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Posts Tagged ‘I Believe in Father Christmas’

Christmas Countdown 2023: Day 19: I Believe In Father Christmas

December 23rd, 2023

Christmas 1982, The build up/countdown to Christmas wouldn’t be complete at Dreamscape without this… I think I’ve mentioned I Believe in Father Christmas almost every December for the last 24 years, so here we go again…

Toyah covers the Greg Lake 1975 classic (which I didn’t realise also features Robert Fripp until Toyah mentioned it a few years ago on Toyah’s Christmas at the Zoo) for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982. The programme aired on Boxing Day and also featured Musical Youth, Mari Wilson, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, The Nolans, Toto Coelo, The Mighty Wah! and Shakin’ Stevens.

According to an info board posted online, Pop Goes Christmas was only recorded less than a fortnight before it aired. Not sure if this is completely accurate. 

Toyah sounds glorious, looks amazing (wearing her Brave New World/The Changeling black contacts) and Keith Hale and Joel Bogen are having a right old festive time in the forest of lit up trees during the recording, which was introduced by David Essex. Bravo!

NB: Official Toyah posted today at Facebook and Instagram: Toyah’s 1982 version of the Greg Lake classic I Believe In Father Christmas is the perfect soundtrack for Christmas Eve Eve. Click below to stream at Spotify.

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 20: I Believe In Father Christmas

December 24th, 2022

It’s Christmas Eve! And the final day of Dreamscape’s Christmas Countdown 2022…

Christmas 1982, The build up/countdown to Christmas wouldn’t be complete at Dreamscape without this… I think I’ve mentioned I Believe in Father Christmas almost every December for the last 23 years, so here we go again…

Toyah covers the Greg Lake 1975 classic (which I didn’t realise also features Robert Fripp until Toyah mentioned it a few years ago on Toyah’s Christmas at the Zoo) for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982. The programme aired on Boxing Day and also featured Musical Youth, Mari Wilson, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, The Nolans, Toto Coelo, The Mighty Wah! and Shakin’ Stevens.

According to an info board posted online, Pop Goes Christmas was only recorded less than a fortnight before it aired. Not sure if this is completely accurate. 

Toyah sounds glorious, looks amazing (wearing her Brave New World/The Changeling black contacts) and Keith Hale and Joel Bogen are having a right old festive time in the forest of lit up trees during the recording, which was introduced by David Essex. Bravo!

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 7: Toyah At Home

December 11th, 2022

Christmas 2022, Toyah At Home on Saturday 10th December was a festive special – featuring Toyah and Robert – airing at Toyah’s Official You Tube channel and Facebook feed.

Toyah and Robert watched and reacted to Toyah’s performance of, Greg Lake’s wonderful, I Believe In Father Christmas from the tv show Pop Goes Christmas, which originally aired at Christmas 1982 on ITV. The full retro festive clip was also shown at the end of the episode.

In today’s Toyah At Home episode, Toyah reacts to the fantastically festive 1982 performance of the Greg Lake classic I Believe In Father Christmas. Filmed in December 1982, this clip turns 40- this year and features Toyah sporting black contact lenses and accompanied by Joel Bogen and Keith Hale. Happy 40th to this version!

• Watch Saturday’s Toyah At Home by clicking below. (Image © Toyah Willcox)

Christmas 2019: Day 20: I Believe In Father Christmas

December 20th, 2019

Christmas 1982christmas14f, Toyah covers a 70’s Christmas classic! The build up to Christmas wouldn’t be complete at Dreamscape without this… I think I’ve mentioned I Believe in Father Christmas every December for the last 20 years, so here we go again…

Toyah covers the Greg Lake 1975 classic (which also features Robert Fripp, Toyah confirmed a few years ago on Toyah’s Christmas at the Zoo) for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982. She sounds great, looks amazing and Keith Hale and Joel Bogen are having a right old festive time in the forest of lit up trees. Bravo!

Christmas 2019: Day 19: Festive-Related Releases

December 19th, 2019

Christmas 2019, and ochristmas14fnly 6 days until Christmas Day, why not download some, Christmas/festive-related, Toyah music/releases to help make the rest of the countdown more melodic.

1. I Believe In Father Christmas; Toyah’s version of the Greg Lake 70s festive classic (which was voted one of the greatest ever Christmas songs in a 2012 poll) has gathered quite a history over the years: It was originally recorded for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982, Safari then included it on the Mayhem compilation album in 1985, and later it was also made available on the CD Live & More. At Christmas 2012 it was released as a digital single. Download at iTunes. 2.Winter In Wonderland; One year on and at Christmas 2013 there was another new digital single, make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download at iTunes. 3. Has God Ceased To Dream You; Toyah released this four-song EP in December 2014 as a companion piece to the recently digitally released Take The Leap! album… Download at iTunes.

