Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

Roses In Chains from Toyah Willcox

Renowned artist Toyah Willcox’s latest single, ‘Roses In Chains’ is a captivating collaboration with her long-time writing partner Simon Darlow, and features the legendary Robert Fripp, adding his signature guitar to the production.

‘Roses In Chains’ emerged through collaborative song-writing sessions between Wilcox and Darlow, crafting a song that delves into the intense dynamics of human relationships. “The idea behind the song is the intensity of relationships; nothing is plain sailing, but bonds are unbreakable” Willcox explained. This theme of enduring connections is powerfully conveyed through both the music and the lyrics.

The single showcases the unique synergy between both them and Fripp. “Musically, we aim for our life experiences to add up to one,” the singer said, highlighting the trio’s diverse backgrounds: her roots in punk, Fripp’s eclectic genre-spanning career, and Darlow’s history of pop success. This convergence of influences is evident in the rich, textured sound of ‘Roses In Chains’, that follows in the footsteps of the pairings previous collaborative success, 2021’s charting album Posh Pop (#22 Official Album Chart). A standout feature of the song is their dual voices, symbolising the sometimes painful yet inseparable nature of deep relationships. “I asked Simon to sing with me to represent how sometimes two people cannot be apart, even if it hurts, that there is a symbiotic relationship.” Willcox explained.

• Continue reading at Ramzine.

So much more to 2024! Amazing chart stats for the recently released Rebel Run 10″ vinyl!

Official Charts: 27 Sep – 3 Oct 2024

Official Vinyl Singles Chart: No. 1 | Official Physical Singles Chart: No. 2

Today saw the release of Toyah’s amazing 1983 single, Rebel Run on 10″ grey vinyl, which includes unreleased tracks, including an extended version of the lead song. It feels like a new era of Love Is The Law. I’m celebrating from a fan perspective with a new issue of Toyah Fanzine, which I’m currently working on, focusing on all things Love Is The Law. This bundle also includes part two of our Toyah Album Discography collection – flyers & postcards for every Toyah album release.

• More info on Issue 61, including previews and order link, here.

Video Killed The Radio Star: Sky Arts: Monday 30th September: 5.30am
Toyah Willcox. (Series 7, Episode 6) An insight into the making of videos by Toyah Willcox, whose hits included It’s A Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains and I Want To Be Free.

It’s another Saturday Song with Toyah and to celebrate the beginning of Strictly Come Dancing this weekend its a classic song and very rarely seen footage. Enjoy the absolute Toyah anthem “I Want To Be Free” in a super rare 1981 Italian TV performance.

A new t-shirt featuring the iconic Toyah logo from the Rebel Run/Love Is the Law album (1983) is now available for pre-order in the Toyah & Robert merchandise shop! (Image © Toyah Willcox)

50 Wild Women Of The 80s!: NOW 80s: Thursday 5th September: 4pm
Brilliant songs, big voices, blazing hair & bags of attitude – the ladies of the 80s had the lot! From Toyah to Tina & Joan Jett to Janet Jackson.

Toyah & Robert are thrilled to be No.1 in The Heritage Charts with Roses In Chains.

Toyah during Saturday’s Toyah At Home: “Look out, as there are more announcements coming up over the next few months… Oh boy! Are there more announcements coming up! Yes!” Pre-order the Rebel Run EP.

Ever wondered what a remixed and mega-extended – almost nine minute – version of Thunder In The Mountains would sound like?

Another exciting Toyah reissue. Rebel Run, Toyah’s penultimate physical single release on Safari Records, receives a 10″ colour vinyl EP release on 20th September 2024.

NB. This release features a number of previously unseen Rebel Run/Love Is The Law era Toyah photos, including the great new cover shot – See another at toyahwillcox.com.

TOYAH: REBEL RUN, 10-INCH COLOURED VINYL EXPANDED EP

Newly expanded and remastered EP version of Toyah’s 1983 Top 30 single ‘Rebel Run’. This specially expanded EP is a pre-cursor to the forthcoming Cherry Red reissue of the Toyah band’s final studio album ‘Love Is The Law’.

Recorded in July 1983 at the Marquee Studios, Rebel Run was produced by Nick Tauber, and saw Toyah and Joel Bogen joined by songwriter and keyboardist Simon Darlow to create new material following the silver- certified album ‘The Changeling’.

Pressed on grey-coloured 10” vinyl, the EP is led by a previously unreleased extended version of ‘Rebel Run’, mixed during the original album recording sessions in 1983, but which remained in the vaults. Also making its debut from the archives is an Alternate version of the album title track ‘Love Is The Law’ featuring alternate lyrics. Side Two presents new remasters of the two original B-Sides of ‘Rebel Run’ and an unheard Instrumental version of the EP’s title track.

The tracks have been remastered by Nick Watson from the original master tapes and approved by Joel Bogen.

