BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1981
“Tainted Love” is a song composed by Ed Cobb, formerly of American group The Four Preps, which was originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964. It attained worldwide fame after being covered by Soft Cell in 1981 and has since been covered by numerous groups and artists.
Soft Cell released their version of “Tainted Love” on July 7, 1981 as their second single (their first was “Memorabilia”, which did not chart). “Tainted Love” rapidly reached #1 on the UK singles chart. “Tainted Love” was the best-selling single in the UK for 1981 and sold 1.27 million copies as of November 2012.
On the US chart dated January 16, 1982, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #90. It appeared to peak at #64 and fell to #100 on February 27. After spending a second week at #100, it started climbing again. It took 19 weeks to crack the US Top 40. The song reached #8 during the summer of 1982 and spent a then record-breaking 43 weeks on the Hot 100.
SIDE A:
Tainted Love / Where Did Our Love Go (Edit) 4:02
Written-By – Edward C. Cobb*, Holland / Dozier / Holland*
SIDE B:
Where Did Our Love Go (Edit) 4:18
Written-By – Holland / Dozier / Holland*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint (generic)
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Tainted Love | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #8 |
| 1982 | Tainted Love | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #12 |
| 1982 | Tainted Love | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #4 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – PRO-S-1028
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – Mike Thorne
NOTES:
Promo edits of the 12″ single medley
Find the 7″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
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
Hi Paul! Wow..Love this too! Can you re-upload Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go (US 7″ Promo) version.. Please… Thank you!!
Can you reupload this somewhere? 🙁
This US radio promo was done because their first US release was the 12″ version which took forever to catch on in the clubs. When the album came out everyone was disappointed to just have a 2:38 version available. Two different 7″ singles were released on Sire, one faded at the end, another ended cold and was yet a different mix that maybe Mike Thorne did as I recall. I knew this was a hit from day one when KROQ played it from an import. I played the f**k out of it at Long Beach parties and my club in… Read more »
This is brilliant – thank you so much –
As I mentioned on Facebook, I am so VERY excited to have a copy of this with your loving mastering. It will be a huge improvement on my crappy vinyl to cd recorder copy from 1999. Thank you so very much. This particular mix I count among my most cherished songs (which is why I’ve been putting up with a bad copy for so long–that and I’m old). THANK YOU.
A huge thanks. I had no idea there was a version of just “Where did our love go”. I am adding music to my phone and this will definitely be going on there.
Thank You Paul! I love this record, and absolute classic, the song that introduced me to Soft Cell and Marc Almond. Though most famous for his cover versions, Marc Almond is a true poet. I was just thinking about this edit this week and thinking of digging this one out and making a transfer and see how it sounds, thank you as this will undoubtedly sound much better. A true lost classic. One thing of note, for fans of this song, for teh very first time, the full Mike Thorne remix from 1981 is included on the compilation Extended 80’s,… Read more »
Nice Post, PaulT!
Thank you for this Paul, although I’ve known of this record/edits existence, I’ve never found a copy, either digital or in tangible format. As a big SC/Marc fan I have almost everything they’ve released, even the Canadian 12″ of Say Hello with Tainted dub/Where did our love go vocal which has never appeared anywhere else but still not this one……keep up the incredible good work
Cool Paul!!!! More new wave please!!!!
Like many of you, I adore Marc Almond intensely. When I was in high school and this song was popular, my friend let me borrow Soft Cell’s “Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret” on cassette. This album I would play over and over…and over again. It spoke to me unlike any other record I had listened to before. I guess it was my adolescence, but the music and the words touched me somehow. I remember how “Frustration” ignited a spark in me. Not very pleasant, but it was my secret theme song for bit. And the song “Youth” was so beautifully sad. Although… Read more »
I thought Marc Almond did a fantastic job on this 60’s Nothern Soul classic. I also loved Marc’s cover for “Days Of Pearly Spencer” in 1992.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome Junior 🙂
I think they are very clumsy edits of this synth-pop hymn. Just listen to the 9 min 12″ version of this medley, which is a masterpiece! The sound quality on the 12″ is excellent, so is the mastering on the Maxi CD that I got, a must have! And no I’m not undermining Pauls everyday efforts, just the idea of ruining a great 12″ mix. Of course it’s so easy to judge now days with all this software available and the possibility to make far better edits just in minutes.
Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Omar :0
Thanks for posting this one…I had this mix on the reissue oldies 45 but it didn’t have this B-Side on it…which is just an excerpt of the 12″ mix. The CD which has this mix is a little too loud so this is a very welcome upgrade.
Very cool! You always spoil us, Paul!
I enjoy it Woz. Have a great weekend 🙂
Thanks again 🙂
You’re welcome CL 🙂
Love your work.
Some extra info on early Soft Cell:
They actually had an 7″ EP “Mutant Moments” as their first release.
It was released on: A Big Frock Record – ABF 1
About 2000 copies I believe
It had some early versions of songs we were to hear later on Album.
A1 Potential 3:26
A2 L.O.V.E. Feelings 3:27
B1 Metro Mrx 2:12
B2 Frustration
I’m so glad you posted this. When I interviewed Dave for my Soft Cell ebook, I asked about this particular edit. He had no idea such a version existed until our chat.
Awesome choice, I don’t think I’ve ever heard this edit, though I mist have every Soft Cell release going. Thanks Paul. In his autobiography, Tainted Life (a must read if you haven’t already) he explains how they barely made a penny off this record, despite its amazing success, due to them also doing a cover version for the b-side. (I think in those days if you wrote the b-side you’d get at least 50% of sales profits, even though people were buying it for the A-side). As if that wasn’t lesson enough, he then repeated the exact same mistake years… Read more »
Thank you for the insight into the book which I have not read yet. I must admit I don’t read as much as I should. It’s a very interesting story. I adore Mr. almond such a great guy with a personality to match. Enjoy Jermajesty 🙂
Jermajesty – you are correct – that is one of the BEST autobiographies ever!!! I found it so illuminating! A MUST read!
Paul!! Everyday on BTG is a heartwarming gift from you, but it seems like you make Fridays a special event. You always give us the incredible treat to start off our weekends like nobody else can. And, boy oh boy, today is a rare treat!! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for this rare gem. I’ve always wanted this mix because it’s what I grew up with on the radio. I don’t think this has wound up on any CD compilation. I’ve heard of people making their own edits, but it is so grand that you have given… Read more »
Thank you Jeeff. I always love an orgasmic synth-pop track lol. I love this single so much and have so many memories associated with it. I usually try to end the week with something fun that will carry over into next week. Have a terrific weekend.
Hugs.
Actually this version can be found on an 1997 US compilation CD
named “Hard Rock Cafe: New Wave”, but I have to admit that the b-side edit
ist totally new to me!!!
As I am a very big fan of Mr. Marc Almond: a BIG THANK YOU to you, Paul!