In 1981, Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” hit No. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart and became the year’s best-selling single. In 1982, it reached No. 8 in the U.S. and stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for 43 consecutive weeks, setting a record at the time. It also topped the charts in 17 other countries, making it a global sensation, and it has remained a beloved ’80s anthem ever since.

Soft Cell was a one-hit wonder, but what a masterful hit it was. Even the music video for “Tainted Love” is a wild throwback to the decade. Ah, the bizarreness of the ’80s:

‘Tainted Love’ was a cover of a B-side soul single

Many of us who grew up singing this song in the ’80s didn’t know the song was a cover, largely because the original........

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