Metro MRX

Origin
“Metro MRX” was written by David Ball during his early years in Leeds Polytechnic. Theme of the song is typical for his and Almond's projects at the time, which criticize consumerism and mundane life style. Initially Ball was singing it, but after meeting Marc Almond and forming together Soft Cell, Almond took the role of the vocalist.

Record and release
The duo was performing the song on early live shows. In 1980 it was recorded at Leeds Polytechnic's studio for their debut record Mutant Moments EP.

The track later appears in 2005 on The Bedsit Tapes compilation with other early Soft Cell demos, then in 2018 on Keychains And Snowstorms box set as a remaster.

Flexipop
“Metro MRX” was later pitched for duo's first single release in 1981, with their other early songs – “A Man Could Get Lost” and “Persuasion”, but didn't make it in favor of newly written “Memorabilia”. The track still was recorded during 1980 studio sessions with producer Daniel Miller, to be used as one of the backing tracks for live shows. New version received faster, more dance-oriented arrangement, with Almond adding more soulful vocal approach. It was later recorded and released on a flexi disc single for anniversary issue of Flexipop magazine – the track ends with Almond and Ball singing “Happy birthday, dear Flexipop” and short quiet fragment of “Bedsitter” demo.

Remaster of Flexipop version appears on Keychains And Snowstorms box set, but with differently mixed vocals (both main and backing), comparing to first release. This mix also appeared on some bootlegs.

Live versions
Live recordings of the song appeared on bootleg records, but one officially released recording belongs to video of Soft Cell's 1981 show in Leeds, on Keychains And Snowstorms box set.

Personnel

 * Original version
 * Vocals – Marc Almond
 * Written-By, instruments – David Ball

Availability
“Metro MRX” appears on following records.

Original and ‘Flexipop’ demo version are also available on streaming platforms.

Listen

 * Official uploads on YouTube

Trivia

 * “Metro MRX” is the first Soft Cell song that received radio play: at Futurama II festival on September 1981, Dave Ball met John Peel and gave him test pressing copy of Mutant Moments, the only copy of EP existed at the time, – the song appeared on Peel's Radio 1 show 3 times.
 * Flexipop version of “Metro MRX” also was played on Peel's show, two months later after release.
 * “Metro MRX” chorus is referenced on the back cover of Mutant Moments EP as note above track listing: “Who is your favourite mutant?”