Soft Cell – Tainted Love Soft Cell, a British synth-pop duo consisting of Marc Almond and David Ball, became one of the defining acts of the 1980s with their signature blend of electronic music and emotional intensity. Their most famous track, Tainted Love, was released in 1981 and became a massive global hit. Originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964 as a Northern Soul track, Soft Cell reimagined it with a minimalist synth-driven arrangement, giving the song a dark, hypnotic feel. This article explores the background, songwriting and production, chart performance, and music video of Tainted Love. Song Overview Tainted ...