Brave New World (song)
| "Brave New World" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Toyah | ||||
| from the album The Changeling | ||||
| B-side | "Warrior Rock" | |||
| Released | May 1982 | |||
| Recorded | 1982 | |||
| Genre | New wave | |||
| Length | 5:31 (full album version) 3:41 (single and video edit) | |||
| Label | Safari | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Steve Lillywhite | |||
| Toyah singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Brave New World" on YouTube | ||||
"Brave New World" is a song by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released as a single in 1982 by Safari Records. It promoted Toyah's 1982 studio album The Changeling and was a Top 40 chart success in the UK.
Background
[edit]The song was written by Toyah Willcox and Joel Bogen, and produced by Steve Lillywhite. Toyah has described it as "a sad love song, because I wrote most of it (...) after a tremendous row with my boyfriend. But I could never do a love song true to myself, because that's being selfish. I prefer what I call open lyrics, so that the kids can fit their own feelings to them... And so [it] is a love song, because I think everyone goes through the phase when they think no one in the world knows how hurt they are – experiencing a loneliness that no one knows, but everyone knows it".[1] The singer also opined that Bogen's guitar line in the song would subsequently be copied on records by other bands, including U2.[2]
"Brave New World" was released in May 1982 as the first and only single from The Changeling. It was available as a 7" vinyl single as well as a picture disc. The cover photograph was taken by Roger Charity and features Toyah in make-up painted by the artist Caroline Cohen.[2] The single included the exclusive non-album song "Warrior Rock" on side B, which was included in the 1999 CD re-release of The Changeling. The single edit of "Brave New World" featured on the 2005 compilation The Safari Singles Collection Part 2: 1981–1983.
The single made it to the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 21 in June 1982. It also reached number 4 in the UK Independent Singles Chart. In March 2023, after its re-release on a limited 10" red vinyl, it entered a number of UK sales charts.
Music video
[edit]The "Brave New World" music video was directed by David Mallet and used a shorter version of the track. The opening scene where Toyah comes out of the sea was filmed in Hastings.[3] Other parts of the clip were filmed later that day in front of the Battersea Power Station in London, picturing Toyah riding a white horse.[4] The video was inspired by David Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes" also directed by Mallet.[5] Despite the apparent influence of Bowie's video, Toyah herself has denied any attempt to copy him: "I'd never dream of trying to be like Bowie, because he's the greatest".[1]
Track listing
[edit]- 7" single
- A. "Brave New World" – 3:41
- B. "Warrior Rock" – 3:29
- 10" single[6]
- A1. "Brave New World" (Razzmatazz Mix)
- A2. "Street Creature" (Razzmatazz Mix)
- B1. "Dawn Chorus" (6.55 Special Version)
- B2. "Ieya 1982" (Edited Version)
Personnel
[edit]- Toyah Willcox – vocals
- Joel Bogen – guitar
- Phil Spalding – bass
- Simon Phillips – drums
- Simon Darlow – keyboards
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[7] | 21 |
| UK Independent Singles[8] | 4 |
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Vinyl Singles (Official Charts Company)[9] | 2 |
| UK Physical Singles (Official Charts Company)[10] | 3 |
| UK Singles Sales (Official Charts Company)[11] | 26 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Waller, Johnny (14 August 1982). "Toyah Reveals Her Secret Desires". Sounds. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
- ^ a b "Toyah At Home: Episode #5". YouTube. 18 July 2020. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ Faith & Music. 18 September 2006. ITV1.
- ^ "Peter Watts on Twitter". Twitter. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ "Videos - Brave New World Screen Captures". www.toyah.net. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ "Toyah: Brave New World, 10" Cherry Red Coloured Vinyl EP". cherryred.co.uk. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 75: 3 June 1982 - 19 June 1982". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ "Indie Hits "T"". Cherry Red Records. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Official Vinyl Singles Chart Top 40: 17 March 2023 - 23 March 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100: 17 March 2023 - 23 March 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100: 17 March 2023 - 23 March 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