The EP features stunning previously unseen photography from the album photo sessions, depicting a futuristic aesthetic with Toyah in red body armour custom-designed by Swanky Modes. The outfit was worn by Toyah in the single’s promo video inspired by sci-fi movie Tron. A colour inner bag features yet further rare imagery.

A limited edition postcard of a previously-unseen image of Toyah will come with every 10” vinyl EP.

TRACK LISTING

REBEL SIDE (SIDE ONE)
1. Rebel Run (Extended)*
2. Love Is The Law (Alternate)*

RUN SIDE (SIDE TWO)
1. Rebel Run (Instrumental)*
2. To The Mountains High
3. Baptised In Fire
* previously unreleased

• Pre-order at Cherry Red Records. See further info at toyahwillcox.com. See Toyah announce the release at this morning’s Toyah At Home.

Toyah performing It’s A Mystery at Let’s Rock Leeds last weekend.

Roses In Chains, Toyah’s new single is out now! The video premieres on Facebook / YouTube at 11am, Saturday 22nd June. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)

Toyah releases Roses In Chains in just five days… See a preview of the video at Facebook and Instagram. Pre-save the single by clicking below.

There’s another chance to see one of the greatest pop images in modern music history – brought to life in Toyah’s iconic Brave New World 1982 promo video – very soon on BBC4′s re-airing of classic editions of Top Of The Pops.

Top Of The Pops: BBC Four: Friday 14th June: 8.30pm
17/06/1982. Simon Bates presents the weekly pop chart show, first broadcast on 17th June 1982. Includes appearances by Natasha, Roxy Music, Echo and the Bunnymen, Duran Duran, ABC, Bow Wow Wow, Queen, Toyah and Adam Ant.

• Below is the very first Brave New World feature I created for the fanzine back in 2014 (Issue 4).

Bird In Flight, the lead song from Toyah’s Double-A Side single – along with Tribal Look – and very first Toyah release of the 1980’s, is included on an upcoming new 4CD compilation.

Heaven Sent – The Rise Of New Pop 1979 – 1983, will be released on 28th July, with Bird In Flight included on CD1.

The compilation boasts a wealth of great late 70s/early 80s bands and artists, including: Soft Cell, The Cure, The Human League, Tears For Fears, Altered Images, Eurythmics, Grace Jones, The Clash, The Associates, Japan, Teardrop Explodes, Hazel O’Connor, The Jam, Madness, Godley & Creme (who directed two Toyah videos in 1981) and many more.

• See further info and pre-order at Cherry Red Records.

Over the years – almost 25 years now!! – I’ve occasionally posted here about cover versions of Toyah songs, and here’s the latest… Now some may think this is a little outlandish but there’s no denying this is someone who knows their Toyah songs and the importance of an eye-catching image! A riot of colour for Four From 1981!

Video Killed The Radio Star: Sky Arts: Thursday 2nd May: 5.30am
Toyah Willcox. (Series 7, Episode 6) An insight into the making of videos by Toyah Willcox, whose hits included It’s A Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains and I Want To Be Free.

Toyah performing I Want To Be Free at the Vive Le Rock Awards on 12th April 2024. (Thanks to Piranah Pete)

Christmas 2022, Toyah announced the release of a special 10” cherry red coloured vinyl EP commemorating the classic 1982 single Brave New World. To be released in March 2023, and limited to 500 copies only.

The EP contained four tracks, all previously unreleased versions, including the long-awaited Dawn Chorus (6.55 Special Mix). The release was part of Cherry Red Records’ special ‘45s at 45’ vinyl series marking the 45th Anniversary of the label.

The Tracklist: Side One: 1. Brave New World (Razzmatazz Mix). 2. Street Creature (Razzmatazz Mix) | Side Two: 1. Dawn Chorus (6.55 Special Version), 2. Ieya 1982 (Edited Version)

• Click below to browse the EP’s page at toyahwillcox.com.

Christmas 2016, and BBC Four aired a repeat Top Of The Pops, which was originally broadcast in October 1982 on BBC1, which included Toyah’s studio performance of the single, Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard). The third single of that year, and a new recording, following only one single – Brave New World – being released from The Changeling, Toyah’s studio album of 1982, and a re-recording of, previously released single, Ieya, renamed, Ieya ’82.

Toyah’s original TOTP performance – first broadcast some 41 years ago – is still an iconic, colourful, classic and completely unforgettable appearance, and has the message of Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard) ever been more relevant than in 2023? A song way ahead of its time! On a slightly more superficial note (but still important), Toyah’s imagery for the single’s release was, still is, and always will be, utterly stunning and creative.

While the retro TOTP aired, BBC Four also tweeted: “In 1982, Toyah was so famous, she even had a lion-tailed macaque named after her on Animal Magic, and appeared on the show to meet it“.