Covers Revue: Soft Cell covers “Tainted Love,” originally by Gloria Jones

Soul has slowly been making a comeback over the years with emerging artists such as Raphael Saadiq, Erykah Badu, Mayer Hawthorne, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Janelle Monae and Lee Fields. Though these artists are making it hip to be into Oldies, we should still appreciate the artists that brought this genre to the forefront in the first place.

One of these artists is Gloria Jones. Her name may not be as big as James Brown’s, but her song “Tainted Love” was noticed and apparently liked enough by a little 80’s duo called Soft Cell.

Jones’ “Tainted Love” has all the aspects of an upbeat soul track: a bouncy beat, great harmonizing backing vocals, gospel influences, horns and a powerful voice to lead the way. Not to mention a little heartbreak! The guitars are a little thin, but what carries this song is Jones’ voice and delivery. I am a sucker for backing vocals that are done right and are in just the right places and this song does it well. The horns are sparse so I would’ve loved to hear a little more since the guitars are so thin. But this track is definitely an underrated classic.

Soft Cell should thank their lucky stars and Jones for her great track because their 1981 cover of “Tainted Love” was a worldwide hit and propelled the duo to popularity. The only thing that remains the same with this newer version is the claps (which aren’t even real; they’re studio effects) and the lyrics. Drowning in synthesizers, Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” has a dark and eerie tone while still making you move. The church organ melody is very Phantom of the Opera-esque and the loud and sudden “DUN-DUN” almost catch you off guard. The lyrics are powerful no matter who’s singing them, documenting one of those bad relationships you just can’t bring yourself to walk away from, making this relatable song a hit all over the world.

This song is one of those songs you think of when you think of great 80’s music, but don’t forget that it never would’ve been the soundtrack to your hair-teasing, androgynous-being days without Gloria Jones!