The Top 10 Best Versions of “Tainted Love”
1. American singer Gloria Jones was the first one to record “Tainted Love,” which was written and produced by Ed Cobb. It was released as the B-side to “My Bad Boy’s Comin’ Home” in 1965, but it wasn’t until the early seventies that the song caught on when a U.K. DJ gave it some love because it fit with the Northern Soul thing happening there. Jones rerecorded “Tainted Love” in 1976 with her boyfriend, Marc Bolan (of T. Rex), producing. She was also driving the car in the accident that killed Bolan on September 16, 1977.
2. English duo Soft Cell‘s 1981 synthpop version is the one that made this tune famous. It charted numerous times in the early 80s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A44GOlZrlVs
3. Coil gave it an industrial treatment in 1985.
4. Inspiral Carpets did a cool as **** version in the early nineties.
5. Shades Apart made it mosh-friendly on their 1995 album Save It.
6. German metal band Atrocity recorded one version for a 1997 covers album and another for a single.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-SoXlraQ9Q
7. Hi-Fives included an energetic version on their 1997 album And A Whole Lotta You!
8. The Living End did a rockabilly version for the B-side of their 1998 single “All Torn Down.”
9. Marilyn Manson did a cover for the Not Another Teen Movie soundtrack in 2001.
10. Vivisector‘s Gulag Tunes took on “Tainted Love” for the 2009 release Voodoo Surf, an “Instrumental compilation of Russian and ex-USSR surf ensembles.”
What’s your favourite version from this list? Is your favourite version not on this list? And can anyone locate the fabled Blue Oyster Cult recording?
You already mentioned one band from Germany, but another one covered “Tainted Love” too: Scorpions http://youtu.be/IQV9Cpm9jLQ
Imelda May’s!!!
Gloria Jones, 1965.
Have you even heard Imelda May’s version??? If you had, it would be on this list…even in the top 5 at least!!! You need to fill your lives with her version before you pass from this world. You will be thanking me when you need to thank Imelda May, herself lol. Enjoy!!!
Was a teenager in Australia when the Soft Cell version came out. The one that really does it for me is The Living End. They always put so much energy into their performances. Phenomenal live!