The story behind
Soft Cell recorded "Chips on My Shoulder" in 1981 as part of their debut album, *Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret*. The song was written in a London studio, along with others that made up the album. The album was released in November of that year, thanks to the success of their first single, a cover of "Tainted Love," which became a global hit. The band used basic equipment, such as a tape recorder, a borrowed drum machine, and a synthesizer. The song has a fast tempo and vocals that shift between close and distant, as if speaking directly into your ear. The lyrics touch on themes of desire and frustrated longing, with a way of expressing things that doesn’t sound like a typical song. The song doesn’t sound like anything you’ve heard before, but it doesn’t stray too far either. It’s a track that sticks in your head, with a weight that doesn’t feel too heavy. ↓ Skip to chordsIntro 1
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C F D F D
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Verse 1
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Verse 2
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G C
F D G C F C D G C
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Interlude 1
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Verse 3
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No
Verse 4
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Verse 5
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Interlude 2
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Verse 6
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Verse 7
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G C F C D
G C F D G C
F C
D G C F D
F D G D
F D F D
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Verse 8
C D G C
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Outro 1
C F D G C F D
F D
D F D
From the album
Non‐Stop Erotic Cabaret
Soft Cell · 1981 · Track 7