The 80s loved a good makeover, especially when it came to music. Plenty of hits you associate with big hair and neon lights actually had earlier lives, then came back with synths, punchier production, and a whole new attitude. In some cases, the glow-up worked so well it replaced the original in people’s minds. This list digs into ten tracks that got the 80s treatment and came out louder. You might recognize every one of them, but the stories behind them add a little extra bite. Keep reading, because a couple of these picks might make you rethink what you thought you knew.
#1: “Tainted Love” by Gloria Jones – Soft Cell (1981)
You probably associate “Tainted Love” with Soft Cell, but it first appeared in 1964 when Gloria Jones recorded it for the U.S. label Champion. That version barely charted. In 1981, Soft Cell released their take after years of performing it in clubs. Built around a drum machine and synthesizer, it hit No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed on the Hot 100 for 43 weeks, setting a record at the time.
