Both Marc Almond and Dave Ball grew up in seaside towns (the former, Southport, and the latter, Blackpool), and later met while students at the Leeds Polytechnic Fine Arts University (now Leeds Metropolitan University). Almond, a performance artist, collaborated with Ball on a few avant-garde multi-media performances at the university. Although Ball's musical background consisted of guitar, he had access to the university studio and was experimenting with the nascent synthesizer technology at the time. The two students became the prototypical synth duo and were initially associated with other New Wave scenesters dubbed "New Romantics" by the British Press. Other bands associated with this scene included Visage, Duran Duran, and Spandau Ballet.
Marc Almond had a productive career as a solo artist later in the 80s and 90s and with Marc & the Mambas and other collaborations. Dave Ball has done a few solo productions with other British new wave acts in the early 80s. He also later was involved in the electronic dance act The Grid with Richard Norris.
Almond and Ball's reunion as Soft Cell became official with well-received initial concerts - they performed at the opening of the Ocean nightclub in London in March 2001 to strong reviews, and a mini tour followed later in the year. The track "God Shaped Hole" featured on the Some Bizzare compilation titled "I'd Rather Shout at a Returning Echo than Kid Someone's Listening", released in 2001. The album Cruelty Without Beauty was released in late 2002, followed by a European tour and a partial US tour in early 2003. The new album featured their first new songs together in almost twenty years. One of those songs was their 2003 single "The Night" (UK #39). Interestingly, Soft Cell had considered recording "The Night" in place of "Tainted Love" back in 1981 as their last-ditch attempt to score a chart hit. In a 2003 interview with BBC's Top of the Pops, keyboardist David Ball asserted, "I think history has kind of shown that we did make the right choice [in 1981]."
In August 2007, the band announced they were working on a remix album, "Heat - The Remixes". The remix album is expected to be released in May 2008 and will include classic Soft Cell tracks remixed by such acts as Manhattan Clique, Cicada, Richard X, Ladytron, MHC, Mark Moore, Kinky Roland, Spektrum, George Demure, Yer Man and many more.
Insecure Me
Soft Cell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm looking like a nose with eyes
Take a trip or letter to make me feel better
'cause I know my mirror never lies
Have you ever had the feeling that your life's down the can
And the hand that holds the whip is not your own
Your breakfast's going cold and your routine's getting old
Hiding in the darkness where they can't see your eyes
In a naked city cinema
Watch the bodies rolling around on the screen
And nobody gives a damn who you are
You're surrounded by the bitter and the boring
And you wonder if you're on the turn
And again you get hurt when they're dishing the dirt
Is it me that's feeling insecure?
I haven't got time to worry about the future
When I'm busy covering up my past
Start to consider a tuck behind the ears
When I wonder if my looks will last
I could hit the bottle and the depths of despair
But come up fighting like the best
And I can tell myself that I'm winning the war
But then again I'm different than the rest
I'm not the hardest person in the world
But like the song says 'I will survive'
And I may be a wreck and a pain in the neck
But at least I feel that I'm alive
So I'll spit in your face and push you over the place
If I'm ever feeling so unsure
And you can really go to hell if you give me the soft sell
It's not me that's feeling insecure
It was the morning after the month before
And I'm looking like a nose with eyes
Take a trip or letter to make me feel better
'cause I know my mirror never lies
Have you ever had the feeling that your life's down the can
And the hand that holds the whip is not your own
Your breakfast's going cold and your routine's getting old
Is it me that's feeling insecure?
Forget the lows
Just love the highs
And wipe that look
Out from my eyes
Forget the face
That I despise
'cause I know my mirror
Never lies
I'll come up fighting
Like the best
But then I'm different
Than the rest
And I wonder how my looks will last
Because my life is really fast
And you wonder if you're on the turn
Oh, baby, won't you ever learn
That I'm a cut above the rest
Don't worry about the way I dress
And if my make-up looks a mess
I'm not about to get depressed
'cause I'm the one that loves to lose
Just loser in my fuck me shoes
And I've got the touch
And I've got the feel
To make your good time
Really real
I'll just spit right in your face
And push you all around the place
Just love to love
Just love to live
Just love to live
Just love to love
And, baby, are you so, so sure
That you're the one that's insecure?
The Soft Cell song "Insecure Me" captures the feeling of insecurity that can often follow a period of feeling low or defeated. The song opens with the morning after the month before, indicating some kind of event or hardship that has recently occurred in the singer's life. He describes himself as looking like a "nose with eyes," reflecting how he feels about his appearance and self-worth. He considers taking a trip or receiving a letter to boost his mood, but acknowledges that his insecurities aren't just physical but also internal.
The second verse expands upon these feelings of insecurity, as the singer describes feeling like his life is going down the drain and like he's not in control. He feels trapped in his routine and like he's surrounded by boring and bitter people. He wonders if he's the one who's feeling insecure or if it's just everyone else around him. The chorus reminds listeners to forget the lows and just love the highs, but acknowledges that this is easier said than done.
The final verse shows the singer using his insecurities as fuel to keep fighting and stay alive. He imagines getting plastic surgery or hitting the bottle, but ultimately decides to channel his energy into coming up fighting. He declares that he may be a wreck and a pain in the neck, but at least he feels alive. The song ends on a note of power, as he declares that he's the one in control and won't be pushed around or made to feel insecure by anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
It was the morning after the month before
It's the aftermath of a hard time
And I'm looking like a nose with eyes
I don't feel good about myself
Take a trip or letter to make me feel better
I need some reassurance
'cause I know my mirror never lies
I can't hide the truth from myself
Have you ever had the feeling that your life's down the can
Did you ever feel like things fell apart?
