Purple Zone

"Purple Zone" is a song by English synth-pop duo Soft Cell. It was recorded in around 2020 to 2021 as part of the album *Happiness Not Included, but was later reworked into a new version with the Pet Shop Boys, though the original would still remain on the vinyl format of the album. The original version of the song is featured in both the 2022 film Hilda and the Lost Ring and its soundtrack album. It can also be listened here.
==Background ==
The song was originally based on synesthesia, according to Marc Almond, where "one reaches an aesthetic zone called the 'purple zone'". It was later brought up in other fields. The "purple zone" was considered a "no man's wasteland" that people were on at the time, also known as a period of dark flux.https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/theartsdesk-qa-marc-almond-soft-cell
For the *Happiness Not Included recording sessions, "Purple Zone" was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, where Almond and Dave Ball worked remotely on vocals and music. The song wasn't going to be included in the album, as it was "missing something". However, despite that, a decision was made to include the song onto the album.
In November 2021, Soft Cell played "Purple Zone" at a London concert, where the crowd involved legendary synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys. They picked "Purple Zone" as one of their favorite tracks at the concert, and considered doing a remix for the duo. But due to its amazing sound, their version was later picked as the official, replacing this original version. However, due to the yellow vinyl and picture disc formats' production of *Happiness Not Included going in a long time ago, the original stayed on pre-ordered vinyl formats, and future vinyl discs will feature the Soft Cell & Pet Shop Boys version of "Purple Zone".
In June, it was announced that the radio edit and extended mix of the original "Purple Zone" would be added onto the CD and 12" formats of the single Nostalgia Machine, a song on *Happiness Not Included.https://www.softcell.co.uk/nostalgia-machine-single/
In late-July 2023, the original Soft Cell-only version of "Purple Zone" was included on the duo's compilation album *Happiness Now Completed.https://www.softcell.co.uk/product/happiness-now-completed-cd
In 2024, a reworked version of the song was included in the single "Blue World", which accompanied the Hilda series. Series composer Ryan Carlson added new synth music and additional verses were added.
==Lyrics (original version)==
[Verse 1]
My time goes so slow
And I don't know how the show will end
I'm losing all my feeling
Emotion I pretend
So let's get out of this life
I'm afraid and alone
Paralyzed in the purple zone
[Chorus]
Let's get out of this life
I'm afraid and alone
Paralyzed in the purple zone
Paralyzed in the purple zone
[Verse 2]
All the fleeting moments of beauty
You blinked and then they were gone
Now you're sitting there wondering
Just where it all went wrong
No glory, no glamor, too many confusions
Coloring all my delusions
Paralyzed in the purple zone
[Verse 3]
One day you will wake
From your sleep of the dead
Kick out the strangers
Asleep in your bed
And you'll cry out
Let's get out of this life
I'm afraid and alone
Paralyzed in the purple zone
[Chrous]
Let's get out of this life
I'm afraid and alone
Paralyzed in the purple zone
Let's get out of this life (purple zone)
I'm afraid and alone
Paralyzed in the purple zone
==Trivia==
*The song wasn't going to be featured in Hilda and the Lost Ring, but after being listened to a couple of times, a decision was made to feature it into both the film and its soundtrack.
==Source(s)==
Category:Songs
Category:Songs from films
Category:Songs from animated films
Category:2022 singles
Category:Songs with alternate lyrics
Category:Songs by artist
Category:Unreleased