This 1981 Hit Was Named the Best One-Hit Wonder of All Time
A 1981 chart-topper has been named the greatest one-hit wonder of all time for its catchiness and timeless nature. Sure, one-hit wonders can get a bad rep, but the reality is that people love these songs, and these tracks can help define musical legacies.
There's something special about a one-hit wonder that sticks in your head. For every band that's dubbed a one-hit wonder band, there are plenty of other groups who would love to have even one hit in their discography. With that in mind, let's get into this song that forever lives in the musical history books.
Soft Cell's 'Tainted Love' Named the Best One-Hit Wonder Ever
When Soft Cell released their cover of "Tainted Love" in 1981, they totally changed the sound of the track. Ed Cobb first wrote and composed the song, and in 1964, Gloria Jones recorded it. But, the track became an American and worldwide favorite in the early 1980s, thanks to Soft Cell. According to research from Song Facts, the song is written about "a toxic relationship, with the singer realizing he's got to leave it."
"Tainted Love" reached No. 8 on the Billboard 100 chart back in the '80s, and it marked the band's only showing on the tally. In a Thursday, April 2, feature, Audio Ink Radio names "Tainted Love" the greatest one-hit wonder of all time. "It's minimal to the point of being almost rude. No big chorus explosion, no grand emotional payoff. Just tension, release, and then right back into the mess," Lucy Grindons of the outlet states.
Rolling Stone Magazine Gives Soft Cell, 'Tainted Love' Props, Calling It a 'Masterpiece'
Rolling Stone magazine agrees. In a 2011 piece on the greatest one-hit wonders of all time, as voted on by readers, "Tainted Love" comes in at No. 5.
"'Tainted Love' seems like the quintessential Eighties song, but it actually dates back to 1965, when it was recorded by Marc Bolan’s future girlfriend Gloria James," Andy Greene of Rolling Stone states. "It wasn't a hit at the time, but in 1981 British synthpop duo Soft Cell New-Waved it up and created a masterpiece."
He adds, "They never had another American hit, but singer Marc Almond went on to a rather respectable solo career – and in 1989 scored a solo smash with 'Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart,' a duet with Gene Pitney."
So, "Tainted Love" is a special song. Even if it was Soft Cell's main hit and the band wasn't able to repeat that level of chart success, it still made them a household name.