To celebrate the 43rd anniversary of Soft Cell's debut album, 'Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret', Vicky Leigh has released a short cover of the album's fifth track called 'Sex Dwarf'. All the way back in April 2019 they published a review of Soft Cell's debut, and when speaking about the song they had this to say: “['Sex Dwarf' is] perhaps one of the most erotic, daring and simply brilliant songs I have ever heard. The famous song with it’s banned S&M music video, a precursor to videos like Nine Inch Nail’s ‘Closer’. And the song itself is drowned in even more sexual lyrics I want to scream at the top of my lungs. It features a whining, hollow synth lead line between verses of Almond moaning and screeching, as well as talking about his Rolls Royce and his “dumb chauffeur”. I especially love the line where he says that his Rolls is “so huge”… do you mean your car or your cock, Marc?” Fast forward five years later and they've finally had a stab at the song themselves.
Why did you choose to cover 'Sex Dwarf''?
Quite honestly, because I wanted to be able to sing - or attempt to sing - "I would like you on a long black lead". I fucking love that line, I think it's so... powerful? There's just something about it, especially the last time he sings it. But also maybe to be seen? I mean, Soft Cell found fame with a cover; Marilyn Manson found fame with a cover. But that was back in the 80's and 90's, I've not got a bloody clue how to navigate finding an audience in this day and age! I just feel like nobody sees me, so hopefully this will get some eyes on me.
What made you choose to cover this song in particular?
Earlier this year I tried to cover 'What Have You Done For Me Lately' by Janet Jackson as a fun little thing, but as much as I tried, my cover sounded absolutely terrible. I daren't give it the light of day for the embarrassment! Janet's talent matched with the New Jack Swing of her original just isn't meant for what little capabilities I have, whereas Soft Cell is way more me. I've covered Gary Numan and Kraftwerk in the past, both huge influences on me, and they both do more of the “speak singing” that I do. I'd throw Soft Cell into that camp too, as the only real challenge on the vocals is the unique way Marc sings it. Whether I've pulled it off or not is a different story, so I hope I haven't ruined a classic. Fingers crossed. As for why now, I just decided to listen to the song again on a whim. Then I played it more, remembered why I love it, and thought “...maybe I could try this?” Which all happened about two weeks before the album's 43rd anniversary.
How did you go about making your cover?
I wanted to do a mix of the album version and later remix from 'Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing', so that remixed version opens my cover, then once my vocals first stop it crashes into an imitation of the album version. All of which I put together in about two hours, after searching for different covers of the song. I looked up the key of the song, a drum cover, a bass tab and paid close attention to the how the keys are played in a full song cover to construct it myself. Then I mixed the lyrics of both versions, grabbed my mic and recorded take one.
Is this released version take one? I know you've been releasing a lot of demos on your website.
This is a more refined version with a new vocal and some added bits, so it's take two. I tried to shop around for opinions from some trusted musician friends to ask if it's okay, what to add and what to change in hopes they'd stop me from making a fool of myself. I got one response and he didn't say it's shit, so I'm trusting it's at least a bearable attempt. But I'd love to come back to the song again in the future and add some real guitar to it, as it currently has a plugin preset thingy, and for “my version” I want guitar to be a feature of it – dirty, gritty and up front. Now my financial situation just needs to improve so I can work on that, and the pile of other songs needing real guitar to be added.
Your previous music output has been orientated more toward mental health and darker music, so what's made you change up for this?
I'd say my previous website exclusive song 'LiTE$WiTCH' was treading this kind of territory, but I also think this is pretty dark. Or edgy at least. I love music that's daring and pushes the boundaries, like Prince's third album ~ he's standing in his underwear and has a song about incest, but also one about sending kids to war, ALL in the same half hour! And just go look at the banned 'Sex Dwarf' music video. I'd love to recreate it someday, somehow, if I ever found somebody stupid enough to participate. But this song is also from a time where sex wasn't plastered everywhere in media. You turn on the radio now and you'll hear some variation of a songs about sex, whereas back in 1981, I can imagine this would have been both outrageous and ground breaking. Plus it's by a fellow queer artist, which I think that makes it all the more special. Not to pigeonhole Marc, of course.
Was Marc Almond's sexuality a draw to cover this song?
No, but it makes sense. “Queer, non~binary, trans artists covers gay man” just sounds and feels right to me. Like I'm, I don't know, piggybacking off him? Paying homage to what he did in a society that's now a lot more more accepting and desensitised? But even so, I think and hope it'll raise eyebrows from people who encounter it through my filter. I'm all “technology bad” and “fucked in the head” and now I'm singing about parading somebody around town on a lead.
Yes, let's talk about that! The artwork for your version reeks of sexuality.
Good, I'm glad! I hoped it would.
