Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing

Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing
EP by Soft Cell
Released 21 June 1982
Recorded 1982
Genre Synthpop, new wave
Length 27:50
Label Some Bizzare
Sire
Vertigo (original release)
Mercury (various reissues)
Producer Mike Thorne
Soft Cell chronology

Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
(1981)		 Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing
(1982)		 The Art of Falling Apart
(1983)
Singles from Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing
  1. "What!" b/w "....So"
    Released: August 1982
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]

Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing is an EP by English synthpop duo Soft Cell, released in the United Kingdom on 21 June 1982 by Some Bizzare Records. It produced a top five hit, a cover of Judy Street's 1966 song "What?", as well as remixes of both sides of the band's first single, "A Man Could Get Lost" and "Memorabilia", B side of second single Tainted Love and two non-single tracks from the first album Non Stop Erotic Cabaret.

Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing is widely recognised as being one of the first house records in the United Kingdom. As the name implies, Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing was conceived, by the band's own admission, under the influence of MDMA (commonly referred to as ecstasy). The album and its inspiration, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, were both recorded almost simultaneously in New York City at a time when its gay club scene was just beginning to emerge. Vocalist Marc Almond later said in an interview with journalist Simon Tebbutt that the album's sound, as well as the sound of the band, was influenced by a short stint working at The Warehouse, a popular nightclub in Leeds. The album is more dance-oriented than Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, with extended versions and instrumental cuts of various songs from its predecessor as well as several new tracks.

The band went on hiatus for a small period of time after the album's release, with David Ball taking time to reconcile with his girlfriend and Almond performing with Marc and the Mambas. This fuelled rumours that the band was splitting up; although they would release two more albums (1983's The Art of Falling Apart and 1984's This Last Night in Sodom), tensions were already beginning to tear the band apart.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Dave Ball and Marc Almond, except where noted. 

UK and European edition
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Memorabilia"    5:22
2. "Where Did Our Love Go?"  Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Edward Holland, Jr. 4:12
3. "What?"  H. B. Barnum 4:33
4. "A Man Could Get Lost"    4:05
5. "Chips on My Shoulder"    4:26
6. "Sex Dwarf"    5:15
North American edition
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Memorabilia"    5:22
2. "Where Did Our Love Go?"  Holland, Dozier, Holland 4:24
3. "What?"  Barnum 4:33
4. "A Man Could Get Lost"    3:58
5. "Insecure Me"    7:30
6. "Sex Dwarf"    5:15

The original North American vinyl release replaced "Chips on My Shoulder" with the extended version of "Insecure...Me?", while the 1999 remastered CD reissue contained both tracks.

Personnel
  • Josh – back cover photography
  • Nicky Kalliongis – assistant engineer
  • M.T. 9 – artwork
  • Jack Skinner – cutting engineer
  • Mike Thorne – producer
  • David Tofani – tenor saxophone
  • Don Wershba – engineer

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1982) Peak
position
Dutch Albums Chart[2] 42
UK Albums Chart[3] 6
US Top LPs[4] 57

Certifications

Country Certification
United Kingdom Gold[5]

References

  1. ↑ McDonald, Steven. "Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing – Soft Cell – Review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 21 June 2006.
  2. ↑ "Soft Cell – Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  3. ↑ "Chart Stats – Soft Cell – Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing". The Official Charts Company. Chart Stats. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing – Soft Cell – Billboard Albums". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  5. ↑ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. 15 November 1982. Retrieved 25 July 2011.