Tainted Love
By: Ed Cobb

Original Performance: Gloria Jones
Written by: Ed Cobb

Versions:
  1. Tainted Love
 
Lyrics:
Tainted Love [Version (a)]:

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
I toss and turn, I can't sleep at night

Once I ran to you, now I run from you
This tainted love you've given
I've given all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Tainted love 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, now I run from you
This tainted love you've given
I've given all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not really all
Tainted love 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
Tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
Touch me baby
Tainted love
Touch me baby
Tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
 
The Song:

"Tainted Love" is a song that was originally recorded by Gloria Jones in the '60s. It then became a huge hit for Soft Cell in the '80s.

Beck took to playing a bit of the song live in 2013, as a sort of short intro to the song "Modern Guilt." Interestingly, Gloria Jones was Marc Bolan's girlfriend, who Beck has also been covering occasionally this summer.
 
Live:

Played live 8 times:
Earliest known live version: August 1, 2013
Latest known live version: November 14, 2013