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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“.

Last weekend’s Saturday Song was a 1982 vintage TV clip of Ieya filmed for Pebble Mill. This performance features on the 2CD+DVD Edition of the remastered reissue of The Changeling, out 29 September on Cherry Red Records.

• Pre-order The Changeling Super Deluxe Box Set & other formats.

It’s Toyah Tuesday and as The Changeling deluxe releases approach Official Toyah are revisiting songs and footage related to the album from then and now. This 2021 performance is an intimate rendition of the classic single Brave New World.

• Pre-order The Changeling Super Deluxe Box Set & other formats.

Last weekend’s Saturday Song was a vintage 1982 performance of the classic single Good Morning Universe, live in Germany.

Find the remastered version of Good Morning Universe and the TOTP performance of the song on the remastered deluxe 2CD+DVD edition of Toyah’s classic 1982 album The Changeling released on 29 September.

• Pre-order The Changeling Super Deluxe Box Set & other formats.

Official Toyah are getting set for a summer of music and a trip back to 1982 with The Changeling Resurrection. Each Tuesday they’re counting down to the remastered, deluxe releases of Toyah’s classic 1982 album The Changeling, released 29 September on Cherry Red.

Today’s Saturday Song is a vintage 1982 performance of the classic single Brave New World, live in Germany. Check back on Tuesdays and Saturdays here and across Toyah’s socials for more Changeling-themed surprises.

• Pre-order The Changeling Super Deluxe Box Set & other formats.

The Official Charts website has had a major revamp/makeover recently. You can now browse Toyah’s chart history across numerous charts, rather than just the previously available Singles and Albums. Almost every album, box set and vinyl Toyah release over the past six years has entered numerous charts compiled by Official Charts. See all of these as well as Toyah’s “classic” chart entries by clicking below.

Welcome to a new month! It’s an exciting beginning to July, with the release announcement for the reissue of Toyah’s 1982 studio album, The Changeling, taking place this morning on Toyah At Home. Click below to watch at You Tube. Airs from 11am.

This is incredibly exciting… New visuals and audio from Brave New World/The Changeling… one of the most iconic songs/albums of modern music, with visuals that still look ahead of time, some 41 years later!

See footage/Listen to unheard audio by clicking below – Watch Toyah announce the reissue this Saturday on Toyah At Home at You Tube and/or Facebook.

It’s A Mystery, Toyah’s forever iconic 1981 hit, from the Four From Toyah EP, was the “Big 45” on The Simon Mayo Drivetime Show on Greatest Hits Radio on Tuesday.

Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW Rock: Friday 5th May: 10am
T’Pau’s Carol Decker brings a bit of Heart and Soul to a countdown of ’80s ladies who like to rock! With Joan Jett, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar. (as well as Toyah via the Thunder In The Mountains video)

A vintage television clip of the song “Danced”, filmed in 1979., from the album Sheep Farming In Barnet.

There’s new songs every Saturday morning uploaded to the Toyah channel in the 11am ‘Toyah At Home’ slot. Remember to catch a new monthly Toyah At Home special at 11am on the first Saturday of each month.

Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW Rock: Wednesday 8th March: 5pm
Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW 80s: Thursday 9th March: 3pm
T’Pau’s Carol Decker brings a bit of Heart and Soul to a countdown of ’80s ladies who like to rock! With Joan Jett, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar. (as well as Toyah via the Thunder In The Mountains video)

Video Killed The Radio Star: Sky Arts: Saturday 11th March: 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.

Latex Messiah (Posh Redux) featuring Robert Fripp was released today digitally. Taken from the upcoming Deluxe Edition of In The Court Of The Crimson Queen, which is released – on CD and translucent red double vinyl – on 10th February.

Toyah introduces the new version on Toyah At Home tomorrow at 11am. Latex Messiah gets some utterly eyepopping new Latex visuals courtesy of Toyah & Robert in this week’s Sunday Lunch! Airing at midday on Sunday (15th January).

• Stream or download Latex Messiah by clicking below.

There are two helpings of Toyah in the latest issue (#79, January/February 2023) of Classic Pop magazine: A review of the forthcoming ‘Rhythm Deluxe Edition’ of studio album In The Court of The Crimson Queen, and Four From Toyah, in a Top 20 EPs feature, with the 1981 release included at #15.

• Click below to view larger versions of both articles. The latest issue of Classic Pop magazine is available to buy in store and online. (Thanks to Minna of The Toyah Willcox Interview Archive for both scans)

Toyah wishing everyone a Merry Christmas Eve this morning on Toyah At Home, and taking us back to a vintage performance of It’s A Mystery on Top Of The Pops, Christmas Day 1981. I can still clearly remember watching this that day all those (41) years ago! (Image © Toyah Willcox)