Why is that?
I thought it was time to empower myself. I scroll on social media and see these drop dead, gorgeous women who look like models and it makes me so sad and angry. I don't have that body and it'll probably be an eternity until I do have it, if ever. But I'm also sick of hiding in the shadows and being scared of embracing the fact I do want to be more feminine, and to be sexy but on my terms. And I thought this would be the perfect way to do it. Singing about sex and being risqué by covering a raunchy song by a gay man. But I also hope it can factor into showing people that I do have range, that I don't just stick to one type of genre or subject. I want to give absolutely everything I can a go because I feel like a scholar of the world. But I want to and least try and look sexy while doing it, when and where appropriate. Flaunting what little of everything I do have.
Do you think it might be met with backlash?
People might not like it because it's a shit cover and that's okay, I tried my best with it. I tried to pay homage while putting my spin on it, which is what all good covers are, right? And I'll keep improving on it until I'm happy with it. I do hope it raises the eyebrows of people who know me and people who come across me. But if a gay or a trans person singing about sex and their sexuality makes you feel uncomfortable, I think that's on you. Media and music has been dominated by straight people since the dawn of time, so it's time for minorities and communities like this to have their turn. But we can all co~exist together, we're not hurting anybody and we're not the monsters some people make us out to be.
Can you talk a bit more on the single cover quickly?
Of course I can! Much like the music video I did for 'I Don't Enjoy This Station', it was done in the corner of my bedroom (otherwise known as The Crypt) in front of my door, then edited on my phone in Picsart. One, because it's all I can afford, but two because it's quick and easy. And I wanted to try and imitate the original album cover as much as possible, hence the sunglasses and holding a package near a trench coat, plus the digital attempt at a neon sign. And I also wanted to channel the more sexual elements of the song, so that's where the bralette and dog lead come into it. I wanted it to be raunchy, kinky, bordering on BDSM and a porno. It's just a shame the lead isn't long and black.
What about the UNIT badge?
(Laughs) That's me being a nerd! The jacket wasn't got specially for this shoot or anything, it's just the jacket I wear basically every day now. I wanted something like a trench coat and found this, and luckily it was the kind of jacket Marc wore on the cover. The UNIT badge is 'Doctor Who' merch I obviously wear to channel Kate Stewart, or to pretend I'm scientific advisor number 58. I couldn't be bothered to take it off, so I'll probably get a cease and desist from Russell T Davies now. Or the Whovians will think it's from a knockoff 'Doctor Who' porn video, because those exist, so the possibilities are endless.
And so, to end, do you have any memories of Soft Cell and their debut to share?
Yes! I discovered them when I was about 18 years old, freshly out as a trans person. At that point in my life I was listening to Gary Numan, Kraftwerk, Adam Ant, Japan, them and Tears For Fears on the daily. It was my New Wave years, and those are the people I looked up to and wanted to be. I'd love to have a hit like 'Cars', 'The Model' or 'Stand And Deliver' someday. Now I just listen to all the 'Silent Hill' soundtracks on repeat. But I also associate them and that album with a specific time of my life, like some songs in particular take me back to specific rooms at specific times and remind me of specific people. 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye' reminds me of one girl in particular I matched with on Hinge in 2019 and the lyrics are perfect for that, "I never knew you, you never knew me, say hello goodbye". So that can hurt, or be bittersweet, but 'Sex Dwarf' is one of the ones I can thankfully listen to and have the time of my life.
Any other songs you want to mention and draw attention to?
I think 'Frustration' is a fucking fantastic opener. For a while the lines where he's saying “experiment with cocaine, LSD and set a bad, bad example” were like a life motto to me. Not that I ever have or will try them, but there's something about pushing to such extremes to cope I can understand, and promoting it takes some balls. That's how you're opening your album? Followed by screaming “I wanna die”, which I think so many people like me can relate to. Then there's 'Chip On My Shoulder', I love the hypocrisy in that one. “I'll talk about famine while cooking my dinner” and “I'm making a stand while I sit on my arse” feel like they're foreshadowing the performative activism of today. But also maybe how some people want to change the world, but through lack of power or money or ability, they're unable to. Funny how just those two examples can be read either way, isn't it?
Sounds like you're getting into review territory here.
Honestly, after studying English at Uni and learning how to properly analyse writing, combined with listening to this album on repeat recently, I could probably do an entirely new review of the album.
But you've still got to review the new Manson album, don't forget.
I'm supposed to be filming five more videos for a new YouTube series and here I am covering Soft Cell on a random Tuesday afternoon! The heart wants what the heart wants.
Vicky Leigh's cover of 'Sex Dwarf' is available to hear now on SoundCloud.
[Words by Loxten Suida, photography by Vicky Leigh]
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