Tainted Love Lyrics
Soft Cell
Lyrics
Sometimes I feel I've got to
Run away, I've got to
Get away from the pain you drive into the heart of me
The love we share
Seems to go nowhere
And I've lost my light
For I toss and turn, I can't sleep at night
Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears, and that's not nearly all
Tainted love (Oh oh)
Tainted love
Now I know I've got to
Run away, I've got to
Get away, you don't really want any more from me
To make things right
You need someone to hold you tight
And you think love is to pray
But I'm sorry, I don't pray that way
Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears, and that's not nearly all
Tainted love (Oh oh)
Tainted love
Don't touch me, please
I cannot stand the way you tease
I love you though you hurt me so
Now I'm gonna pack my things and go
Tainted love (Oh)
Tainted love (Oh)
Tainted love (Oh)
Tainted love (Oh)
Touch me, baby, tainted love
Touch me, baby, tainted love
Tainted love (Oh)
Tainted love (Oh)
Tainted love
Song & Lyrics Facts
Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" is a classic synth-pop song, released in 1981 on their album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret. The band was composed of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist Dave Ball.
Written by Ed Cobb, the song was an international success and has since been covered multiple times. It reached number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks. Genre-wise, it falls under synth-pop and new wave. The lyrics of "Tainted Love" are about a doomed relationship between two people that can't seem to get away from each other despite being aware of how toxic they are together. The track's catchy synthesizer melody and infectious chorus have made it a timeless hit and one of Soft Cell's most enduring songs. The song has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials over the years, cementing its place as one of the most iconic tunes of the 1980s.