Four from Toyah
Encyclopedia
"Four from Toyah" was the sixth UK single, and second EP by the band Toyah
, fronted by Toyah Willcox
, and was released in 1981. It was the first to feature the new band lineup of Willcox, Joel Bogen
, Phil Spalding
, Nigel Glockler
and Adrian Lee
. This was the breakthrough single for the band, reaching #4 in the UK Singles Charts on the back of its lead track, "It's a Mystery". The single also marked the band's first appearance on Top Of The Pops
.
Initially Toyah had great reservations about recording the song. "When I first heard It’s a Mistery I thought it wasn’t for me. It was writted by a friend called Keith Hale for a band called Blood Donor and the record company wanted me to cover it. ... Because I'd worked from 1977 right up to 1980 and I had an army of followers and I just knew this song wasn’t for them," she said in a 1980 interview.
"It's a Mystery" would later appear on the album Anthem
, although the other three tracks from this EP would not appear on an album until the original CD release of Anthem in 1985. Many years later, these tracks would appear on other compilations and the eventual 1999 CD re-issue of Anthem itself. They were also featured on the 2005 compilation The Safari Singles Collection Part 1: 1979-1981. In several territories, "It's a Mystery" was released as a standalone single instead of being part of an EP. Toyah has not been receiving royalties for the song even though she wrote the lyrics.
Side B
Catalogue Number: TOY1
Catalogue Number: METRONOME 0030482 [Germany], EMI 1C 006 64359 [Germany reissue], SAF 5003 [France], SAFE 1450 [Holland]
Catalogue Number: SAFARI 20709692
Produced by Nick Tauber
.
Published by Sweet 'n' Sour Songs Ltd.
Both sides ran at 33RPM. There were two variations of the single artwork - one with white lettering, and one with gold lettering.
Toyah (band)
Toyah is the name of the band fronted by Toyah Willcox between 1977 and 1983. The only other consistent band member throughout this period was Joel Bogen, Willcox's principal co-writer and guitarist.-Background :...
, fronted by Toyah Willcox
Toyah Willcox
Toyah Ann Willcox is an English actress and singer. In a career spanning more than thirty years Toyah has had 13 top 40 singles, released 22 studio albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays and ten feature films, as well as voicing and presenting numerous television shows...
, and was released in 1981. It was the first to feature the new band lineup of Willcox, Joel Bogen
Joel Bogen
Joel Bogen is an English rock and punk guitarist. He worked with Toyah Willcox from the late 1970s to 1983 as the guitar player in her eponymous band and was the co-writer on nearly all of the material they recorded. Bogen also produced Heaven, the 1997 debut album of neo soul artist Jai, for M&G...
, Phil Spalding
Phil Spalding
Philip Spalding also known as Phil Spalding, is an English bass player. He is best known as a session musician and player of Fender Precision Bass guitars...
, Nigel Glockler
Nigel Glockler
Nigel Glockler is an English drummer for the NWOBHM band, Saxon.His first professional musical experience was the UK band Krakatoa, followed by session work. He joined Toyah Willcox's band in late 1980...
and Adrian Lee
Adrian Lee
Adrian Lee is an English musician, known especially for his brass instrumentation work with several well-known acts of the 1980s.-Career:...
. This was the breakthrough single for the band, reaching #4 in the UK Singles Charts on the back of its lead track, "It's a Mystery". The single also marked the band's first appearance on Top Of The Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
.
Initially Toyah had great reservations about recording the song. "When I first heard It’s a Mistery I thought it wasn’t for me. It was writted by a friend called Keith Hale for a band called Blood Donor and the record company wanted me to cover it. ... Because I'd worked from 1977 right up to 1980 and I had an army of followers and I just knew this song wasn’t for them," she said in a 1980 interview.
"It's a Mystery" would later appear on the album Anthem
Anthem (Toyah album)
Anthem was Toyah's most successful album to date, propelling them into both the UK Album Charts as well as the singles charts with releases of "It's a Mystery" and "I Want To Be Free"...
, although the other three tracks from this EP would not appear on an album until the original CD release of Anthem in 1985. Many years later, these tracks would appear on other compilations and the eventual 1999 CD re-issue of Anthem itself. They were also featured on the 2005 compilation The Safari Singles Collection Part 1: 1979-1981. In several territories, "It's a Mystery" was released as a standalone single instead of being part of an EP. Toyah has not been receiving royalties for the song even though she wrote the lyrics.
Original 7" EP
Side A- It's a Mystery (Keith Hale)
- Revelations (Joel BogenJoel BogenJoel Bogen is an English rock and punk guitarist. He worked with Toyah Willcox from the late 1970s to 1983 as the guitar player in her eponymous band and was the co-writer on nearly all of the material they recorded. Bogen also produced Heaven, the 1997 debut album of neo soul artist Jai, for M&G...
/ Toyah WillcoxToyah WillcoxToyah Ann Willcox is an English actress and singer. In a career spanning more than thirty years Toyah has had 13 top 40 singles, released 22 studio albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays and ten feature films, as well as voicing and presenting numerous television shows...
)
Side B
- War Boys (Toyah Willcox)
- Angels and Demons (Toyah Willcox / Keith Hale)
Catalogue Number: TOY1
German/French/Dutch 7" Vinyl
- A: It's a Mystery (Keith Hale)
- B: War Boys (Toyah Willcox)
Catalogue Number: METRONOME 0030482 [Germany], EMI 1C 006 64359 [Germany reissue], SAF 5003 [France], SAFE 1450 [Holland]
Australian 7" Vinyl
- A: It's a Mystery (Keith Hale)
- AA: Elocution Lesson (Toyah Willcox / Joel Bogen)
Catalogue Number: SAFARI 20709692
Produced by Nick Tauber
Nick Tauber
Nick Tauber is a British record producer best known for his work with Thin Lizzy, Toyah and Marillion in the 1970s and 1980s.Nick Tauber continues to manage, produce, and consult with acts/artists/and producers. In the late 1990s, Tauber was involved with British pop/punk act Kowloon, guiding them...
.
Published by Sweet 'n' Sour Songs Ltd.
Both sides ran at 33RPM. There were two variations of the single artwork - one with white lettering, and one with gold lettering.
Personnel
- Toyah Willcox: vocals
- Joel BogenJoel BogenJoel Bogen is an English rock and punk guitarist. He worked with Toyah Willcox from the late 1970s to 1983 as the guitar player in her eponymous band and was the co-writer on nearly all of the material they recorded. Bogen also produced Heaven, the 1997 debut album of neo soul artist Jai, for M&G...
: guitar - Phil SpaldingPhil SpaldingPhilip Spalding also known as Phil Spalding, is an English bass player. He is best known as a session musician and player of Fender Precision Bass guitars...
: bass - Nigel GlocklerNigel GlocklerNigel Glockler is an English drummer for the NWOBHM band, Saxon.His first professional musical experience was the UK band Krakatoa, followed by session work. He joined Toyah Willcox's band in late 1980...
: drums - Adrian LeeAdrian LeeAdrian Lee is an English musician, known especially for his brass instrumentation work with several well-known acts of the 1980s.-Career:...
: keyboards