Today’s video of the day is Coil – “Tainted Love” released in 1985.
Coil, an experimental group formed in 1983, released their haunting cover of “Tainted Love” in 1985. The song’s video, included on Wax Trax’s video sampler, is both disturbing and poignant. Coil’s version of “Tainted Love” stands apart from the original, with dark, atmospheric tones and a slower, more haunting feel. The band started as a solo project by John Balance, a former member of Psychic TV, before evolving into a full group in 1984. Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson, also from Psychic TV and Throbbing Gristle, joined as a permanent member. Together, they pushed the boundaries of experimental music.
“Tainted Love” is not tied to any specific Coil album but serves as a significant moment in their early career. The song addresses the AIDS crisis directly. The video depicts John Balance as an AIDS patient, Christopherson as a hospital orderly, and Marc Almond as a leather-clad visitor. The video’s stark visuals brought awareness to the impact of AIDS. Profits from the song went to The Terence Higgins Trust, an organization dedicated to AIDS education and support.
The release of “Tainted Love” cemented Coil’s place in underground music. Their sound fused industrial, ambient, and experimental elements. This song, though not on an album, influenced the tone of their later work. Albums like Horse Rotorvator (1986) continued exploring themes of death, suffering, and transformation, which are present in “Tainted Love.” Tragically, John Balance died in an accident in 2004. Following his death, Christopherson decided to end Coil, marking the end of a pioneering musical journey. Christopherson himself passed away in 2010. Coil’s cover of “Tainted Love” remains a powerful statement, intertwining music, activism, and art. It stands as a poignant reminder of the band’s influence and their willingness to confront societal issues through their music.
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