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Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

by Soft Cell

Released: November 27, 1981

Synth-pop, new wave, electropop

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

The Album

"Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret" is the debut studio album by English synth-pop duo Soft Cell, released on 27 November 1981 by Some Bizarre Records. Additionally, the album produced two more top-five singles in the UK: "Bedsitter" and "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye." The album was recorded on a limited budget, using basic equipment. In the United States, the success of the single led to advance orders of over 200,000 copies for the album.

Inside the Recording

It was supposedly recorded almost entirely with a ReVox tape recorder, a borrowed Roland drum machine (owned by Kit Hain), a Korg SB-100 Synthe Bass, and an NED Synclavier, which was owned by the producer Mike Thorne. In fact, Ball recalled receiving calls from other producers, like Don Was, inquiring about how they achieved certain sounds on the album.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

David Ball of Soft Cell later remarked that…

David Ball of Soft Cell later remarked that the Synclavier, which would typically have been out of the band’s financial reach (costing £120,000), provided them with a distinct technological edge.

The group also stirred controversy in the UK…

The group also stirred controversy in the UK with the song "Sex Dwarf," the music video for which was banned due to its explicit, S&M-related content.

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Essential Tracks

Tainted Love

The album’s critical and commercial success was largely driven by the global hit of its lead single, a cover of Gloria Jones's "Tainted Love," which topped the charts worldwide and became the second best-selling British single of 1981.

Bedsitter

Additionally, the album produced two more top-five singles in the UK: "Bedsitter" and "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye." The album was recorded on a limited budget, using basic equipment.

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

Additionally, the album produced two more top-five singles in the UK: "Bedsitter" and "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye." The album was recorded on a limited budget, using basic equipment.

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Explore the Album

Soft Cell - Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

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Then

Reception

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret" is the debut studio album by English synth-pop duo Soft Cell, released on 27 November 1981 by Some Bizarre Records. The album’s critical and commercial success was largely driven by the global hit of its lead single, a cover of Gloria Jones's "Tainted Love," which topped the charts worldwide and became the second best-selling British single of 1981. In the United States, the success of the single led to advance orders of over 200,000 copies for the album. Additionally, the album produced two more top-five singles in the UK: "Bedsitter" and "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye."

The album was recorded on a limited budget, using basic equipment. It was supposedly recorded almost entirely with a ReVox tape recorder, a borrowed Roland drum machine (owned by Kit Hain), a Korg SB-100 Synthe Bass, and an NED Synclavier, which was owned by the producer Mike Thorne. David Ball of Soft Cell later remarked that the Synclavier, which would typically have been out of the band’s financial reach (costing £120,000), provided them with a distinct technological edge. In fact, Ball recalled receiving calls from other producers, like Don Was, inquiring about how they achieved certain sounds on the album. The group also stirred controversy in the UK with the song "Sex Dwarf," the music video for which was banned due to its explicit, S&M-related content.