The Return Of Friday Night Is Rockabilly Night 63

Some modern rockabilly tonight, just for a change from all the older 50s stuff I've posted recently- rockabilly revivalist Imelda May has a great voice, an authentic sounding rockabilly band and is much better than you might think. This is her rip-roaring cover version of Tainted Love, originally by Gloria Jones and famously covered by Soft Cell.

Tainted Love

I've Got This Burning, Burning, Yearning

Soft Cell's 1981 hit Tainted Love has so many hooks- that beat, Marc Almond's delivery, its marriage of the new (electro-pop) and the old (Northern Soul), those handclaps, and all the sleaze that went with their image. A massive hit and a groundbreaking record that sold in millions. Those people that bought it on 12" got an added treat- an eight minute plus version with a hissing drum machine segueway and a drop-dead cover of The Supremes hit Where Did Our Love Go? to go with the Gloria Jones cover of the 7". Utter brilliance.

Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go?

Gloria Jones 'Tainted Love'

This 1965 northern soul stomper by Gloria Jones is known for two reasons. It was famously covered by Soft Cell (and the 12" mix of their version is segues into Where Did Our Love Go by The Supremes, and now I think of it needs posting), and Gloria Jones was driving the car that hit a tree in Barnes, London causing the death of Marc Bolan. She was badly injured herself in the crash, and wasn't told he'd died until the day of the funeral. When she got out of hospital she returned home to find T-Rex fans had looted her and Marc's flat, and she received little from his will due to being unmarried. All of which is pretty grim. So let's enjoy this life affirming slice of dancefloor action.

Tainted_Love.mp3