Soft Cell

Released: July 7, 1981

Songwriter: Ed Cobb

Producer: Mike Thorne

[Intro]

[Verse 1]
Sometimes I feel I've got to
Run away I've got to
Get away
From the pain you drive into the heart of me
The love we share
Seems to go nowhere
And I've lost my light
For I toss and turn I can't sleep at night

[Chorus]
Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now, I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Oh, tainted love
Tainted love

[Verse 2]
Now, I know I've got to
Run away, I've got to
Get away
You don't really want any more from me
To make things right
You need someone to hold you tight
And you think love is to pray
But I'm sorry, I don't pray that way

[Chorus]
Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now, I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Oh, tainted love
Tainted love

[Bridge]
Don't touch me please
I cannot stand the way you tease
I love you, though you hurt me so
Now, I'm gonna pack my things and go

[Chorus]
Tainted love, oh, tainted love, oh
Tainted love, oh, tainted love, oh

[Outro]
Touch me, baby, tainted love
Touch me, baby, tainted love
Tainted love, oh
Tainted love, oh
Tainted love

Soft Cell is an English synthpop duo who originated in 1978 consisting of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. They are best known for their song “Tainted Love” which was released in 1981.

more tracks from the album

New York Collection 1981

From the albums

New York Collection 1981 (1981)
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981)
Hit Wave ’82 (1982)
Coneheads (Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1993)
Just Can’t Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the ’80s, Vol. 4 (1994)
Our Friends Electric (The Sound Of The ’80s) (1996)
Millennium ’80s New Wave Party (1999)
Cherish (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2002)
Like Omigod! The 80s Pop Culture Box (Totally) (2002)
50 Years Of The Greatest Hit Singles (2002)
100 Essential Love Songs (2004)
13 Going on 30: Music From the Motion Picture (2004)
Friends: The Ultimate Soundtrack (2005)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2005)
One Hit Wonders (2005)
This Is England (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2007)
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (Deluxe Edition) (2008)
Pride (Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture) (2014)
NOW That’s What I Call A Million [US] (2014)
Now That’s What I Call Running 2017 [UK] (2017)
101 No.1 Hits (2017)
Music is Universal: Kiki Classics for PRIDE (2021)
Music is Universal: PRIDE by SHAED (2021)
NOW That’s What I Call hmv [UK] (2021)

Soft Cell popular songs

Tainted LoveSoft Cell

Soft Cell

New York Collection 1981