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Dreamscape Advent Calendar 2018: Day 20

December 20th, 2018

christmas2018aChristmas 2018, and only five days until Christmas Day, why not download some, Christmas related, Toyah music…

1. I Believe In Father ChristmasToyah’s version of the Greg Lake 70s festive classic (which was voted one of the greatest ever Christmas songs in a 2012 poll) has gathered quite a history over the years: It was originally recorded for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982, Safari then included it on the Mayhem compilation album in 1985, and later it was also made available on the CD Live & More. Six years ago, at Christmas 2012, it was released as a standalone digital single. Download at iTunes. 2.Winter In WonderlandOne year on and at Christmas 2013 there was another new digital single, make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download at iTunes3. Has God Ceased To Dream You; Toyah released this four-song EP in December 2014 as a companion piece to the digitally released Take The Leap! album… Download at iTunes.

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Blast From A Christmas Past: Believe|Winter|Dream

December 21st, 2016

Only 4 days until Christmas, why not download some, Christmas related, Toyah music…

1. I Believe In Father ChristmasToyah’s version of the Greg Lake 70s festive classic (which was voted one of the greatest ever Christmas songs in a 2012 poll) has gathered quite a history over the years: It was originally recorded for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982, Safari then included it on the Mayhem compilation album in 1985, and later it was also made available on the CD Live & More. Four years ago, at Christmas 2012, it was released as a standalone digital single. Download at iTunes. 2.Winter In WonderlandOne year on and at Christmas 2013 there was another new digital single, make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download at iTunes3. Has God Ceased To Dream You; Toyah released this four-song EP in December 2014 as a companion piece to the recently digitally released Take The Leap! album… Download at iTunes.

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Walk Of Stars: I Believe in Father Christmas

December 11th, 2016

Toyah performed I Believe in Father Christmas live today for the very first time at the Birmingham Walk of Stars event. She was also interviewed by ITV Central and BBC Midlands. See photos from today’s ceremony/concert at Instagram and Facebook.

Greg Lake, 1947 – 2016

December 8th, 2016

Such sad news – Greg Lake, legendary bass guitarist and writer of the greatest Christmas song, I Believe in Father Christmas, died yesterday. Read The Guardian’s tribute to Greg here.

Christmas Countdown: Believe | Winter | Dream

December 19th, 2015

christmas14fOnly 6 days until Christmas, why not download some, Christmas related, Toyah music/releases to help make the rest of the countdown more melodic.

1. I Believe In Father ChristmasToyah’s version of the Greg Lake 70s festive classic (which was voted one of the greatest ever Christmas songs in a 2012 poll) has gathered quite a history over the years: It was originally recorded for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982, Safari then included it on the Mayhem compilation album in 1985, and later it was also made available on the CD Live & More. Three Christmasses ago it was released as a standalone digital single. Download at iTunes. 2.Winter In WonderlandOne year on and at Christmas 2013 there was another new digital single, make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download at iTunes. 3. Has God Ceased To Dream You; Toyah released this four-song EP last December as a companion piece to the recently digitally released Take The Leap! album… Download at iTunes.

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Christmas Countdown: I Believe In Father Christmas

December 3rd, 2015

christmas14fThe build up to Christmas wouldn’t be complete at Dreamscape without this… I think I’ve mentioned I Believe in Father Christmas every December for the last 15 years, so here we go again… Toyah covers the Greg Lake 1975 classic (which I didn’t realise also features Robert Fripp until Toyah mentioned it a few years ago on Toyah’s Christmas at the Zoo) for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982. She sounds great, looks amazing and Keith Hale and Joel Bogen are having a right old festive time in the forest of lit up trees. Bravo!

Toyah @ Christmas: Pop Goes Christmas

December 24th, 2014

christmas14bThe build up to Christmas wouldn’t be complete at Dreamscape without this… I think I’ve mentioned I Believe in Father Christmas every December for the last 14 years, so here we go again… Toyah covers the Greg Lake 1975 classic (which I didn’t realise also features Robert Fripp until Toyah mentioned it a couple of years ago on Toyah’s Christmas at the Zoo) for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982. She sounds great, looks amazing and Keith Hale and Joel Bogen are having a right old festive time in the forest of lit up trees. Bravo!

Toyah Newsy Bits & Pieces!

December 17th, 2014

MM Band Services: Top 10 Christmas songs of all time: Here’s our top 10!: 8. “I Believe In Father Christmas” – Greg Lake/Toyah Wilcox/Elaine Paige “I Believe In Father Christmas” is a song by Greg Lake (most famously a member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer), with lyrics by Peter Sinfield – Continue reading…

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Oxford Mail: Big names revealed for Cropredy music festival: The Proclaimers, ex-Marillion singer Fish and Toyah Willcox are the first acts to be announced an annual music festival in Cropredy, north Oxfordshire. Fairport’s Cropredy Convention will be hosted by folk rock legends Fairport Convention from Thursday, August 13 to Saturday, August 15 – Continue reading…

Banbury Guardian: Proclaimers are walking 500 miles to Cropredy: On Saturday, Toyah Willcox will be another welcome newcomer to Cropredy when she performs with her band – Continue reading…

