Behind the Songs: Soap Commercial

A selection of quotes from The Psychedelic Furs on the song "Soap Commercial."

Richard Butler (on producer Martin Hannett): "His forte is getting really weird sounds. He made a tape loop for us when we were doing 'Soap Commercial.' It was about 14 feet long. It went around a stand that the speaker was on and right into the tape room which was right over the desk. No, it might not have been 'Soap Commercial'... (WCUT-FM Radio 1981)

John Ashton: "When I first got to America I realized there really was a Channel 9." (Should God Forget liner notes, 1997)

John Ashton: "We got to work with Martin Hannett right around the Talk Talk Talk period when Steve [Lillywhite] wasn't around. We got to cut some tracks with Martin Hannett which ended up being on the domestic issue of the first album. I think it was 'Susan's Strange' and 'Soap Commercial.' These songs replaced 'Blacks/Chaos/Radio' and they were produced by Martin Hannett." (Everyone Loves Guitar podcast 2021)

Rich Good (on being asked what were his favorite classic PFurs songs to play live): "'Soap Commercial', 'Sister Europe', 'Dumb Waiters', 'Only You And I', 'Alice's House'… Honestly, there's not really any I don't like playing." (Post-Punk.com 2022)

Photo: Andrew Douglas