A Man Can Get Lost

Recording
After Stevo negotiated a deal with Phonogram record label for Soft Cell to release two singles, the duet's choice of producer fell on Daniel Miller, which was primarily motivated by his earlier work with Fad Gadget (with whom both Almond and Ball studied with at Leeds Polytechnic) and his own releases as the Normal and Silicon Teens.

Singles were recorded with Miller in 16 track Stage One Studio in December 1980. “A Man Could Get Lost” was a song from earlier repertoire of the duo, while the idea for “Memorabilia” came to Almond just before studio session and was improvised during recording, both lyrically and musically. The latter was recorded as a full, long version and later shortened for a 7″ format. Both tracks use Almond's first take vocals.

Release
Both A Man Can Get Lost and Memorabilia singles were released on 21 March, 1981. Not only they were debut singles for Soft Cell, but also the first single releases of Some Bizzare label. The reason behind singles having different A sides remains unknown.

Artwork
Front cover features a posterized photograph of Almond and Ball sitting by ‘Soft Cell’ neon sign, shot by famed Hollywood photographer Paolo Di Paolo. Same artwork goes for Memorabilia single.

Sleeve design is credited to Soft Cell.

On advertisement of the singles a newer, and also posterized, photograph of the duo was used, with Ball in a white shirt and Almond in a new romantic style outfit, taken by Peter Ashworth earlier in 1981.

Track listing
* Like the single itself, “A Man Could Get Lost” track is mistitled as “A Man Can Get Lost”.

Personnel

 * Electronics – David Ball
 * Vocals – Marc Almond
 * Production – Daniel Miller
 * Engineering – Pete Maben

Reception
Both singles failed to get into pop charts, but in the end the 12" Memorabilia managed to make name for Soft Cell in club scene, both UK and US.