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.
Paranoid
Soft Cell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause she couldn't help me with my mind
People think I'm insane
Because I am frowning all the time
All day long I think of things
But nothing seems to satisfy
Think I'll lose my mind
Can you help me occupy my brain?
Oh yeah
I need someone to show me
The things in life that I can't find
I can't see the things that make true happiness
I must be blind
Make a joke and I will sigh
And you will laugh and I will cry
Happiness I cannot feel
And love to me is so unreal
And so as you hear these words
Telling you now of my state
I tell you to enjoy life
I wish I could but it's too late
The lyrics to Soft Cell's "Paranoid" are a raw and emotional outcry from the singer who is unable to find peace and happiness in their life. The first line, "Finished with my woman, 'Cause she couldn't help me with my mind" sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer explains their struggle with mental illness and the inability of others to understand and support them. The phrase "people think I'm insane" implies a sense of stigma and social isolation as a result of their condition.
The second verse speaks to the frustration of being unable to find satisfaction or meaning in life, despite the constant search for it. The line "think I'll lose my mind if I don't find something to pacify" highlights the desperation and urgency of the singer's situation. The chorus of the song is a plea for help, with the singer asking for someone to show them the things in life which they cannot seem to find on their own.
The third verse is particularly poignant, as the singer speaks of their inability to feel happiness or love. The line "make a joke and I will sigh, and you will laugh and I will cry" speaks to the disconnect between the singer and the world around them. They are unable to share in the joy of others and instead are burdened by their own internal struggles. The song ends with a sense of regret and resignation, as the singer admits that they are unable to change their situation, but encourages others to find joy in life where they can.
Overall, "Paranoid" is a deeply introspective and emotional song, shining a light on the struggles of those who suffer from mental illness and the isolation that often comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Finished with my woman
I am no longer with my partner
'Cause she couldn't help me with my mind
I ended the relationship because she couldn't alleviate my mental troubles
People think I'm insane
Others believe that I am crazy
Because I am frowning all the time
Because I always wear a scowl on my face
All day long I think of things
I spend my entire day ruminating
But nothing seems to satisfy
But nothing brings me contentment
Think I'll lose my mind
I fear that I will go insane
If I don't find something to pacify
Unless I find some solace
Can you help me occupy my brain?
Could you assist me in keeping my mind occupied?
I need someone to show me
I require someone to guide me
The things in life that I can't find
The aspects of existence that elude me
I can't see the things that make true happiness
I cannot perceive what truly causes joy
I must be blind
It seems that I am unable to see clearly
Make a joke and I will sigh
If you attempt to cheer me up, I will deflate
And you will laugh and I will cry
I will be moved to tears while you chuckle
Happiness I cannot feel
I am incapable of experiencing happiness
And love to me is so unreal
And I find love to be unbelievable
And so as you hear these words
As you listen to me speak
Telling you now of my state
Discussing my current condition
I tell you to enjoy life
I encourage you to savor existence
I wish I could but it's too late
Unfortunately, I am unable to do so myself
Contributed by Asher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@god9554
Finished with my woman'
Cause she couldn't help me with my mind
People think I'm insane
Because I am frowning all the time.
All day long I think of things
But nothing seems to satisfy.
Think I'll lose my mind
If I don't find something to pacify
Can you help me?
Occupy my brain?
Oh, yeah
I need someone to show me
The things in life that I can't find
I can't see the things that make true happiness
I must be blind.
Make a joke, and I will sigh.
And you will laugh, and I will cry.
Happiness I cannot feel
And love to me is so unreal.
And so as you hear these words
Telling you now of my state
I tell you to enjoy life
I wish I could
But it's too late
@robertbaker5156
Absolutely brilliant !!!!
@mantronixtube
i love this cover... just heard it for the first time and i was shocked! loved it.
@PHAEDRIDER
david ball is a genius . marc almond is hilarious
@johnathonsteeel6922
Marc Almond’s shrieks are hilarious.
@jeffdavidfleming
Sounds like audio from a 70's video game.
@deathschool91
I love this.
@satyros2
thank you
@Mannchild11
Tremendous. Do it the Soft Cell way. lol.
@god9554
Finished with my woman'
Cause she couldn't help me with my mind
People think I'm insane
Because I am frowning all the time.
All day long I think of things
But nothing seems to satisfy.
Think I'll lose my mind
If I don't find something to pacify
Can you help me?
Occupy my brain?
Oh, yeah
I need someone to show me
The things in life that I can't find
I can't see the things that make true happiness
I must be blind.
Make a joke, and I will sigh.
And you will laugh, and I will cry.
Happiness I cannot feel
And love to me is so unreal.
And so as you hear these words
Telling you now of my state
I tell you to enjoy life
I wish I could
But it's too late
@Eagleh425
reminds me of singing androids