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.
Where The Heart Is
Soft Cell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mother and father are rowing again
Silently seated around the table
You're the one that's getting the blame
Father looks at you like a snake
You play with the food upon your plate
No one seems to be on your side
Things that threaten to hurt your pride
Mother loves to be concerned
Using lessons that she learnt
Fathers never understand
When children have the upper hand
Smiling you did your time at school
Crying quietly like a fool
Saturday night and Sunday morning
Did all the things they asked you to do
They say that home is where the heart is
But home is only where the hurt is
Pull the wool over the eyes
Forget the worries that you started
Mother loves to be concerned
Using lessons that she learnt
Fathers never understand
When children have the upper hand
When you stayed out every night
The first time from your parent's sight
They started to show some concern
But by then it was too late
Feel it's time to pull away
Shut your ears to all they say
Be yourself you know it's true
When in the end what's left is you
Mother loves to be concerned
Using lessons that she learnt
Fathers never understand
When children have the upper hand
"Where The Heart Is" by Soft Cell is a song that gives a depiction of domestic strain and pain through the eyes of a child who is getting the blame for his family's problems. The atmosphere around the household is tense and again the parents are rowing. The child is quietly seated around the dinner table, playing with the food upon the plate and getting all the blame while father looks at him like he is a snake. The situation appears to be hopeless, and nobody seems to be on the child's side. The song shows how parents always think that they know what's right for their children, but they never truly understand their children when they have the upper hand.
The lyrics further portray how the child is trying hard to behave as good as he can, having done all the things asked of him to do, but in spite of all the efforts put forward, the landing is always harsh. The song goes on to express that home is only where the hurt is, and the child feels his time to pull away to be himself, the one that's left in the end. The song highlights how the child plans to forget the worries he started by pulling a woolen blanket over his eyes.
The lyrics of "Where The Heart Is" by Soft Cell beautifully sum up the internal pain and trauma experienced by a child during his domestic life. The song is a great commentary on how parents should listen to their children and understand their problems to avoid misunderstanding and conflicts within the household.
Line by Line Meaning
Atmospheres are tense today
The general feeling and mood around is serious and uneasy, creating a sense of discomfort.
Mother and father are rowing again
The parents are having an argument, which is not unusual since they have had similar disagreements in the past.
Silently seated around the table
Everyone is sitting at the table in silence, without saying anything or making any noise.
You're the one that's getting the blame
The blame for the argument and tensions is being placed on you, even if it isn't your fault.
Father looks at you like a snake
Your father is looking at you with anger and suspicion, like a venomous snake ready to strike.
You play with the food upon your plate
You are fidgeting with the food on your plate to distract yourself from the tension and awkwardness of the situation.
No one seems to be on your side
You feel like nobody is supporting you or listening to your side of the story.
Things that threaten to hurt your pride
The situation and blame being placed on you is causing emotional pain and hurt to your pride.
Mother loves to be concerned
Your mother enjoys being involved and concerned about your life, even if her involvement causes tension.
Using lessons that she learnt
She tries to offer advice and guidance based on what she has learned from her own experiences and mistakes.
Fathers never understand
Your father cannot relate or understand your perspective or feelings as a child.
When children have the upper hand
When children have more power or control in a situation, it can create conflict and resistance from parents.
Smiling you did your time at school
You appear happy and content with your academic achievements and time spent at school.
Crying quietly like a fool
When alone, you feel overwhelmed and sad about the situation, but try to keep it to yourself to avoid further conflict.
Saturday night and Sunday morning
The weekend is filled with chores and responsibilities requested by your parents, leaving you little freedom or relaxation.
Did all the things they asked you to do
You followed your parent's rules and completed the tasks assigned to you, hoping to avoid conflict.
They say that home is where the heart is
Home is supposed to be a place of love and comfort, but the current state of tension makes it feel like quite the opposite.
But home is only where the hurt is
The conflict and tension in the home creates a hurtful environment rather than a nurturing one.
Pull the wool over the eyes
You try to deceive or hide your true feelings in order to avoid conflict or criticism.
Forget the worries that you started
You try to let go of the stress and worries of the situation, even if it isn't a permanent solution and the worries will still come back.
When you stayed out every night
You rebelled and started staying out late to try and escape the pressures and tension at home.
The first time from your parent's sight
It was the first time you defied your parent's rules and stayed out late, without their knowledge or consent.
They started to show some concern
Your parents began to worry or be suspicious about your behavior and actions, since it changed from the norm.
But by then it was too late
You had already started down a path of rebellion and self-discovery, despite your parent's attempts to stop you.
Feel it's time to pull away
You feel like it's necessary to distance yourself from your parents and the environment at home, in order to grow and find yourself.
Shut your ears to all they say
You stop listening to your parent's rules and guidance, since you feel like it is not helping you and is hindering your growth.
Be yourself you know it's true
You know that in order to find true happiness and purpose, you have to be true to yourself and not let anyone stand in your way.
When in the end what's left is you
At the end of the day, it's your life and your choices that matter, and you have to live with the consequences of those choices.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JAMES BALL, MARC ALMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jayrox40
Brilliant, should've been a much bigger hit. Thanks for sharing.
@vencejo7572
I remember seeing this on TV at the time. Such a revelation! A masterpiece.
@aldopalacios3357
Terrific song! Amazing video. Piece of history and art.
@martin-mi3cg
One of their best songs, although at the time as a kid (and a fan) I thought it was a bit disappointing. Should have been a another top 10 though. I just love that line at the end "be yourself you know it's true when in the end what's left is you"...says it all about growing up and developing who you are.
@WALES1154
Love this
@paulabela4712
Underrated
@CONSIDERABLYMORE1
how beautiful
@mrgedwood1932
love it softladificasion 😀
@Tripp1417
Does anyone know if this is the official video as listed in the discography?
@witchflowers6942
it’s not, the official one is on their vevo, but it’s blocked in some countries, annoyingly.