And the hand that holds the whip is not your own
Do you feel like you lost control?
Your breakfast's going cold and your routine's getting old
Your life is a monotony
Is it me that's feeling insecure?
Do you feel insecure as well?
Hiding in the darkness where they can't see your eyes
I avoid people
In a naked city cinema
In a place where everyone is vulnerable
Watch the bodies rolling around on the screen
Watching people's lives pass me by
And nobody gives a damn who you are
Nobody really cares about me
You're surrounded by the bitter and the boring
My surroundings are not uplifting
And you wonder if you're on the turn
Is your life taking a bad turn?
And again you get hurt when they're dishing the dirt
People's judgments hurt me
Is it me that's feeling insecure?
Do you feel insecure as well?
I haven't got time to worry about the future
I barely have any time
When I'm busy covering up my past
I'm ashamed of my past
Start to consider a tuck behind the ears
I am starting to consider cosmetic surgery
When I wonder if my looks will last
I am afraid of losing my looks
I could hit the bottle and the depths of despair
I could drink to forget
But come up fighting like the best
But still fight back
And I can tell myself that I'm winning the war
I can pretend that I am winning
But then again I'm different than the rest
But I am unique
I'm not the hardest person in the world
I am not tough
But like the song says 'I will survive'
I'll do my best to survive
And I may be a wreck and a pain in the neck
I'm not perfect
But at least I feel that I'm alive
But I still feel alive
So I'll spit in your face and push you over the place
I will stand up for myself
If I'm ever feeling so unsure
If I'm ever feeling uncertain
And you can really go to hell if you give me the soft sell
I don't want to be lied to
It's not me that's feeling insecure
I am not the only one feeling insecure
Forget the lows
Forget the bad times
Just love the highs
Enjoy the good times
And wipe that look
And stop looking unhappy
Out from my eyes
Out of my sight
Forget the face
Forget about how I look
That I despise
That I hate
'cause I know my mirror
Because I know that I'm not perfect
Never lies
Reflects the truth
I'll come up fighting
I won't give up
Like the best
And I'll do it like the best
And then I'm different
But I'm unique
Than the rest
And I'm different from others
And I wonder how my looks will last
I still worry about losing my looks
Because my life is really fast
Because life moves quickly
Oh, baby, won't you ever learn
Can't you see?
That I'm a cut above the rest
I am better than average
Don't worry about the way I dress
Don't judge me by how I dress
And if my make-up looks a mess
If I don't look perfect
I'm not about to get depressed
I won't get sad
'cause I'm the one that loves to lose
Because I love a good challenge
Just loser in my fuck me shoes
Just being a rebel in my high heels
And I've got the touch
And I know what I'm doing
And I've got the feel
And I trust myself
To make your good time
To make your time better
Really real
For real
I'll just spit right in your face
I'll fight back
And push you all around the place
And I won't take it lying down
Just love to love
I love to love
Just love to live
I love to live
And, baby, are you so, so sure
Are you really sure?
That you're the one that's insecure?
That you're not feeling insecure too?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JAMES BALL, MARC ALMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cortrichards8179
This has always been my theme song. Heard this when it was first released in 1982 and immediately bought the 12 inch single. Back then it was a huge hit on the dancefloor at The Monastery, City Beat, Skoochies and Tugs in Seattle where I and my fellow batcaver's would dance all night until we practically collapsed. Of course, we always seemed to have " a triple letter to make us feel better " which gave us the ability to dance non stop and feel fabulous! I really miss those days as I am sure many of us who remember and love this song do as well. Those were the best days of my life, so far anyway.........
@keith-leecastle6700
In my top 3 bands of all time. I was soooo obsessed with them!
Amazing 12” records..
@Jontor11
I just love how the misery of this song never ends...Brilliant!
@a.e.8874
👍
@eze4life1000
Love this song🖤 I hadn’t heard it in a while, but found a copy of the 12” at my local record shop. In these trying times it’s taking on even more meaning. I love how sincere Soft Cell is. Always make me feel valuable and validated at the same time, and in love with my own queer ass. Even when I’m feeling so insecure 😟
@BeachChrisBoy
Their absolute best song ever and a sonic anthem of the times
@cecilyjsmusicvideos7619
Thank you so much for posting this. I had this on vinyl and loved it dearly in the 80s. It was one of among many records stolen by a junkie acquaintance in the early 90s. Haven't heard it since. Until now.
@brianwaltz3754
This is one of the best maxi editions ever made, from the time when music was much more real and proffessional created, I really miss the time with maxi singles were created with so much creativity and not just made as a longer version with som different drum beat. This one is in top 5 of all times.
@thomasfranco5997
Soft Cell was the best in the 80's. I used to blast this song in my 86 Trans Am on the way to HOLLYWOOD to go clubbing. I believe Tainted Love was the longest record for being on the dance charts for over 3 or 4 years after its release.
@TheEmptytube
Playing Torch, LYHM, Heat, SHWG et al it is a completely unexpected gem of a show. No down in the subway, numbers, insecure me, mugs game, what, soul inside, etc...that was my wishlist but will take what they give ..see you at the Masonic.