The interviewer asks: What’s your favourite colour?
“Helmet purple”
Marc Almond
from the recent BBC documentary, Soft Cell: Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0002tc3/soft-cell-say-hello-wave-goodbye
http://www.softcell.co.uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_Cell
https://twitter.com/softcellhq
https://hornet.com/stories/soft-cell-marc-almond-dave-ball-history/
Marc Almond’s statement has a provocative and specific meaning, which aligns with the often bold and unapologetic style of his artistic expression. In this context, describing his favourite colour as “helmet purple” is a cheeky, vivid, and direct reference to the glans of the penis, which can appear purple or reddish in colour due to the blood flow. This kind of statement, coming from Marc Almond, is consistent with his career-long embrace of sexual themes and imagery in his music and public persona.
Almond, as an artist, has never shied away from exploring and expressing themes related to sexuality, desire, and human experience in his work, often pushing against societal norms and expectations. His choice to express a favourite colour in such terms could be seen as a reflection of his openness and willingness to confront and play with sexual themes directly and publicly.
Such a statement, while surprising in a conventional sense, fits within the broader context of Almond’s artistic identity, where sexuality and personal expression are central themes. It’s a reminder of how artists can use language and imagery not just for shock value, but to express personal truths, challenge social taboos, and explore the complexities of human identity and desire.