Belfast Telegraph: In my day: Diane Roberts of Cell Partners on the time of her life: Q: And the style, what was that like? A: Flares and duffle coats to start, then ending up with tight jeans and big hair, a la Toyah Willcox, that’s a bit of a confession there! – Continue reading…

• Edinburgh Evening News: Real Lives: ‘One-off’ Brian was home in The Dome: The man credited with turning The Dome in George Street into one of the city’s leading venues has died. A larger-than-life character, Brian Crawford’s many friends and customers ranged from royalty to sporting heroes and actors. He had a close “gang of girlfriends” who included Lorraine Chase, Cilla Black, Rula Lenska, Sheila Ferguson, Shirley Bassey, Angela Rippon, Toyah Willcox and Lorna Luft – Continue reading…

Toyah @ Christmas: Re-Joyce, Believe, Winter (11 Days To Go)

December 14th, 2014

christmas14fOnly 11 days until Christmas, why not download some festive Toyah music to help make the rest of the countdown more melodic.

1. Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter) by The Hazel O’Connor Collective, which included Toyah, was released four years ago at Christmas 2010. A charity single, raising funds for the hospice Hazel’s mum was looked after before her death. A great cause and a really good song. Download at iTunes. 2. I Believe In Father Christmas, Toyah’s version of the Greg Lake 70s festive classic (which was voted one of the greatest ever Christmas songs in a 2012 poll) has gathered quite a history over the years: It was originally recorded for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982, Safari then included it on the ‘Mayhem’ compilation album in 1985, and later it was also made available on the CD ‘Live & More’. Two Christmasses ago it was released as a standalone digital single. Download at iTunes. 3. Winter In Wonderland, One year on and there was a new digital single, no make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download at iTunes.

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Christmas Countdown: Re-Joyce, Believe, Winter

December 10th, 2013

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Yipee! It’s our first Christmas Countdown post – A great way to start, download some festive Toyah music to get you through the month.

1. Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter) by The Hazel O’Connor Collective, which included Toyah, was released three years ago at Christmas 2010. A charity single, raising funds for the hospice Hazel’s mum was looked after before her death. A great cause and a really good song. Download at iTunes. 2. I Believe In Father Christmas, Toyah’s version of the Greg Lake 70s festive classic (which was voted one of the greatest ever Christmas songs last year) has gathered quite a history over the years: It was originally recorded for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982, Safari then included it on the ‘Mayhem’ compilation album in 1985, and later it was also made available on the CD ‘Live & More’. Last year it was released as a standalone digital single. Download at iTunes. 3. Winter In Wonderland, One year on and there’s a new digital single, no make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download at iTunes.

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Classic Toyah: Pop Goes Christmas/I Believe In Father Christmas

December 18th, 2012

A great photo of Toyah, taken backstage at ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in late 1982. The song Toyah performed on the programme, ‘I Believe In Father Christmas’ was released as a digital single yesterday. Toyah’s 26th UK single, it’s available from iTunes and Amazon (and Amazon.com). Click below to zoom for the full version of the photo. (Thanks to Andi)

Toyah Newsy Bits & Pieces!

December 18th, 2012

• Toyah’s 26th UK single was released yesterday. The 1982 recording of the Greg Lake classic ‘I Believe In Father Christmas’ is now available to download from from iTunes and Amazon (it’s also available at Amazon.com for anyone outside the UK). The song was recently placed 24th in the Top 50 Best Christmas Songs Of All-Time by PRS for Music.

Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: The next airing for the three-hour Christmasfest is today at 7.30pm on Vintage TV.

BBC Radio 4: Neil Tennant’s Smash Hits Christmas: Neil Tennant had a life as a journalist before he became famous as a Pet Shop Boy. In fact, it was on a Smash Hits trip to New York that he had his big breakthrough with the record producer Bobby O. (Includes a brief clip from the programme)

The Telegraph: Today’s Radio Highlights: Thursday 20th December: Neil Tennant’s Smash Hits Christmas (Radio 4, 11.30am) makes it an even better day for 6 Music-inclined listeners to start tuning to this network.

Neil Tennant’s Smash Hits Christmas: Lots more online press and interest on this, including Radio Times, Dummy and The Stage.

The Resurrection Live Sessions: ‘Angel and Me’, from The Changeling Resurrection II UK Tour. ‘Danced’ is also available here.

Official Toyah: Toyah’s Christmas Countdown

December 14th, 2012

Toyah’s Christmas Countdown is well and truly under way at toyahwillcox.com, with the third reveal today. There’s a new box to open every day at around 1pm right through until Christmas Eve… Not only that but to celebrate its 30th anniversary ‘I Believe In Father Christmas’ is to be released as a digital single very soon.

Toyah @ Christmas: I Believe in Father Christmas

December 8th, 2012

I think I’ve mentioned I Believe in Father Christmas every December for the last 13 years, so here we go again… Toyah covers the Greg Lake 1975 classic (which I didn’t realise also features Robert Fripp until Toyah mentioned it this week on Toyah’s Christmas at the Zoo) for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982. She sounds great, looks amazing and Keith Hale and Joel Bogen are having a right old festive time in the forest of lit up trees. Bravo!