Gloria Jones - Tainted Love Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who originally wrote the song 'Tainted Love'?

   The song 'Tainted Love' was written by Ed Cobb, a member of the American group The Four Preps. Cobb was also involved in managing and producing the Standells, though they reportedly did not receive the song offer.

2. When was Gloria Jones's version of 'Tainted Love' released?

   Gloria Jones's version of 'Tainted Love' was originally recorded and released in 1964. It was the B-side of her single 'My Bad Boy's Comin' Home' and did not chart upon its initial release.

3. What influenced the revival of 'Tainted Love' in the 1970s?

   The revival of 'Tainted Love' in the 1970s was influenced by British club DJ Richard Searling, who played the song at Northern soul clubs like Va Va's in Bolton. This newfound underground popularity led Gloria Jones to re-record the song in 1976, although it also did not chart.

4. How did Soft Cell contribute to the popularity of 'Tainted Love'?

   Soft Cell, a British synth-pop duo, covered and reworked 'Tainted Love' in 1981. Their version attained worldwide fame, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and remaining on the US Billboard Hot 100 for a then-record 43 weeks.

5. Did Gloria Jones play any instruments in the recording of her version of 'Tainted Love'?

   In Gloria Jones's original 1964 recording of 'Tainted Love,' Glen Campbell played lead guitar. The song was arranged by Lincoln Mayorga, and its Motown-influenced sound featured horns and female backing vocals.

6. How did Marc Bolan affect Gloria Jones’s version of 'Tainted Love'?

   Marc Bolan, Gloria Jones's boyfriend and the frontman of T-Rex, produced her re-recorded 1976 version of 'Tainted Love.' Despite this high-profile collaboration, the song did not chart, mirroring the fate of her original rendition.