that wee actively in business back then.… Read more »
You’re welcome, Joey. I love hearing the stories you guys have of record hunting I really miss those days. 🙂
I believe, I listen and I see the music like a transforming power, a catalyst, capable of moving the energies, making feel the deepest feelings, transformative, that can turn a bad day into a happy and happy day or the opposite, the music is very tied to the feelings, I could not live without listening to music at every moment of my life, millions of thanks for sharing this spectacular music, especially today’s publication “SOFT CELL – BEDSITTER” I deeply love this song and how great it was and It has been Marc Almond.
Thanks infinite Paul.
Rafa
You’re welcome Rafa 🙂
Thanks Paul. I have this 12” single too. Do you have Marc And The Mambas 12” singles?
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
Also. it always used to amuse me that they put ‘The Fabulous Soft Cell’ on the cover too. 😀 It was only their 2nd single!
BTW – did you know Soft Cell are having a 40th Anniversary celebration? You can buy an official Soft Cell neon sign! 😀 Plut a load of old master tapes have been dug out for (an assumed) release. Pics and vids of the tapes on their Facebook page. Exciting. 🙂
Yeah, I got an email yesterday from the merch 🙂 I want that official Soft Cell neon sign! 🙂
I’ll settle for a It’s a Mugs Game mug! 😀
Ha – 3rd single – how could I forget Memorabilia!
(No, I’m not counting Mutant Moments EP as a single) 🙂
Do you look a mess? Do you have a hangover? Such a cool song Paul, especially love the 12″ version with the extra verses. Soft Cell were always great at that (like the conversation with Cindy Ecstasy half way through the Torch 12″). And Marc chanting ‘Bedsitter, bedsitter…’ over other layered vocals at the end – the 7″ really did miss out on a great finale. I’m sure I read (possibly on here) that Soft Cell would write/record the 12″ as the main song, then edit it down for the 7″, the opposite of what most groups would do at… Read more »
I think I read something like that Jermajesty. I know Duran Duran would also record a longer version of a track with added instrumentation etc. This was before everything was done by computer editing. So much creativity and talent in these early 12″ singles.
Wow! It’s like you read my mind. I have been revisiting my Marc Almond collection this week, going through my files, organizing my records, spending too much on ebay, and trying to sort out what I’m still missing. I wasn’t a HUGE fan in the 80’s, and the more I discover, the more I wonder why not. Thank you for sharing this one.
David, I was kind of the same, not a big fan at the time that Soft Cell was really popular. Now I really like them a lot funny how tastes change as we get older 😉
Thank you!..any chance of posting Lindsey Buckingham Soul Drifter (Radio Remix)
Ref:
https://www.discogs.com/es/Lindsey-Buckingham-Soul-Drifter/release/8447923
I am unsure if it was released on LP.
Regards..